Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix

Vladimir Shchemelev burst onto the World Series of Poker stage in 2010 when he finished runner-up in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. Although he had made a WSOP final table previously, his second-place finish on the national stage in the PPC proved to be a sign of things to come for the 44-year-old banker, as Shchemelev has amassed 27 WSOP cashes since then. Among those cashes have been eight more final tables made. He won his first bracelet in 2013 and has added a second piece of jewelry with his win in Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix.

When asked how winning his second bracelet felt in comparison to his first, Shchemelev said through a translator, "Very calm. Not as much pressure as the first time. The first bracelet was tough. It took me like nine final tables before I won my first bracelet. It was important for me to win my first bracelet, so I was kind of nervous. Today, I was very calm."

His first bracelet came in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, one of the three variants of Omaha Hi-Lo in this event, along with Limit Omaha Hi-Lo and Big O. When asked which game he felt was his best, Shchemelev (via translator) said "I hate them all," drawing huge laughs from his rail. "I am kidding. I am very comfortable with all the games."

Shchemelev bagged a modest stack on Day 1 and was 72nd in chips of the remaining 224 players entering Day 2. He cruised into the money from that point and was 7th of 29 players remaining for Day 3. He steadily ascended the chip counts and was second when the final table was reached. He and eventual runner-up Howard Smith traded the chip lead back and forth throughout the final table before the inevitable heads-up battle began. Shchemelev began at a slight chip disadvantage but quickly took the chip lead. Smith battled back to get things even, but Shchemelev scored the victory shortly thereafter.

PLO-8

Howard Smith raised to 120,000 from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev called from the big blind.

The flop fell     and Shchemelev check-called 200,000 from Smith. Both players checked the   turn and   river.

Shchemelev showed      for a king-high straight, Smith mucked, and Shchemelev won the pot. Along with a few other pots of similar size, Shchemelev has extended his lead to about 4:1.

Vladimir Shchemelev	4,100,000	980,000
Howard Smith	1,060,000	-980,000

Omaha-8

Howard Smith raised from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev defended.

The flop fell     and Shchemelev bet. Smith called, the   turn fell and both players checked.

The river was the  , Shchemelev bet and Smith called.

Shchemelev showed      for a queen-high straight, besting Smith's      for a jack-high straight.

Vladimir Shchemelev	2,860,000	460,000
Howard Smith	2,300,000	-460,000

Big O

Vladimir Shchemelev limped from the button and Howard Smith checked his option.

The flop fell     and Smith checked. Shchemelev bet 75,000, Smith check-raised pot to 305,000, and Shchemelev called. The the turn was the   and Smith check-called 300,000 from Shchemelev. The river was the   and Smith led for 500,000. Shchemelev called instantly.

Smith showed       for tens and sixes, but Shchemelev tabled       for a set of queens to win the pot.

Vladimir Shchemelev	3,780,000	860,000
Howard Smith	1,380,000	-860,000

Omaha-8

Howard Smith raised from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev three-bet from the big blind. Smith called.

The flop fell     and Shchemelev bet. Smith called, the turn was the  , and Shchemelev check-called a bet from Smith. The river was the   and both checked.

Shchemelev showed      for queens and threes and won the pot.

Howard Smith	2,785,000	-360,000
Vladimir Shchemelev	2,375,000	360,000

Omaha-8

Howard Smith and Nikolai Yakovenko got all the chips in the middle before the flop with Yakovenko at risk.

Smith:     
Yakovenko:     

The board ran out       to give Smith a straight and a live four to send Yakovenko to the cage.

Nikolai Yakovenko

0

-530,000

PLO-8

Nikolai Yakovenko raised from the button to 85,000, and Howard Smith called from the big blind.

The flop fell    , and Smith checked to Yakovenko, who bet 95,000. Smith check-raised pot, and Yakovenko folded.

Howard Smith	2,700,000	340,000
Nikolai Yakovenko	530,000	-420,000

Omaha-8

Igor Sharaskin raised from the button, and Howard Smith called from the big blind.

The flop came    , and Smith checked. Sharaskin bet, Smith check-raised, and Sharaskin called.

The turn brought the  , Smith bet, and Sharaskin called.

The river was the  , and Smith bet again, sending Sharaskin into the tank. He ultimately called, and Smith tabled      for a set of queens and seven-six low. Sharaskin mucked and was left with only 50,000 chips.

Howard Smith	1,570,000	140,000
Igor Sharaskin	50,000	-625,000

Omaha-8

Igor Sharaskin raised from the button, and Howard Smith called from the big blind.

The flop came    , and both players checked. The turn brought the  , and Smith checked. Sharaskin bet, and Smith called. The river was the  , and Smith bet. Sharaskin raised, Smith three-bet, and Sharaskin went into the tank. Ultimately, he folded, and Smith took the pot.

Howard Smith	1,580,000	330,000
Igor Sharaskin	675,000	-820,000

The players are in the midst of their final 15-minute break of the night.

Vladimir Shchemelev	1,635,000	-55,000
Igor Sharaskin	1,495,000	0
Howard Smith	1,250,000	0
Nikolai Yakovenko	815,000	65,000