Tuesday, June 13, 2017 1:41 AM Local Time
Ron Ware Wins Event #21: $1,500 8-Game Mix 6-Handed for $145,577 to Claim His First Bracelet
After a fascinating encounter on the final day of the Event #21: $1,500 8-Game Mix 6-Handed, Ron Ware has emerged victorious to earn his first WSOP bracelet along with a $145,577 first-place prize. Remarkably, Ware entered the tournament defending his third place from last year's edition. This time, he left the 472-strong field behind.
Ware explained the importance of staying focused all the way through the long journey that leads to the famous gold: "It's just a slow grind. Just gotta be patient and wait for chips. You can't chase chips that don't belong to you," he said.
"I like the mixed games because usually, you can catch a couple of the games people are weak at. I like the mixed the best because it gives everybody a shot to be bad at something," said the champion.
Ware came back for the final day second in chips but he soared to the chip lead in the fourth level of the day with players already seated on the feature table. Ware won a huge three-way pot in stud hi-lo when Chris Vitch bet-folded on the seventh street and Fabrice Soulier check-raised with two pair on his board. Ware had aces in the hole in addition to his exposed threes, scooping the giant pot to vault over one million in chips.
Since then, Ware controlled the final table, extending his chip lead to sit even more comfortably in his chair. He had nearly half of all chips in play with five players left and with the progressing levels, he was becoming clearer and clearer lock for heads-up.
When asked about whether his approach to the final table changed when he gained the commanding lead, Ware replied: "Not really. I still stayed out of trouble, still waited for good hands."
One of the main stories of the final day was Chris Vitch, who came back with the second shortest stack but he quintupled it during the first level. Arguably the most feared mixed games player on the final table, Vitch couldn't eventually reach better than a fifth place finish. Vitch lost his chips to Ware in a no-limit hold'em hand, shoving from the small blind with queen-ten only to run into Ware's pocket jacks. Vitch collected $27,142 for his efforts, topping his $23,827 payday from last week's tenth place finish in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship.
Vitch's exit wasn't followed by any elimination for the next hour of play, but Ware took care of Sachin Bhargava soon after dinner break in a razz hand, sending him to the sidelines in fourth place worth $39,545.
While Ware had a paved way to heads up, Fabrice Soulier and Mike Ross were getting short and they battled it out for the other chair for the final showdown. They clashed twice in no-limit hold'em, and while Soulier doubled in the first round, the second belonged to Ross who knocked out the French bracelet winner in third place, leaving him with a $58,968 prize.
Ware was a huge chip-favorite entering heads up with about a five-to-two lead. Ross, however, proved to be a tough obstacle. He managed to narrow the gap and even gained a slight lead at one point, but Ross' tally featured many up-and-down swings and Ware would soon magnify his chips back.
The most remarkable hand during heads-up emerged in stud when Ware called a bet on the seventh street with just ace-king high, correctly picking off Ross' bluff.
"The way I looked at his board, it just looked to me like he was going to have a flush or nothing. I just can't picture him betting a pair in that spot. It didn't look like he was dragging with a pair, it looked like he had some kind of draw. So, I figured he either made his draw and he's getting one more bet, or he missed his draw and I'm gonna get the pot," revealed Ware his thought process during the hand.
Ross, however, remained relentless, bravely chasing his first bracelet. He doubled three times, but the fourth one wasn't meant for him. Ross' fate as a runner-up for $89,948 was sealed in no limit hold'em, with Ross calling all-in on the turn with a flush draw and an open-ended straight draw against Ware's top pair.
The river missed all of Ross' outs to play his swan song and decorate Ron Ware the $1,500 8-Game Champion.
Event #21: $1,500 8-Game Mix 6-Handed Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Ron Ware | USA | $145,577 |
| 2 | Mike Ross | USA | $89,948 |
| 3 | Fabrice Soulier | France | $58,968 |
| 4 | Sachin Bhargava | USA | $39,545 |
| 5 | Chris Vitch | USA | $27,142 |
| 6 | Ryan Himes | USA | $19,077 |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:28 AM Local Time
Mike Ross Eliminated in 2nd Place ($89,948)
Limit Hold'em
Mike Ross checked his big blind after Ron Ware limped in, and he then check-called a bet on . Both checked the , and the river was a . Ross checked and Ware bet. Ross called after some thought, and Ware turned over for two pair.
"So sick," Ross said, showing . "He was dead to a nine."
No-Limit Hold'em
Ross raised to 105,000, and Ware called. On the flop, Ross bet 175,000 and Ware called. When a arrived on the turn, Ware simply moved all in.
"I don't know if I can fold this," Ross said as he stood out of his seat. "I got a big draw, buddy. And I love a draw."
Ross decided to call and turned over . Ware held , so Ross would need a heart, nine, or ace to survive. The river was a though, and Ross' sizable rail went quiet, as Ware locked up the tournament.
| Ron Ware | 3,540,000 | 800,000  |
| Mike Ross | 0 | -800,000  |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:21 AM Local Time
Ross Doubles Again
Omaha Hi-Lo
One hand has passed since the last update, and the situation is completely different again. Ross took his lost chips in the second hand of Omaha 8.
He doubled with , spiking the top two pair on the board.
The heads-up thriller continues on.
| Ron Ware | 2,740,000 | -320,000 |
| Mike Ross | 800,000 | 320,000 |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:18 AM Local Time
Ross Falls Back Down
Omaha Hi-Lo
It's been a roller-coaster heads up for Mike Ross. Just after he doubled, he dropped back down to under 500,000 in chips. "Wow, I got scooped here," he said after the showdown with the board reading . While the flop was checked, Ross paid one bet on both turn and river.
Mike Ross:
Ron Ware:
Ware opened a nut-low and his pair of sevens was enough to seize the high, too.
| Ron Ware | 3,060,000 | 420,000 |
| Mike Ross | 480,000 | -420,000 |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:14 AM Local Time
Ace from Space Saves Ross
Stud
Mike Ross completed with the and Ron Ware called with the exposed on his board. Ware's three paired on the fourth street and they ended up all in right there.
Mike Ross: /
Ron Ware: /
Ware had sixes in the hole and was ahead with two pair. Ross couldn't improve through the sixth street, and was one card away from elimination. Ware turned over on the seventh so his hand remained sixes and threes.
Ross peeked at his remaining card and then jumped in joy: "Aces Up!" he shouted towards his rail, showing . A miracle ace of spades brought Ross a higher two pair, securing him his double.
| Ron Ware | 2,640,000 | -260,000 |
| Mike Ross | 900,000 | 260,000 |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:08 AM Local Time
Ross Doubles Up
2-7 Triple Draw
Ron Ware won a stud pot with pocket aces when Mike Ross correctly folded a smaller pair on fifth street, and then Ware made a jack-low in triple draw to knock Ross down to about 300,000.
They got the rest of the money in before the first draw in triple draw, with Ross pulling two and Ware three. Both players then drew one on each of the last two draws.
Ware turned over . Ross showed .
"Show me what I've gotta beat," Ross said.
If Ware pulled something lower than eight that didn't pair him, the tournament would end, but he turned over a . Ross needed to avoid a king, queen, or pair, and he turned over a to survive.
| Ron Ware | 2,900,000 | 0 |
| Mike Ross | 640,000 | 0 |
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 12:02 AM Local Time
Check-Raise from Ware
Limit Hold'em
Ron Ware defended his big blind against Mike Ross' raise from the button.
The flop fell and Ware let his opponent fire a continuation bet. Ross obliged but Ware decided to take the aggression to his hands. He check-raised to earn a call from Ross.
Ross, however, didn't find a call button when Ware led the turn. Ware is now gaining the ground again, taking more than four-to-one lead.
| Ron Ware | 2,900,000 | 500,000 |
| Mike Ross | 650,000 | -490,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:56 PM Local Time
Level 29 started
Level: 29
Blinds: 80000/160000
Ante: 0
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:50 PM Local Time
Take 10
Players have agreed to a 10-minute break.
| Ron Ware | 2,400,000 | -100,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,140,000 | 100,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:48 PM Local Time
Ace-High Bluff Catch in Stud
Stud
Mike Ross check-called bets on fourth and fifth street and then both he and Ron Ware checked sixth when Ross picked up three hearts.
Ross: /
Ware: /
On the end, Ross bet. Ware squinted at his board and then put in a call.
"You win," Ross said. "Ace-high."
Ross showed for a missed straight draw, and Ware showed he'd called with for ace-king high.
| Ron Ware | 2,500,000 | 470,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,040,000 | -470,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:36 PM Local Time
Ross Battling Back
Mike Ross has closed the gap with a series of small wins and only trails by a few bets now.
| Ron Ware | 2,030,000 | -710,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,510,000 | 710,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:25 PM Local Time
Ware Closing In
No-Limit Hold'em
Ron Ware raised to 115,000, and Mike Ross made it 300,000. Ware called and both checked the flop for an board. Ross checked and folded to 375,000, saying he had ace-king.
Pot-Limit Omaha
Ross raised to 80,000 and Ware called. On a board of after both checked, Ware check-called 100,000. The river was a and both players checked. Ware showed for a backdoor flush, and Ross mucked in disgust.
Limit Hold'em
Ross raised, and Ware called. Ware check-called the flop and both checked the . Two more checks on the , and Ware announced a straight, showing . Ross mucked .
| Ron Ware | 2,740,000 | 840,000 |
| Mike Ross | 800,000 | -840,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:19 PM Local Time
East Coast Mike Bounces Back
Mike Ross, called "ECM" by his friends in the rail, is now closing on his heads-up opponent. The chip stacks are nearly tied after Ross' recent success in limit hold'em, stud hi-lo and 2-7 triple draw.
Limit Hold'em
Ross was in position on the flop and he raised over Ware's lead. Ware called and they went to the where Ross continued with another bet, which was check-called by Ware. The river was tapped and Ross took down the pot with for a top pair.
Stud Hi-Lo
Ware completed with and then fired on all three following streets, earning calls each time. The seventh street was checked.
Ron Ware: /
Mike Ross: /
Ross showed and when Ware saw it, he declared: "Scoop."
Ross wasn't sure if he heard it correctly, so he asked: "Scoop?" Ware confirmed, giving up another pot to Ross.
2-7 Triple Draw
Ross raised and Ware called. Both players drew two and Ware check-called before they changed one apiece on the second draw, which remained checked. They both drew one again on the third draw and Ross called Ware's bet. Ware announced a pair and left another chunk go Ross' way.
| Ron Ware | 1,900,000 | -1,140,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,654,000 | 1,154,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:06 PM Local Time
Ross Pays Three Streets
Omaha Hi-Lo
Mike Ross checked his option in the big blind and then check-called all streets on a board. Ware announced a full house and showed , and Ross mucked .
| Ron Ware | 3,040,000 | 290,000 |
| Mike Ross | 500,000 | -290,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 11:04 PM Local Time
Ware Hits Trip Queens
Stud Hi-Lo
Just when Mike Ross was chipping up and gaining momentum, a Stud Hi-Lo hand played out in Ron Ware's favour.
Ware completed with the but Ross raised it up with the . Ware called and then faced bets on the fourth, fifth and sixth street. Ware kept calling all the way through before both players checked the seventh.
Mike Ross: /
Ron Ware: /
Ross announced "Aces" in the showdown but Ware showed , cracking Ross' hand after catching a third queen on the sixth street. Ross sighed, and threw his up in the air.
| Ron Ware | 2,750,000 | 600,000 |
| Mike Ross | 790,000 | -600,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 10:51 PM Local Time
Ross Rivers the Straight
Pot-Limit Omaha
Mike Ross completed the blind, and Ron Ware checked. Ware check-called 55,000 on the flop, and the turn prompted a pair of checks. On the river, Ware checked. Ross bet 150,000, and Ware almost beat him to the pot with a call.
"Nuts," Ross said, rolling over .
| Ron Ware | 2,150,000 | -550,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,390,000 | 550,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 10:48 PM Local Time
Level 28 started
Level: 28
Blinds: 60000/120000
Ante: 0
Monday, June 12, 2017 10:47 PM Local Time
Ware Strikes in Lowball
2-7 Triple Draw
A three-bet pot emerged in Lowball as Mike Ross opened the button and Ron Ware re-raised from the big blind. Ross called.
While Ware quickly drew one, Ross rechecked and reshuffled his cards several times before finally drawing two. Ware continued with a bet, and Ross called.
They both drew one on the second draw, and Ware bet again. Ross, however, woke up with a raise. Ware called and patted. Ross drew one again, and the last round went check-check.
Ross immediately flipped the as he missed on his last draw, leaving the significant pot to Ware, who showed and regained a three-to-one chip lead.
| Ron Ware | 2,700,000 | 260,000 |
| Mike Ross | 840,000 | -260,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 10:37 PM Local Time
Set No Good
Pot-Limit Omaha
Mike Ross and Ron Ware saw a flop of for 60,000 apiece. Both players checked to the turn. Ross check-called a bet of 60,000 from Ware. On the river, Ross checked again, and Ware bet 125,000. Ross leaned back in his chair, sighed, and verbalized a call.
"Flush," Ware said, tabling .
"Flopped top set," Ross said, mucking .
| Ron Ware | 2,440,000 | -160,000 |
| Mike Ross | 1,100,000 | 160,000 |
Monday, June 12, 2017 10:31 PM Local Time
Ross 'Only Plays Perfect'
2-7 Triple Draw
Ron Ware raised the button, and Mike Ross called. Ross took the betting lead after changing two, while Ware changed three. Ross drew one and Ware two on the second draw. Ross led again, earning a call once more. He patted on the third draw, and Ware took one.
Ross checked to Ware on the final betting round and called his bet, showing . "Eight-seven perfect", he declared.
"Eight-seven smooth," came from the rail. Ross then revealed his strategy: "I only play perfect."
Ross is still trailing, however, with a three-to-one chip disadvantage.
| Ron Ware | 2,600,000 | 700,000 |
| Mike Ross | 940,000 | -700,000 |