Event #73: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT - World Championship Dia 7 | 2019 World Series of Poker

2019-07-12 22:09 UTC-7

Hossein Ensan Looks to Add a WSOP Main Event Bracelet to His Decorated Resume

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Born in Iran, 55 year old Hossein Ensan moved to Germany at the age of 25 and has been crushing the poker scene since 2013, although he started playing when he was just 18 years old.

Ensan started out with mixed game variants when he was a kid, eventually honing his hold'em skills and going on a tear in Europe. "I love poker," smiled Ensan. He has accumulated over $2.6 million in earnings and earned a World Series of Poker Circuit ring in 2017 in Rozvadov in Event #11: €1,650 No Limit Hold'em Main Event for €184,812.

He finished in third place in the 2014 European Poker Tour (EPT) € 5,300 Main Event in Barcelona for €652,667. Since Ensan came just short of winning his first EPT title in that year, he decided to give it another shot in 2015 in the €5,300 EPT Prague Main Event and took the whole thing down for €754,510, making it his biggest career score.

Now, Ensan is on poker's biggest stage and looks to add a WSOP bracelet to his decorated resume.

When asked if he is nervous, Ensan told PokerNews: "I am experienced since 2002 in hold'em. Experience is more important than books. Poker is from skill, luck, good run and strategy. So, this is the point."

Winning the entire Main Event generally comes with added pressure of being an ambassador, and Ensan is certainly capable of this. The current chip leader mingling with everyone and enjoying the short breaks is a bit of a rare sight these days.

Ensan also mentioned that winning the Main Event would be validation for the hard work he has put in this last year. "This confirms my game, and I know I can play poker. This is nice!" exclaimed Ensan.

How He Got Here

Day	End-of-Day Chip Count	Rank
1c	180,000	137/3,647
2c	209,000	531/1,793
3	336,000	603/1,084
4	3,250,000	14/354
5	7,100,000	24/106
6	34,500,000	2/35

Key Hand

A huge hand on Day 7 went down against Nick Marchington to bring Ensan over 100 million in chips. During Level 34: 250,000-500,000 with a 500,000 big blind ante, Ensan raised to 1 million from the cutoff and Marchington defended his big blind.

The flop came and Marchington checked. Ensan continued with the aggression and bet 1 million again. Marchington check-raised to 4 million and Ensan thought about it before tossing in a call. The turn was the and Marchington led out for 9.5 million. Ensan decided to call, swelling the pot to almost 30 million in chips.

The dealer completed the board with the and Marchington decided to fire out a bet of 25 million this time. Ensan wasted no time and snap-called, tabling for aces up. Marchington mucked, but the live stream revealed he had for bottom pair.

"I have history with him (Marchington)," explained Ensan. "I played two days with him, so I know how he plays - with pressure and aggressive. He just called and no three-bet. If he three-bet, maybe I fold before the flop. Eights, maybe. But fives, I have a five blocker. I am deep and I have two pair," explained Ensan.

His gut was right, and the call put him squarely out front of the pack with the final table getting closer.

What to Watch For

Based on his intuition in the key hand above, Ensan's experience is going to be what allows him to rise to the top in this event. Between his deep EPT runs for close to a million dollars, and the amount of years he has been on the felt, it's likely Ensan will be calm and focused while playing for $10 million.

Breaking down hands is another skill of Ensan's, as he was able to correctly call against Marchington's three streets of aggression to take a massive lead on Day 7. Reading his opponents and figuring out why they are betting in certain spots will be critical skills that Ensan will put to use as he tries to navigate his way to a victory in the 2019 WSOP Main Event.

Tags: Hossein Ensan Nick Marchington WSOP Main Event

2019-07-12 22:11 UTC-7

Secondary Feature Hands #55-59: Sammartino Clips Skrbic

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #55: Dario Sammartino raised to 1,300,000 from under the gun and Zhen Cai defended his big blind.

The flop landed and Cai checked to Sammartino who bet 1,000,000. Cai folded.

Hand #56: From under the gun, Milos Skrbic raised to 1,200,000 and Dario Sammartino called from the big blind.

The flop fell and Sammartino checked. Skrbic bet 1,200,000 and Sammartino called as the turn fell the . Both players checked as the river fell the .

Both players checked and Sammartino tabled his for two pair to collect the pot.

Hand #57: Zhen Cai raised to 1,400,000 from the button and Milos Skrbic called from the big blind.

The flop landed and Skrbic checked. Cai bet 1,700,000, and Skrbic folded.

Hand #58:Milos Skrbic raised to 2,000,000 from the small blind and collected the big blind and ante.

Hand #59: Dario Sammartino raised to 1,300,000 from the cutoff and won the blinds and ante.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Milos Skrbic	66,100,000 -3,200,000	-3,200,000
Dario Sammartino	58,900,000 4,800,000	4,800,000

Zhen Cai	25,100,000 -1,100,000	-1,100,000
Nick Marchington	21,600,000 -1,200,000	-1,200,000

Kevin Maahs	19,700,000 -1,500,000	-1,500,000
Alex Livingston	15,400,000 -600,000	-600,000

Tags: Dario Sammartino Milos Skrbic Zhen Cai

2019-07-12 22:21 UTC-7

Main Feature Hands #58-62: Ensan Turns the Screws on Niwinski

[user153638]

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #58: Hossein Ensan limped the button and Michael Niwinski checked his option to see a flop. Niwinski checked and called a bet of 600,000 from Ensan. On the turn, Niwinski checked and Ensan bet 1.2 million. Niwinski called and the completed the board on the river. Niwinski checked and Ensan moved all in. Niwinski had 9.7 million back and hit the tank hard before releasing.

Hand #59: Gates opened for 1.3 million under the gun and won the pot.

Hand #60: Timothy Su limped the small blind and Gates checked his option to see a flop. Su bet 600,000 and Gates folded.

Hand #61: Su raised the button to 1.3 million and Robert Heidorn folded from the big.

Hand #62: Niwinski moved all in for 8.4 million from early position and took down the pot.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Hossein Ensan	114,100,000 2,100,000	2,100,000

Timothy Su	78,900,000 1,500,000	1,500,000

Garry Gates	57,900,000
Henry Lu	34,500,000 -300,000	-300,000
Robert Heidorn	11,700,000 -1,500,000	-1,500,000
Michael Niwinski	10,900,000 -1,800,000	-1,800,000

Tags: Hossein Ensan Michael Niwinski Robert Heidorn Timothy Su

2019-07-12 22:24 UTC-7

Secondary Feature Hands #60-62: Skrbic Over 70 Million

poolshir

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #60: Zhen Cai raised to 1,400,000 from under the gun and Milos Skrbic three-bet to 4,700,000 in the cutoff. Action folded back to Cai who made the call after contemplating for a while. The flop came , they both checked to see the on the turn. Cai checked and Skrbic put Cai all-in for 20,400,00 who tanked to consider his options. In the end, Cai decided to fold.

Hand #61: Skrbic raised to 1,200,000 from the hijack and got no action.

Hand #62: Alex Livingston shoved from the button for 13,900,000 and no one called.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Milos Skrbic	73,800,000 7,700,000	7,700,000
Dario Sammartino	57,700,000 -1,200,000	-1,200,000

Kevin Maahs	19,700,000
Zhen Cai	18,900,000 -6,200,000	-6,200,000
Nick Marchington	15,400,000 -6,200,000	-6,200,000

Alex Livingston	15,400,000

Tags: Alex Livingston Milos Skrbic Zhen Cai

2019-07-12 22:27 UTC-7

Secondary Feature Hand #63: Livingston Doubles Through Skrbic

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #63: Alex Livingston raised to 1,500,000 from cutoff and Milos Skrbic called in the big blind.

The flop landed and Skrbic checked. Livingston bet 1,500,000 and Skrbic announced he was all in. Livingston deliberated for a little, and then called all in for 13,900,000 total.

Livingston:
Skrbic:

Livingston was in the lead with top pair, but was fading the flush draw of Skrbic

The turn fell the to now give Skrbic outs to a straight draw, and when the landed on the river, Livingston doubled through.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Milos Skrbic	57,800,000 -16,000,000	-16,000,000
Alex Livingston	31,700,000 16,300,000	16,300,000

Tags: Alex Livingston Milos Skrbic

2019-07-12 22:36 UTC-7

Main Feature Hands #63-66: Gates Takes from Lu; Niwinski Shoves on Gates

[user139916]

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #63: Henry Lu received a walk in the big blind.

Hand #64: Garry Gates raised to 1,300,000 from the hijack, Henry Lu three-bet to 4,000,000 from the small blind and Gates called.

The flop was , Lu continued for 2,800,000 and Gates called.

The turn was the , Lu checked, Gates bet 3,500,000 and Lu folded.

Hand #65: Hossein Ensan raised to 1,200,000 from the cutoff and Timothy Su called from the big blind.

The flop was and Su check-folded to Ensan's continuation bet of 800,000.

Hand #66: Michael Niwinski raised to 1,200,000 from the button and Garry Gates called from the big blind.

The flop was , Gates checked, Niwinski bet 1,100,000 and Gates called.

The turn was the , Gates checked, Niwinski shoved for 7,100,000 and Gates tanked for about three minutes before he folded.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Hossein Ensan	115,900,000 1,800,000	1,800,000

Timothy Su	76,800,000 -2,100,000	-2,100,000

Garry Gates	63,000,000 5,100,000	5,100,000
Henry Lu	28,000,000 -6,500,000	-6,500,000
Michael Niwinski	12,600,000 1,700,000	1,700,000
Robert Heidorn	11,700,000

Tags: Garry Gates Henry Lu Hossein Ensan Michael Niwinski Timothy Su

2019-07-12 22:37 UTC-7

Secondary Feature Hands #64-66: Cai Wins a Three-Way Pot

[user249920]

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #64: Alex Livingston raised to 1.4 million second to act. Zhen Cai called on his left and Kevin Maahs came along for the discounted price in the big blind. Action checked around on the flop for a board of . They checked again, bringing a . Cai won it with after another round of checks.

Hand #65: Cai raised to 1.4 million and Dario Sammartino three-bet on his left to 4.5 million. Action folded back to Cai and he tank-folded.

Hand #66: Maahs raised to 1.3 million on the button and Alex Livingston defended the big blind. Livingston check-called 1.5 million on the flop and they both checked the . The river was a , pairing the board. Livingston took the showdown for free with .

Tags: Alex Livingston Dario Sammartino Kevin Maahs Zhen Cai

2019-07-12 22:42 UTC-7

Zhen Cai Playing with the Support of 2018 Main Event Runner-Up Tony Miles

[user153638]

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Born December 1, 1983, 35-year-old Zhen Cai is a professional poker player from Lake Worth, Florida. Primarily a pot-limit Omaha cash game player, Cai is following in the footsteps of his good friend Tony Miles, who last year made a deep run in the 2018 WSOP Main Event ultimately finishing in second place.

“Good advice and just reassurance that everything is going to be fine,” Cai said of having his friend of eight years on the rail. “He’s someone else I can talk strategy with, not just basic strategy or poker strategy, but everything he had to go through last year.”

Miles has been on the rail for days sweating the action and plans to be there every step of the way.

“He’s a really good guy. One of my first coaches and mentors in poker,” said Miles. “It feels nice to be on the other side and share some wisdom, strength and hope. Just be there supporting him the way he was for me last year.”

In addition to Miles, Cai is supported by his wife, Jessica, who flew in late on Day 7, as well as his parents, sister, and other friends. And while he can’t be on the gaming floor, he’s also got the support of his 4-year-old son Chance, with whom he squared off against in a Father’s Day heads-up match.

Prior to his deep run in the Main Event, Cai had $101,151 in career WSOP cashes. In 2011, he won a $565 No-Limit Hold’em Event at the WSOP Circuit Harrah’s New Orleans for $33,753 and a ring. Other career highlights include winning the 2018 Lucky Hearts Open $2,200 PLO for $46,900 and finishing 28th in the 2015 WPT Borgata Winter Open for $12,980.

“Players are definitely getting way tougher right now,” said Cai, who attended the University of Florida where he studied advertising and psychology. “There’s a lot of things you have to think about at this stage. For the most part I’m just trying to play my best.”

How He Got Here

Day	End-of-Day Chip Count	Rank
1c	39,500	2,881/3,664
2c	152,400	867/1,793
3	1,058,000	54/1,286
4	3,200,000	16/354
5	6,945,000	25/106
6	18,275,000	12/35

Key Hands

Cai was responsible for the elimination of perhaps the most famous player in the 2019 WSOP Main Event – former NFL star Richard Seymour. It happened on Day 5 when, in Level 25 (30,000/60,000/60,000), Seymour jammed the button for 725,000 and Cai called from the small blind.

Anuj Agarwal was in the big and tanked for two minutes before three-betting all in for approximately 2 million, which Cai snap-called. Seymour had shoved with king-four offsuit, Agarwal came over the top with ace-three suited, and Cai had them both beat with two red ladies.

Seymour actually took the lead on a king-high flop, but a queen on the turn locked it up for Cai, who more than doubled to 6.2 million.

Arguably the biggest hand for Zhen came on Day 6 in Level 29 (80,000/160,000/160,000) when Andy Hwang opened for 320,000 from the hijack and Cai shoved the button for 4.075 million. Thomas Parkes called from the big blind, Hwang got out of the way, and Cai found himself way behind with ace-five offsuit against pocket tens. Fortunately for Zhen, he received a reprieve when the flop delivered him two pair.

From that point on Cai steadily built his stack as the final table gets ever closer.

What to Watch For

Don’t let his lack of tournament results fool you as Zhen is a force to be reckoned with at the poker table, especially given his PLO cash game experience. That’s a game full of variance and big swings. Anyone who can deal with those likely has a great deal of patience, resolve, and a proclivity to persevere.

Zhen has shown a willingness to go full steam ahead in likely coinflip situations – such as when he called Preben Stokkan’s three-bet shove with pocket tens, which held against Big Slick – and also knows how to shift gears and trap when necessary, like he did when he dispatched Duey Duong in 19th place.

As for the type of player Zhen is, perhaps Miles has the best read.

“He’s a very good live player,” he said. “He's a sound theoretical player. He’s going to be able to exploit players based on live reads, betting patterns, things that are not going to come naturally to everyone.”

Tags: Tony Miles WSOP Main Event Zhen Cai

2019-07-12 22:51 UTC-7

Main Feature Hands #67-71: Gates and Ensan Chip Up Further

[user38873]

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #67: A walk for Robert Heidorn.

Hand #68: Henry Lu opened the action with a raise to 1,200,000 and Garry Gates called on the button, as did Hossein Ensan in the big blind. On the flop, Ensan and Lu checked. Gates bet 1,000,000 to pick up a call by Ensan and Lu.

The followed on the turn and Ensan now led for 3,800,000. Lu reluctantly folded and Gates came along to the river. Ensan gave it some thought and checked, Gates made it 5,000,000 to go and Ensan folded.

Hand #69: Ensan limped from the small blind and Lu checked his option in the big blind. The flop barely showed up when Ensan had bet 600,000 and forced an instant fold from Lu.

Hand #70: Timothy Su opened to 1,300,000 first to act and won the blinds and antes.

Hand #71: Ensan min-raised to 1,200,000 in the cutoff and Lu three-bet to 2,700,000 from the button, Ensan called. On the flop, Ensan bet 3,000,000 and Lu called, which led to the turn. Ensan made it 8,500,000 to go and Lu reluctantly folded.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Hossein Ensan	117,700,000 1,800,000	1,800,000

Timothy Su	77,100,000 300,000	300,000

Garry Gates	71,800,000 8,800,000	8,800,000
Henry Lu	18,600,000 -9,400,000	-9,400,000
Robert Heidorn	11,700,000
Michael Niwinski	11,400,000 -1,200,000	-1,200,000

Tags: Garry Gates Henry Lu Hossein Ensan Robert Heidorn Timothy Su

2019-07-12 22:55 UTC-7

Secondary Feature Hands #67-69: Sammartino Loses to Snowmen, Then Wins with Them

Nível 35 : 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante

Hand #67: Dario Sammartino raised to 1,300,000 from under the gun and Nick Marchington called on the button, as did Zhen Cai from the big blind.

The flop landed and after Cai checked, Sammartino continued for 1,800,000. Marchington folded, and Cai called as the turn fell the .

Both players checked as the completed the board on the river. Cai checked and Sammartino bet 4,000,000. Cai deliberated for several minutes before calling. Sammartino showed , but Cai collected the pot with .

Hand #68: Alex Livingston raised his button to 1,400,000 and Dario Sammartino called from the big blind. The flop landed and both players checked to reveal the on the turn.

Sammartino led out for 3,000,000 and Livingston called as the completed the board on the river. Sammartino bet 6,600,000 and Livingston called.

Sammartino tabled his for a set, and Livingston folded.

Hand #69: Zhen Cai raised to 1,400,000 from the button and Dario Sammartino three-bet the small blind to 5,400,000. Cai folded.

Jogador	Fichas	Progresso
Dario Sammartino	67,100,000 9,400,000	9,400,000

Milos Skrbic	53,300,000 -4,500,000	-4,500,000
Zhen Cai	28,200,000 9,300,000	9,300,000
Alex Livingston	24,100,000 -7,600,000	-7,600,000

Nick Marchington	18,500,000 3,100,000	3,100,000

Kevin Maahs	14,600,000 -5,100,000	-5,100,000

Tags: Alex Livingston Dario Sammartino Nick Marchington Zhen Cai