Frenchman Leo Soma Wins Event #14: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em for First Bracelet ($456,889)
It was a long steady climb for Leo Soma to take home his first WSOP bracelet in Event #14: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em.
The event started with 2,393 entrants, but by the end of Day 3, Soma was the only one left standing taking home $456,889 for his efforts and of course a WSOP gold bracelet.
Just 16 players remained at the start of Day 3, with Soma starting in the middle of the pack. However, he quickly soared to the chip lead before the first break and never relinquished it. Throughout the day he was able to enjoy the unwavering support of a few fans, dressed in matching shirts with Soma's face printed on them.
Any time Soma scooped a pot, they made themselves heard, with chants, singing, and banging. Thomas Schultz finished in second place, taking home $282,358 for his efforts — a new career best cash for him.
Event #14: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Soma | France | $456,889 |
| 2 | Thomas Schultz | United States | $282,358 |
| 3 | Maximiliano Gallardo | Argentina | $203,451 |
| 4 | Daniel Wellborn | United States | $148,171 |
| 5 | Derek Sudell | United States | $109,083 |
| 6 | Ivan Zhechev | Bulgaria | $81,188 |
| 7 | Joe Cada | United States | $61,098 |
Final Day Recap
Sixteen players started the final day, with five eliminated before the first break in an action-packed start. Maximiliano Gallardo flopped a straight flush while former bracelet winner Anson Tsang and Mustapha Kanit were sent to the rail.
A double elimination where both Ronit Chamani and Javier Garcirreynaldos hit the rail saw Soma's chip count continue to climb, overtaking start-of-day chip leader Daniel Wellborn.
The 2009 Main Event winner and four-time bracelet holder Joe Cada made it to the unofficial final table before he was knocked out in seventh place by Soma for $61,098.
Soma was in control, also sending Ivan Zhechev to the rail, before Gallardo attempted to close the gap with the elimination of Derek Sudell in fifth place.
Wellborn had held on to an above-average stack for most of the tournament and managed to make a deep run, but Soma was unrelenting and sent him to the rail as well. He took home $148,171 for his fourth-place finish.
In total, Soma was responsible for all but one of the eliminations at the final table, and although Schultz would double three-handed, Soma sent both him and Gallardo to the rail in quick succession to secure victory in front of a raucous partisan crowd.
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