On third street, one player completed with the bring-in. Awad made it two bets. Only the original raiser called. On fourth, the player bet, and Awad called. The player bet once more on fifth, and this time, Awad let his hand go. He showed the for a pair of kings.
His opponent however turned over for rolled-up twos. "Those three diamonds killed me," he said.
Awad just nodded, and even after making that good fold, he has still chipped up a bit to start the day. He has just over starting stack.
Barry Greenstein was faced off against one other player. Greenstein bet on sixth street, and his opponent called. Once more on seventh, Greenstein bet, and his opponent called again. Greenstein showed for three fours and an eighty-seven low, and that was good enough for him to take down both the high and the low.
Defending champ Hani Awad has entered the arena. Awad has been active in many events already this series and has cashed earlier this month in Event #44: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E., where he finished in 43rd place for $5,013.
Awad also finished second in this event in 2015, while Konstantin Maslak won his first World Series of Poker bracelet. Maslak has also taken his seat.
The 2017 World Series of Poker is deep into the thick of things now more than two-thirds of the way through. The 57th event of the summer gets underway this afternoon and will bring a mixed-game flavor to the Amazon. Event #57: $2,500 Mixed (Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better; Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better) will see cards go in the air at 3:00 p.m. local time inside the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.
After finishing runner-up to Konstantin Maslak in this event in 2015, Hani Awad returned in 2016 and did the only thing he could to top it — he won. Awad bested a field of 394 including a final table with Per Hildebrand, Aditya Prasetyo and Fabrice Soulier, beating Soulier heads-up to claim his first WSOP gold bracelet and a prize of $213,186.
Former Champions:
Year
Champion
Entries
Prize
2016
Hani Awad
394
$213,186
2015
Konstantin Maslak
474
$269,612
2014
John Kabbaj
470
$267,327
2013
Mike Gorodinsky
374
$216,988
2012
Oleksii Kovalchuk
393
$228,014
2011
Owais Ahmed
450
$255,959
The 2017 WSOP Player of the year race is heating up with some elite players lingering around the top. Raymond Henson leads with Chris Ferguson just a few points behind. John Racener, James Obst, Mike Leah, Ryan Hughes and John Monnette are all within striking distance so we can expect to see most if not all of them take a seat here sometime throughout Day 1.
Play is scheduled for 10 hour-long levels on Day 1 with a 15-minute break every two levels. Late registration will remain open until the end of the break following the eighth level or approximately midnight.
Stay tuned to PokerNews as we bring you live coverage from the tournament floor throughout the event until a new WSOP champion is crowned.
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Event #57: $2,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix