2016 WSOP Recaps for Events 56-67

All that remains in the 2016 WSOP is the conclusion of the $10,000 buy-in Main Event. The other tournaments have concluded, meaning that there’s another round of big winners to report. That said, let’s discuss China’s first-ever winner, a player who won $5 million, and more stories from events 56-67.

Event #56: David Peters Wins $1.5k NLHE

Cathal Shine was trying to become the first Irish player to win at the WSOP in eight years. Shine would come up just short, though, finishing second ($254,890) in this field of 1,860 players. David Peters was the champion in Event #56, earning his first gold bracelet along with a $412,577 payout.

Event #57: David Nowakowski Wins $1.5k PLO Hi-Lo Split

Originally born in New Jersey, David Nowakowski has spent the last few years living in Panama as an online poker pro. But he’s glad to have traveled back to the US for the 2016 WSOP, given that he won this $1,500 PL Omaha Hi-Lo Split tourney along with $203,113. Nowakowski just recently moved back to New Jersey and plans to pursue a degree in accounting.

Event #58: Corey Thompson Takes Down $1k NLHE

Before this event, Corey Thompson had never managed more than a min-cash in the WSOP. But he changed this by navigating through a 1,397-player field to win this event along with $221,163. Afterward, Thompson said that the money means a lot to him because he comes from a working class background, with his mom cleaning houses and his dad doing yardwork for a living.

Event #59: Yue Du Becomes China’s First Bracelet Winner

While there have been many Chinese-American immigrants who’ve won a gold bracelet, nobody who’s born and still living in China had ever won a WSOP event. This all changed, though, when Yue Du battled through this 863-player field to win a $5,000 NL Hold’em tourney along with $800,586. This is impressive considering that Du doesn’t have much of a poker resume, instead focusing on his investing career.

Event #60: Poker Newbie Wins $1.5k Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo

David Prociak hasn’t even been playing poker for a year, but he’s doing well enough in live tournaments that he decided to play in the 2016 WSOP. It turned out to be a great decision because he won a $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo event and $156,546. Brandon Shack-Harris was chasing his second bracelet of the summer, but he fell just short in second place ($96,750).

Event #61: Fee and Polk Are the Best Poker Team

The 2016 WSOP marked the first time for a $1,000 Tag Team event, where teams of 2-4 players could sub in/out during the tournament. 863 squads entered, and the team of Doug Polk and Ryan Fee emerged victorious to collect a $152,368 payout.

Event #62: Jens Kyllonen Gets First Bracelet in $25k PLO

Jens Kyllonen is primarily known as a high-stakes online cash pro. But he decided to compete in this $25,000 PL Omaha High Roller against 183 other skilled players. The Finn emerged victorious in this event and collected a $1,127,035 payout, which will go nicely with his $5 million-plus in online cash profits.

Event #63: TV Commentator Tony Dunst Wins $1k NLHE

Although best known as a commentator for the World Poker Tour, Tony Dunst also likes to play in live tournaments. And he was able to capture his first WSOP bracelet by winning this $1,000 NL Hold’em tourney along with $339,254.

Event #64: Kyle Bowker Earns First Bracelet in $3k PLO Hi-Lo

Kyle Bowker has been grinding in live poker tournaments for 10 years, accumulating 34 cashes in this time. But until Event #64, a gold bracelet had alluded him. The New York pro was able to take care of this, though, by topping a 473-player field in the $3,000 PL Omaha Hi-Lo Championship. Bowker earned a $294,960 payout, while Kate Hoang (2nd, $182,281) just missed becoming the third woman to win at the 2016 WSOP.

Event #65: Detroit Poker Dealer Wins $1k Ladies Championship

Courtney Kennedy’s full-time job is being a poker dealer. But the Detroit native also likes playing poker when she gets the chance and earned her crowning achievement by winning the $1,000 Ladies Hold’em Championship. Kennedy made $149,108 for the victory, while Amanda Baker finished second and collected $92,121.

Event #66: Clayton Maguire Takes Down $1k Online NLHE Tourney

Now in its second year, the $1,000 online hold’em tournament has definitely grown, drawing 1,247 players compared to last year’s field of 905 players. Clayton Maguire emerged victorious from the expanded field, earning a $210,179 payout for his effort.

Event #67: Fedor Holz Wins $111k One Drop and $5 Million

The $111,111 buy-in One Drop High Roller was once again popular, attracting 183 players and creating a $19.32 million prize pool (minus charity’s take). The 22-year-old, who already has over $18 million in tournament winnings, collected a $4.98 million prize for winning. Dan Smith finished second ($3.1m), and Austria’s Koray Aldemir took third ($2.15m).