World Series of Poker Europe (WSOP) Event #3: €5,300 Mixed Max has concluded with Darko Stojanovic overcoming a 3:1 chip deficit to wrest the gold bracelet away from the wrist of the favorite Dan O’Brien.
Three days ago, 140 players began one of the most interesting formats of No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) poker you would find anywhere in the world. Win this tournament and you prove that you are capable of playing the most popular form of poker with the very best in the business.
Nine handed play, six handed play, four handed play, and heads up play had flowed to the tune of the River Seine and only Dan O’Brien and Darko Stojanovic remained in contention for a sliver of gold, the right to be known as a WSOP champion and €188,160 in prize money.
When the heads-up contest began it looked like a David v Goliath confrontation as Dan O’Brien began the contest with a 3:1 chip over his opponent Darko Stojanovic.
Tale of the Tape
Dan O’Brien 1,594,000 v Darko Stojanovic 507,000
O’Brien had come close to winning a major tournament on so many occasions, including a runner up spot in last years WSOPE shootout. Yet despite his enormous chip lead, he was only one double up away from an even playing field.
The tournament would play out with just two of the 53 hands contributing anything worthy of my ink. Two hands that ultimately crowned a champion and left one man feeling a sense of deja vu.
Hand #2
Dan O’Brien opened the button to 20k holding pocket sevens and Darko Stojanovic thought he could do something with the mighty [3h] [2h] and made the call.
The dealer proceeded to plant [8c] [4c] [3d] onto the flop and Stojanovic check-raised to 90k once O’Brien had bet 25k.
The turn brought the [2s] out of the deck to give Stojanovic two-pair and he didn’t stand on ceremony. The Frenchman moved all-in, and after some time in the tank O’Brien made the call. The river card was the [2d] to hand Stojanovic a boat, and suddenly the pendulum had swung in the opposite direction.
Hand #53
Darko Stojanovic opened the button for 34k and Dan O’Brien made the call. The flop was [Qh] [6h] [4c], O’Brien checked, Stojanovic bet 53k, O’Brien check-raised to 130k, Stojanovic moved all-in and O’Brien called.
Showdown
Stojanovic: [7h] [7c]
O’Brien: [Ah] [5h]
O’Brien was chasing the nut flush draw, with one over card, and Stojanovic was holding the very hand that had gotten them into this spot in the first place – pocket sevens.
The dealer burned and turned first the [Js], and then the [8d], and Darko Stojanovic had come from behind to win Event #3 and all of the trappings that came with it.
Final Standings
1st – Darko Stojanovic – €188,160
2nd – Dan O’Brien – €116,280
