World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) Event #6 €3,250 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) Mixed Max has gone the way of Noah Schwartz after he defeated the European Poker Tour (EPT) Champion Ludovic Lacay in heads-up action.
If there was ever any doubt about the all-round poker credentials of Noah Schwartz, then they have been dispelled in Paris, as he improved upon his semi-final appearance in the €5,000 No-Limit Hold’em (NLHE) Mixed Max event to take gold in the PLO format.
It was the third occasion Schwartz had reached the semi final of a WSOPE Mixed Max event after also finishing fourth in the €10,000 version back in 2011.
Here are the main highlights of the final day of action:
Semi Final Fixtures
Ludovic Lacay (667,500) v Vitaly Lunkin (112,500)
Jyrvi Merivirta (183,500) v Noah Schwartz (179,000)
Level 17: The Short Stacks Double
With stacks pretty even, Noah Schwartz would take the lead in his match up with Jyri Merivirta, before the Fin would find a crucial double up. The chips went into the mixer on a flop of [Kc] [Tc] [3h] with Merivirta holding a set of tens and Schwartz nothing more than top pair. The turn and river would brick and the Fin was back in contention.
Then in the other semi final contest Vitaly Lunkin found a double up against the chip leader Ludovic Lacay. This time the chips went into the middle on the turn. The board was showing [Jc] [7h] [6d] [3c] when Lunkin moved all-in and Lacay called. It was top two pair for Lunkin and an inferior two pair for Lacay. The river would offer no help for Lacay and Lunkin was right back in the thick if things.
Level 18: Jyri Merivirta & Vitaly Lunkin Eliminated
Noah Schwartz would be the first name to head into the final after he eliminated Jyri Merivirta in the following hand.
The serious action occurred on a flop of [Kd] [4d] [2h] with Merivirta calling an all-in move from Schwartz. It was [Jc] [Td] [5d] [3d] for Schwartz and [Ah] [Qh] [Jd] [7c] for Merivirta.
The [8c] on the turn helped neither player, but the [Th] on the river gave Schwartz second pair and incredibly it was enough to push him on to the final table.
Ludovic Lacay would soon be joining Schwartz in that final table when he eliminated Vitaly Lunkin in third place.
Lunkin opened the action and Lacay flatted. The flop was a pretty looking [Qd] [6d] [5d] and Lacay check-called a 15k c-bet from Lunkin. The turn was the [Ah] and both players checked; this brought the [4s] out of the deck on the river and it would signify the end of Lunkin’s tournament.
The Russian moving all-in and after a long hard think Lacay made the call. It was [Td] [9d] for a Lacay flush and the Russian showed an air ball for the complete bluff.
Level 21: Noah Schwartz Takes the Title
After three levels and 62 hands of heads-up action, Noah Schwartz fought his way back from a chip deficit to take his first WSOP bracelet after the following hand.
Lacay limped from the button, Schwartz raised to 32k and Lacay made the call. The flop was [Ks] [6c] [5h] and Schwartz c-bet 42k, Lacay raised to 100k, Schwartz moved all-in and Lacay called.
Schwartz: [Ac] [Ks] [8h] [7d]
Lacay: [Qd] [8d] [6s] [5c]
It was top pair and an open ender for Schwartz and bottom two pair for Lacay. The turn card, [As], handed Schwartz a better two pair, and the inconsequential [3d] ended the action as Schwartz was declared the new champion.
Final Day Results
1st – Noah Schwartz – €104,580
2nd – Ludovic Lacay – €64,800
3rd – Vitaly Lunkin – €34,500
4th – Jyri Merivirta – €34,500
