Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:59 AM Local Time
John Racener Wins Event #17: $10,000 Dealer's Choice 6-Handed Championship
It was a long road for John Racener to win his first bracelet, and it took him all ten levels of play today to finally get to the top of that mountain. Racener started as the chip leader, but he was all over the map today. At one point just before dinner, he slipped to the bottom of the chip counts, then bounced right back up to the top. After Mike Matusow was eliminated from the tournament, it seemed like Racener just won every pot. He eliminated the last three players in very quick fashion to lock up the win, the bracelet, and the $273,962 prize.
"I've been wanting this forever," Racener said about his victory. "I've got so many seconds and thirds. I have over $10 million in earnings, but no gold. I've just been wanting to win so bad. I didn't even look at the prize pool. I didn't even know what first place was. I just wanted to win the bracelet. It's all I really cared about. I don't show much emotion, but when I finally got it, then it was time to celebrate."
It wasn't the Racener show all day though. Dropping early were Shawn Buchanan and Ben Yu. Buchanan dropped to Viacheslav Zhukov in a hand of Badeucey, while Yu was eliminated by Matusow in a hand of Stud Hi-Lo Eight or Better. James Obst took a couple successive beats, opted to change the game to No-Limit Hold'em and was drawn out by Matusow when his fell behind to Matusow's on the river. This brought the final seven players to the unofficial final table where Racener held a slight chip lead.
| Position | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | John Racener | United States | $273,962 |
| 2 | Viacheslav Zhukov | Russia | $169,323 |
| 3 | Chris Klodnicki | United States | $117,786 |
| 4 | Dennis Eichhorn | United States | $83,263 |
| 5 | Mike Matusow | United States | $59,827 |
| 6 | Schuyler Thornton | United States | $43,707 |
It was Eric Crain who fell first at the unofficial final table when Matusow completed a nine Badugi and ninety-five low to Crain's ninety-seven low in Badacey. The final six players played for roughly an hour and a half before Schuyler Thornton fell on the short stack and was eliminated in a hand of Badacey as well. Matusow and Racener split up his chips with a Badugi and an eighty-seven low respectively and he hit the rail.
The final five players then reached a stalemate, with players doubling up, dropping chips, trading the chip lead over and over again for over five hours. It was Matusow who would fall first though. He ran into the wheel of Zhukov during a hand of A-5 Triple Draw.
Racener then eliminated the final three players in a span of less than ten hands to close out the tournament. First was Dennis Eichhorn, who couldn't catch up to Racner's eighty-six low in a hand of Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball. With that hand Racener took the massive chip lead, with over a million more than the next player at the table. He opted to change the game to No-Limit Hold'em and ended the tournament in three hands. Chris Klodnicki shoved all in with the and Racener called him down with the and held through. On the last hand, Zhukov moved all in with pocket sevens, but couldn't win a race against Racener's . Racener flopped Zhukov to just one out and he did not catch it.
"You have to plan for success," Racener said. "I always said to myself that I wanted to win my first bracelet for my Mom. She's always been my biggest fan, and she still is from up above. No matter what time of the day it was back home, with the three-hour time span, she would always stay up and sweat me online all night. Even if she had to get up for work at 8 a.m. She would stay up and sweat me until she had to go to work. I just really wanted to win the first one for her."
With that, Racener locked up his very first bracelet, over six years after his November Nine run and second-place finish. He took home $273,962 for the victory, but more importantly, the sense of accomplishment that goes along with it. For him that was what was most important.
"I said to myself coming out here this year that I'm going to bring some white t-shirts. I'm going to bring a magic marker, and I'm going to write 'For Mom' on the shirt. I go I' bet you I'm going to win that tournament if I do that.' Just for planning for success. Just watching a lot of motivational and successful videos. They say you've got to plan for success, and I've been wanting to do this for years now."
For Racener, taking the bracelet home for his mother was what he wanted the most.
"She passed away about three-four years ago and I've been wanting to do it and I never did it. I said you know what I'm going to man up, I'm going to balls up, and I'm going to do it this year and boom. First time I wore the t-shirt, I won. She's my biggest fan, still is, and she is happy as hell right now. So is my Dad up there."
Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:21 AM Local Time
Viacheslav Zhukov Eliminated in 2nd Place ($169,323)
No-Limit Hold'em
On the first hand of heads-up play, John Racener raised all in from the button. Viacheslav Zhukov called all in from the big blind for about 650,000 with , flipping with Racener's .
The flop fell , excellent for Racener's hand.
"He's got one out," Racener told his rail.
Those outs increased when the turn paired the board, but the river was the , giving Racener jacks full of fives to win the pot and eliminate Zhukov in second place.
| John Racener | 5,100,000 | 675,000  |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 0 | -675,000  |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:18 AM Local Time
Chris Klodnicki Eliminated in 3rd Place ($117,786)
No-Limit Hold'em
Racener thought for a moment about game selection.
"I'm gonna go with my best game," he said slapping down the No-Limit Hold'em plaque.
Chris Klodnicki shoved all in from the button. Action folded to John Racener. He asked for a count, then decided to call.
Racener:
Klodnicki:
The board ran out giving Racener the best pair of tens and eliminating Klodnicki from the tournament. He will go home with third place and collect $117,786.
| John Racener | 4,425,000 | 775,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 675,000 | -225,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 0 | -610,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:13 AM Local Time
Racener Pulling Away
Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball
Chris Klodnicki raised to 125,000 from the button and John Racener called from the big blind.
Racener drew two, Klodnicki drew three, and Racener bet the pot of 275,000. Klodnicki called after a few moments.
Both players drew one, Racener bet 225,000 and Klodnicki called.
Both players drew one again and Racener bet the pot. Klodnicki folded instantly, surrendering the pot to Racener.
| John Racener | 3,650,000 | 650,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 610,000 | -690,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:10 AM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 100000/200000
Ante: 0
Sunday, June 11, 2017 1:06 AM Local Time
Dennis Eichhorn Eliminated in 4th Place ($83,263)
Pot-Limit 2-7 Lowball
Action folded around to Dennis Eichhorn on the button. He raised to pot, which was 140,000. Next to act was John Racener who repot to 460,000. Eichhorn put in another pot which moved him all in and Racener called.
Racener took one while Eichhorn took two on the first draw. On the second draw Racener stood pat, and Eichhorn went into the tank. Eventually, he settled on only drawing one card. On the third draw, Racener stood pat and Eichhorn opted to take one. Racener showed for a made eighty-six. Eichhorn showed and was already drawing dead to Racener's eighty-six. Eichhorn's final card was the but that didn't change anything. He was eliminated in 4th place and collected $83,263 for his efforts.
| John Racener | 3,000,000 | 1,050,000 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 0 | -860,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:58 AM Local Time
Zhukov Doubles Through Klodnicki
No-Limit Hold'em
Chris Klodnicki raised all in from the small blind, and Viacheslav Zhukov called all in from the big blind for 450,000 with , leading Klodnicki's .
The flop came down , giving Klodnicki the lead with top two pair. The turn fell, giving Zhukov a queen-high straight to take the lead back. The river was the , giving Zhukov the double-up.
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,300,000 | -400,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 900,000 | 165,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:55 AM Local Time
Racener Flushes Klodnicki
No-Limit Hold'em
From the small blind, John Racener limped in, and Chris Klodnicki checked his option in the big blind.
On the flop, Racener led with a bet of 90,000. Klodnicki raised to 200,000. Racener thought for a moment, then called.
On the turn and the river, both players checked it down. Racener showed for a flush, and that was good enough to take down the pot.
| John Racener | 1,950,000 | 285,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,700,000 | -120,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:52 AM Local Time
Eichhorn Doubles Through Zhukov
Limit Hold'em
Viacheslav Zhukov raised from the small blind, Dennis Eichhorn three-bet from the big blind, Zhukov four-bet, Eichhorn five-bet, and Zhukov called.
The flop came down , Zhukov bet, and Eichhorn called all in for 30,000.
Zhukov:
Eichhorn:
The turn and river completed the board, giving Eichhorn aces and sevens to double through Zhukov.
| Dennis Eichhorn | 860,000 | 460,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 735,000 | -615,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:47 AM Local Time
Eichhorn Back to Peanuts
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Regular
Chris Klodnicki: / /
Dennis Eichhorn: / /
With the , Klodnicki brought-in. Eichhorn completed, and Klodnicki called. On fourth street, Eichhorn bet, and Klodnicki called. On fifth street, both players checked. On sixth street, Eichhorn bet, and Klodnicki called. On seventh street, Klodnicki bet.
Eichhorn went into the tank. He laughed to himself. "Oh, I think I missed a check," he said. "Okay, I have to call."
He threw in the chips for a call, and Klodnicki turned up for a pair of fives and a nine-eight low. That was good enough to scoop the pot from Eichhorn, who showed for a pair of fours and a ten-eight low.
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,820,000 | 420,000 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 400,000 | -300,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:39 AM Local Time
Mike Matusow Eliminated in 5th Place ($59,827)
A-5 Triple Draw
Chris Klodnicki raised from the button, Mike Matusow called from the small blind, and Viacheslav Zhukov called from the big blind.
Each player drew two, Matusow checked, Zhukov bet, Klodnicki folded, and Matusow called.
Both players drew one, Matusow bet, Zhukov raised, and Matusow called all in.
Both players stood pat, and Zhukov fanned for the wheel, Matusow mucked (later saying he had a seven) and was eliminated in fifth place.
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,400,000 | -250,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 1,350,000 | 580,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 0 | -640,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:34 AM Local Time
Eichhorn Picks the Game and Doubles
A-5 Triple Draw
David Eichhorn picked the game of A-5 Triple Draw.
"You're supposed to pick the least-volatile game and you picked the most," Matusow said.
"I thought very carefully about this," Eichhorn said.
On the first hand, Eichhorn raised. Racener made it three bets, and Eichhorn called.
Eichhorn took one, while Racener took two. On the second draw, Eichhorn took one again, while Racener took two again. On the last draw, Eichhorn stood pat, while Racener thought, then took one.
"I might be drawing dead," Racener said. Eichhorn showed . Racener tried to muck his cards but this caused some controversy at the table, since an all-in-and-call must have both hands shown in order to prevent collusion. Eventually, the players at the table decided to let it go and Racener's hand was mucked.
"You think I'm trying to give him chips?" Racener asked. "Trust me, no one wants to win this tournament more than me."
| John Racener | 1,665,000 | -185,000 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 525,000 | 275,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:17 AM Local Time
Zhukov Doubles Through Racener
Big-O
John Racener raised to 95,000 from under the gun, Viacheslav Zhukov reraised all in from the small blind for 365,000, and Racener called.
Racener:
Zhukov:
The board came down , giving Zhukov nines and fives with the nut low to scoop the pot and double up.
"Ace-ace double-suited and drawing almost dead on the flop," said Mike Matusow after the hand. "We are playing some skilled poker, ladies and gentlemen!"
| John Racener | 1,850,000 | -150,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 770,000 | 295,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:10 AM Local Time
"Now That's What I Call A Triple-Up!"
No-Limit Hold'em
John Racener opened with a raise to 90,000. Next to act was Chris Klodnicki on the button, and he raised to 300,000. In the small blind, Matusow moved all in for his final 165,000. Racener folded, leaving Klodnicki and Matusow heads-up.
Matusow:
Klodnicki:
The board ran out , leaving Klodnicki drawing dead on the turn. "Now that's what I call a triple-up!" Matusow shouted. "I finally pick up queens in the small blind after a raise and a reraise. Now I got 12 minutes to become the chip leader."
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,425,000 | -235,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 505,000 | 220,000 |
Sunday, June 11, 2017 12:01 AM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 80000/160000
Ante: 0
Saturday, June 10, 2017 11:52 PM Local Time
Break
The players are on a 15-minute break.
| John Racener | 1,760,000 | 0 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,660,000 | 0 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 920,000 | 0 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 475,000 | 0 |
| Mike Matusow | 285,000 | 0 |
Saturday, June 10, 2017 11:50 PM Local Time
Matsuow and Zhukov All In and Survive
Badacey
Mike Matusow raised from under the gun, Viacheslav Zhukov called from the cutoff, and Dennis Eichhorn called from the button.
Each drew two, Matusow bet, and both opponents called.
Matusow and Zhukov drew two, Eichhorn drew one, Matusow bet his remaining 79,000, Zhukov raised all in for 173,000, and Eichhorn called.
Matusow and Zhukov stood pat, while Eichhorn drew one.
Matusow showed , Zhukov showed , and Eichhorn tabled .
Zhukov took half the pot with an eight badugi, while Matusow and Eichhorn split the low.
| John Racener | 1,760,000 | 30,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,660,000 | 10,000 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 920,000 | -40,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 475,000 | -25,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 285,000 | 25,000 |
Saturday, June 10, 2017 11:34 PM Local Time
Chip Counts
| John Racener | 1,730,000 | -30,000 |
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,650,000 | 310,000 |
| Dennis Eichhorn | 960,000 | -160,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 500,000 | -200,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 260,000 | 109,000 |
Saturday, June 10, 2017 11:28 PM Local Time
Eichhorn Gets There to Spoil Matusow's Double
Badacey
Dennis Eichhorn raised. Action folded around to Mike Matusow in the small blind, and he called for the remainder of his stack. Viacheslav Zhukov also called from the big blind. On the first draw, Matusow took two, Zhukov took three, and Eichhorn took two.
"I bet," Matusow joked.
Zhukov checked the side action over to Eichhorn, who bet. Zhukov folded. On the second draw, Matusow stood pat, while Eichhorn took one.
"Oh lord, it's hard to be humble," Matusow started singing. "When you make great folds and you give yourself a chance!"
Matusow stood pat again, and Eichhorn went into the tank.
"Oh come on man, I'm pat and the clock is ticking," Matusow said. "Make a decision, already."
Eventually, Eichhorn decided to take one card.
Matusow turned up for a wheel and a three-card four. Eichhorn, on the other hand, turned over for a three-card six, though he was drawing dead on the low side. Eichhorn sweated his last card and flipped up the showing he made a seven badugi. That was good enough to take half the pot and spoil Matusow's bid to double up.
| Dennis Eichhorn | 1,340,000 | -40,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 151,000 | 31,000 |
Saturday, June 10, 2017 11:19 PM Local Time
Big Pot for Klodnicki
Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Regular
Klodnicki: / /
Matusow: / - fold
Zhukov: / /
Chris Klodnicki completed on third street, Mike Matusow called, and Viacheslav Zhukov called.
Zhukov took the on-board lead on fourth street and bet. Klodnicki called, and Matusow tank-folded. Zhukov bet on fifth and sixth streets, Klodnicki check-called both, and on seventh street, Klodnicki led out. Zhukov called.
Klodnicki tabled for aces and deuces with an eight-low, Zhukov mucked, and Klodnicki won the pot.
| Chris Klodnicki | 1,160,000 | 460,000 |
| Viacheslav Zhukov | 860,000 | -640,000 |
| Mike Matusow | 120,000 | -160,000 |