WSOP: Elior Sion overcomes the poker elites and wins the US$50K Poker Player’s Championship

Out of all the events offered at the World Series of Poker, one event that stands apart from all the rest is the US$50,000 Poker Players Championship. Unlike other mixed-games events, this is considered to be the toughest to combat. It is a 10-game mixed format with No Limit Texas Hold’em with antes, Limit Texas Hold’em, Pot Limit Omaha, Limit Omaha/ 8 or Better, Limit Seven-Card Stud, Limit Seven Card Stud/ 8 or Better, Limit, 2–7 triple draw lowball, Limit Razz, Badugi, and 2–7 No Limit Draw Lowball.

Needless to say, this is considered to be the most prestigious event at the series. And with an entry fee of US$50K, it separates the general mass of poker players and poker pros from the true authorities of the game. This is in fact the Main Event of the elite and winning here means, you are without a doubt revered as the best all-around poker player in the world.

Elior Sion tops 100-Player Field To Win Bracelet

At the ongoing WSOP 2017, 100 players ponied up for a juicy seven-figure prize pool of US$4,800,000. In attendance were of course some of the world’s poker greats, including other online personalities coming out of their bat caves. Past winners were of course in the lineup including Brian Rast and Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, both hunting for their third glory.

The early days fared well for Mizrachi but not for Rast. Mizrachi secured the chip lead at the end of Day 2 while Rast fell out of the running. But in Day 3, like Rast, Mizrachi’s hopes came to a dead halt as he fell on the bubble in 16th place.

The last fifteen players were a mix of the youngbloods and the idols. Bracelet winner James Obst was among the youngblood contenders but he could only get as far as the first payout in 15th place. Other known pros such as Mike Matusow, Scott Seiver, Matthew Ashton, and Shaun Deeb also cashed but missed their moment at the final felt.

As for Daniel Negreanu, well, he never ran out of things to say, oh and he also ended Day 4 with the largest stack which he carried over to the final table. Right at his coattails was Isaac Haxton in second rank.

The final table proved to be Negreanu’s most difficult challenge. Despite entering as the front runner, he was still eliminated in 5th place. Haxton did much better, finishing it out in 3rd place leaving two unknown newbloods battling for the title.

In the aftermath, it was Englishman Elior Sion who seized the glory, defeating Johannes Becker. Sion will etch his name in the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy as the newest champion. Sion also cleared the US$1,395, 767 first place cash and won his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet.

Payouts

1. Elior Sion — $1,395,767
2. Johannes Becker — $862,649
3. Isaac Haxton — $595,812
4. Ivo Donev — $419,337
5. Daniel Negreanu — $300,852
6. Paul Volpe — $220,111
7. Shaun Deeb — $164,286
8. Matthew Ashton — $164,286
9. Scott Seiver — $125,142
10. Ian Johns — $125,142
11. Aaron Katz — $97,328
12. Mike Matusow — $97,328
13. Talal Shakerchi — $77,320
14. Ralph Perry — $77,320
15. James Obst — $77,320

Article by Triccia David