Following two hours of play on Tuesday,France’s Alexandre Reard came out on top of a 491-entry field in Event #47: $5,000 Freezeout NLHE of the 52nd Annual World Series of Poker at the Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino to win his first WSOP gold bracelet and a career-best score of $428,694. With his latest victory in the tournament, he took his overall WSOP winnings to a massive $1,1781,97.
“I really wanted and needed that bracelet. It’s not an outcome but more a beautiful step in my career, and I hope for many more,” Reard said
“It’s been a while now that the French poker community is growing and getting stronger. Today the victory is mine but I have no doubts there will be more to come very soon,” said Reard about his rail. “We all come here to live those kind of moments and experience those feelings”.
Shortly after winning the event, Reard entered Event #51: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, which started earlier in the day.
“I won’t party today, there are too many beautiful tournaments to play but we’ll definitely organize a big party with the french community at the end of the series to celebrate. I need to keep working and stay focused for now!”
The event generated $1,941,863 in the prize pool, and 64 places got paid with a min cash worth $8,000. Bracelet winner Andrew Kelsall money-bubbled the event, finishing in 65th place.
Some notables to cash were Alexandros Theologis (14th for $16,491), Scott Seiver (17th for $13,707), partypoker pro Joni Jouhkimainen (19th for $13,707), Indo-American bracelet winner Ankush Mandavia (24th for $13,707), Chad Eveslage (31st for $11,601), GGPoker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu (32nd for $11,601), Shaun Deeb (33rd for $10,000), Jake Schwartz (38th for $10,000), Johan Guilbert (47th for $9,375), and Ran Ilani (54th for $8,750), Ivan Zufic (60th for $8,000)
After Salim Admon`s ninth-place elimination for $31,905, the final table was reached with Daniel Strelitz in the lead. Strelitz eventually finished runner-up for $264,953 to Alexandre Reard. Things were pretty even between both the players at the start of the heads-up battle for the title.
However, Reard chipped up nicely to take over a 2:1 chip lead and from there never looked back. The final hand of the tournament saw Strelitz shoving all-in with Jd 9d and Reard called with Ks 8d. The board ran out 7d 4h 3c Qh Kd, giving Reard a pair of kings to win the coveted title for $428,694.
Final Table Payouts (USD)
- Alexandre Reard – $428,694
- Daniel Strelitz – $264,953
- Ren Lin – $186,803
- Conrad Simpson – $133,733
- Qing Liu – $97,238
- Darren Grant – $71,827
- Diogo Veiga – $59,913
- Jamie Sequeira – $41,132