2020 WSOP Online: 8-Time Ring Winner Michael Lech Earns First Bracelet in Event #13: $1,500 NLH Freezeout

Early Tuesday morning saw the conclusion of the 13th tournament at the 2020 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online. Event #13: $1,500 NLH Freezeout pulled in 649 entries to create a $924,825 prize pool. Coming out on top of the field was the 8-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Michael Lech from Arkansas who banked $164,248.92 for his first career bracelet and eighth cash at the series.

This was the second-largest score for Lech, behind his runner-up finish in the 2016 WSOP $888 ‘crazy eights’ event for $401,888. He has cashed in eight of the 13 WSOP Online events so far at the ongoing series, with his other biggest score being the $5,242 he earned in event 12. He cashed in four straight events from July 10-13, making three final tables in three consecutive events.

When the final table began, Lech was in the middle of the pack but he quickly gained momentum by scoring the first knockout at the final table. Michael ‘wsopmd’ Dolle shoved with A-7 and Lech called with pocket queens. Lech made a straight by the river to bust Dolle ninth place ($14,982).

Lech scored his next elimination by busting Seifert who lost a huge chunk of his stack to Romaine during 3-handed action. Left with just few big blinds, he shoved holding Qc 7h and Lech called with 8h 5d. The board ran Ac Jd 6s 4d 7s where Lech rivered a straight to bust Seifert in third place.

Lech took 9.70 million into heads-up against Romaine who held 6.52 million. Lech did pretty well to extend his chip lead to roughly 2:1 by the time the final hand arose. Finally, Lech min-raised to 560,000 holding Ah-Ks. Romaine called with 10c 8s. The flop brought the Kc 10d 3d. Romaine checked and Lech bet 868,000. Romaine raised all-in and Lech called with top pair, top kicker. With the turn Qs and the river 7h bringing no help to Romaine, Lech shipped the title for $164,248.92

Dylan “thedogsofwar” Wilkerson bubbled the tournament in 100th place. Following him were some notable IMT players in Jim “aggie69” Agate (90th – $2,219.58), Ankush “rickrosstheb” Mandavia (60th – $3,421.85), Jason “haderade” Somerville (53rd – $$3,976.74), Daniel “DNegs” Negreanu (27th – $6,381.29), Event #12 champ Ryan “Joeyisamush” Depaulo (23rd – $6,381.29), Ricky “ratedgto” Guan (17th – $7,491.08), and FT bubble boy Stanton “Stonniespoker” Tentowski (10th – $11,930.24).

Final Table Results

1Michael “miguelfiesta” Lech$164,249
2William “SlaweelRyam” Romaine$110,979
3Sean “SPS8710” Seifert$77,408
4Chun Lin “Bingooo” Mo$56,599
5Paul “ToTheMoon” Dewald$40,599
6Connor “666666” Drinan$29,964
7Christopher “pokeher2014” Fuchs$22,381
8Megan “wolverine17” Milburn$18,404
9Michael “wsopmd” Dolle$14,982