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2018 49th Annual World Series of Poker The Official WSOP Live Updates

Thursday, June 14, 2018 to Saturday, June 16, 2018

Event #31: $1,500 Seven Card Stud

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  • Buy-in: $1,500
  • Prizepool: $418,500
  • Entries: 310
  • Remaining: 0

EVENT UPDATES

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Sunday, June 17, 2018 1:17 AM Local Time
Steven Albini Denies Jeff Lisandro in Heads-Up of Event #31: $1,500 Stud

Steven Albini

The $1,500 Stud event has found its champion at the 2018 World Series of Poker and what a climactic finale it was. Chicago's Steven Albini emerged victorious after outlasting an incredibly experienced competition including two six-time bracelet winners. Albini takes home his first gold and the $105,629 top-prize.

"I've been playing stud my whole life. I love it, so I'm very comfortable playing stud. And I ran pretty f***ing good as well," Albini said.

While he called himself a mediocre player, Albini proved that he can successfully measure his skills with the heavyweights. Albini conquered a heads-up match against as tough of an opponent as it gets. He topped Jeff Lisandro, one of the all-time greats who has been decorated in stud events multiple times.

The final duel started with a practically even chip-spread. A two-hour battle followed with Albini and Lisandro switching the lead back and forth. Albini had a slow start to the heads-up as Lisandro was on the better side of board runouts. Lisandro was getting closer to becoming the first non-American player to win seven bracelets, but Albini had a tough skin. He bounced back, took over the lead and eventually finished Lisandro off, denying his historic coronation.

"I don't have that much heads-up stud experience," Albini admitted. However, he had an excellent mentor in former Poker Players' Championship winner Matt Ashton. "He and I had some conversation about what raising ranges would look like. I was using the sort of thumbnail version of his heads-up stud game strategy."

Networking has been Albini's advantage through endless years of playing poker. "There's a very active mixed game community in Chicago," Albini said, crediting Brandon Shack-Harris, Eric Rodawig and Matt Grapenthien for his development as a player. "Stud has been popular forever in Chicago. It's one of the places where people actively choose to play stud."

To find a city where stud games are pulsing isn't easy these days and Albini is grateful for the opportunity he's been given. Now he converted his amassed knowledge into engraving his name among the poker greats. "I owe an awful lot of my own development as a player to my peer group, to my group of friends," Albini said.

Albini wasn't scared of a final table competition that involved three multiple WSOP winners including last year's Player of the Year Chris Ferguson. Ferguson was a huge leader at the first stage, but a key hand towards the end of the fourth level saw Albini bite into his stack and take over the chip lead. Albini's board looked like a flush but he made a full house against Ferguson's ace-high flush in an inflated pot that saw Ferguson three-bet on the river.

"There was a hand that we played on Day 2 when he rivered aces full with a board that was very similar. In that hand, he whiffed a check-raise on the river. The way the hand played out was almost identical," Albini revealed. The dynamics of the previous confrontation convinced him to just call as he saw no value in four-betting, thinking that Ferguson wouldn't call with worse.

Ferguson was eventually coolered one more time and bowed out in fourth place. He was soon followed to the rail by Katherine Fleck who managed to outlast Ferguson in a battle of short stacks, laddering to the bronze place.

The final table also featured two-time bracelet winner Frankie O'Dell who came with the shortest stack. O'Dell kept successfully doubling and sailed through to fifth place for $21,035, finishing ahead of Paul Sexton (6th for 15,096), Michael Moore (7th for $11,095), Esther Rossi (8th for $8,355) and Stephen Rivers (9th for $6,451).

Event #31: $1,500 Stud final table results:

PositionPlayerCountryPrize
1Steven AlbiniUnited States$105,629
2Jeff LisandroAustralia$65,282
3Katherine FleckUnited States$43,765
4Chris FergusonUnited States$29,999
5Frankie O'DellUnited States$21,035
6Paul SextonUnited States$15,096
7Michael MooreUnited States$11,095
8Esther RossiUnited States$8,355
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:45 PM Local Time
Jeff Lisandro Eliminated in 2nd Place ($65,282)

Jeff Lisandro

Within two hands, the short stack of Jeff Lisandro has melted and Steven Albini was crowned the champion with the words "this is fuckin' awesome"!

Hand #1:

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

In a limped pot, Lisandro bet fourth and Albini called before doing so again on fifth to seventh. Albini announced two pair and showed the     for two pair, Lisandro mucked the     for a pair of eights.

Hand #2:

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Lisandro was down to last 40,000 and he put them into the middle on the next hand. Albini was slightly ahead with ace-high and caught a pair of tens to improve. Lisandro bricked the whole run out and has to settle for second place and a payday of $65,282. Albini will shortly be posing for the winner shots, gets his first gold bracelet and $105,629 for his efforts.

A recap of today's action is to follow.

Steven Albini2,325,000425,000
Jeff Lisandro0-450,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:37 PM Local Time
Albini Can't Pull the Trigger

Jeff Lisandro raised when Steven Albini completed and it looked that the money would go in. Lisandro continued on fourth and Albini called again. Lisandro blasted another barrel on fifth, leaving himself just one extra shell. Albini, however, let his hand go and Lisandro picked up some vital chips without opening his hole cards.

Jeff Lisandro:    /    
Steven Albini:    /     - fold

Steven Albini1,900,000100,000
Jeff Lisandro450,000-80,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:29 PM Local Time
Albini Closer to the Pinnacle

Steven Albini turned it around and now sits on 1.8 million while Jeff Lisandro maneuvers less than a third of that.

Albini won some more chips in a pot that saw Lisandro bet on fourth and fifth before Albini paired his eight on sixth. No other bets were made and Albini took it down with eights and fours.

Jeff Lisandro:     /     
Steven Albini:     /     

Steven Albini1,800,000245,000
Jeff Lisandro530,000-240,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:28 PM Local Time
Albini Jumps Into Bigger Lead

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Steven Albini completed with the eight and Jeff Lisandro called with a six. Both checked on fourth and Lisandro bet fifth, Albini called. On sixth, Albini paired his jack and bet, Lisandro called. There was no betting action on seventh and Albini showed     to win the pot.

Steven Albini1,555,000355,000
Jeff Lisandro770,000-430,000
Playtika - Jason Alexander
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:21 PM Local Time
And They're Tied Again

Steven Albini bounced back after winning a few smaller pots. With only 23 big bets in play, any given situation can have a tremendous impact on the final outcome. Albini has been often utilizing a raise against Jeff Lisandro's complete and his recent run helped him to climb back to even.

He went for it again with the   out and Lisandro called with a nine. Albini continued on fourth and fifth and Lisandro couldn't call the second barrel.

Jeff Lisandro:    /     - fold
Steven Albini:    /    

Jeff Lisandro1,200,000-270,000
Steven Albini1,200,000345,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:14 PM Local Time
Albini Claws Some Back with a Pair

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Steven Albini completed and Jeff Lisandro called. Both paired their card on fourth and Albini made a full bet, Lisandro raised and Albini called. Fifth to seventh were then checked down and Albini showed the     as winning hand.

Jeff Lisandro1,470,000-260,000
Steven Albini855,000260,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:08 PM Local Time
Lisandro Pushing Forward

Jeff Lisandro has won a few smaller pots in a row and tackled Steven Albini down to last six big bets.

Lisandro's latest bite came in a hand that started with the Australian completing with   and calling when Albini raised the  .

Lisandro got a more favorable runout in   and   and elected to lead on both streets. Albini called on fourth but threw his cards away on fifth.

Jeff Lisandro:    /    
Steven Albini:    /    

Jeff Lisandro1,730,000350,000
Steven Albini595,000-350,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 11:00 PM Local Time
Decent Runout for Lisandro

While the vast majority of pots as of recently failed to get past fifth, Jeff Lisandro clawed back most of them and established a small lead once more.

Jeff Lisandro:    /     
Steven Albini:    /      fold

This very hand was a prime example of the run good of Lisandro, who called the completion of Albini and did so on fourth when facing a bet. Lisandro paired his four and bet fifth, received a call and then further improved to trips fours in order to bet and force an instant fold.

Jeff Lisandro1,380,000180,000
Steven Albini945,000-255,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:50 PM Local Time
It's All Square

Jeff Lisandro just scooped a sizeable pot and the heads-up chip-distribution is now virtually even.

Lisandro called when Steven Albini completed and called again on fourth. Lisandro spiked an ace to his two previous wheel cards and led out. Albini called and then paid two more bets on sixth and seventh. Lisandro showed aces up and raked in the pot.

Jeff Lisandro:     /     
Steven Albini:     /     

Jeff Lisandro1,200,000450,000
Steven Albini1,200,000-375,000
Gorilla Gaming
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:46 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 50000/100000
Ante: 10000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:45 PM Local Time
Albini Takes Two

Steven Albini

Steven Albini:    /      /  
Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  

Steven Albini completed and Jeff Lisandro called. Albini bet all the way with Lisandro calling and was shown the     for kings up by Albini.

Steven Albini:    /      /  
Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  

Albini paired his ten on fifth and bet. Lisandro called. Albini bet again sixth and was called before he then check-called a bet on seventh. Albini showed the     for tens and treys, and that won the pot.

Steven Albini1,575,000475,000
Jeff Lisandro750,000-550,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:42 PM Local Time
Back and Forth

Jeff Lisandro lost his lead for a moment but he instantly reclaimed it in a raised pot. Lisandro made the completion and then called pre and things got complicated on the following streets.

Steven Albini fired again on fourth, getting one more call. Lisandro then paired his eight and led out but Albini wasn't scared and opted to raise. Lisandro called. Both players slowed down on sixth street and Lisandro tapped the river. Albini went for value but he ran into a straight.

Jeff Lisandro:     /     
Steven Albini:     /     

Jeff Lisandro1,300,000370,000
Steven Albini1,100,000-295,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:36 PM Local Time
Albini Flushes Lisandro Once More

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Jeff Lisandro completed and Steven Albini raised. Lisandro made it three bets and was called. Lisandro bet fourth when both players picked up a queen and bet fifth too, picking up a call on each. Albini paired his queen on sixth and bet. Lisandro called. After seventh, Albini's bet was called once again and he turned over     for a flush to regain the lead.

Steven Albini1,395,000395,000
Jeff Lisandro930,000-370,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:28 PM Local Time
Albini Narrows the Gap

Jeff Lisandro completed and Steven Albini raised it up with a deuce out. Lisandro called and caught a suited one-gapper. He called one more bet but gave up when Albini barreled on fifth street.

Jeff Lisandro:    /     - fold
Steven Albini:    /    

Jeff Lisandro1,300,000-330,000
Steven Albini1,000,000305,000
Gorilla Gaming
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:22 PM Local Time
Even More for Lisandro

Jeff Lisandro

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Jeff Lisandro completed with a ten and Steven Albini called. Lisandro check-raised on fourth with a queen and Albini called. On fifth, Albini paired his jack and checked. Lisandro checked behind and received an ace on sixth. Albini checked, Lisandro bet, and Albini came along.

On seventh, Albini checked and folded to a bet.

Jeff Lisandro1,630,000270,000
Steven Albini695,000-270,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:15 PM Local Time
Lisandro Claims Some Back

Steven Albini completed and fired on the three following rounds, earning calls along the way. Both players checked the river and Albini announced a pair of queens. Lisandro, however, had him beat.

Steven Albini:     /     
Jeff Lisandro:     /     

Lisandro claimed a solid pot to restore a 3-2 lead.

Jeff Lisandro1,360,000225,000
Steven Albini965,000-225,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:13 PM Local Time
Albini Regains The Lead With a Flush

Jeff Lisandro:    /      /  
Steven Albini:    /      /  

Jeff Lisandro completed, Steven Albini raised, and Lisandro made it three bets to pick up a call. Lisandro bet fourth and Albini raised. Lisandro called. On fifth, Albini bet and Lisandro called before Albini check-called a bet on sixth. On seventh, Albini bet and Lisandro called to get shown the     for a flush.

That massive pot vaulted Albini back into a narrow lead.

Steven Albini1,190,000455,000
Jeff Lisandro1,135,000-455,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:06 PM Local Time
Pair of Queens for Albini

In a completed pot, Jeff Lisandro bet with ace-five on fourth and received a call from Steven Albini. Fifth street brought a check from Lisandro and Albini checked back with three to a straight.

Albini fired on sixth when Lisandro checked again and Lisandro accepted the price. Albini thought for a moment on the river but then checked back to show a pair of queens for the winner.

Jeff Lisandro:     /     
Steven Albini:     /     

Jeff Lisandro1,590,000-160,000
Steven Albini735,000160,000
Saturday, June 16, 2018 10:00 PM Local Time
Bad Runouts for Albini

Steven Albini:    /     - fold
Jeff Lisandro:    /    

Steven Albini completed with the ace and Jeff Lisandro called. Albini bet fourth and Lisandro called before picking up a third heart on fifth. Albini checked and folded to a bet.

Steven Albini:    /     - fold
Jeff Lisandro:    /    

Lisandro called with the eight, Albini raised, and Lisandro called. Lisandro check-called fourth and paired his eight on fifth. A bet did the trick to force a quick fold from Albini.

Jeff Lisandro1,750,000190,000
Steven Albini575,000-190,000
Gorilla Gaming
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