Tuesday, July 1, 2014 1:20 AM Local Time
Hugo Pingray Wins Event #51: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack ($1,327,083)!
The 2014 World Series of Poker has seen the biggest tournament outside of the Main Event come to a conclusion with Frenchman Hugo Pingray winning Event #51: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack for an incredible $1,327,083.
A vast majority of poker players had circled this very event on their calendar as a must-play, and the day before cards would hit the air, the mass of people entering caused the WSOP staff to add a second Day 1 flight. The opening day of Thursday last week would see two starting flights split into an afternoon and nighttime session as a massive 7,862 players took to the felt to create a $10,613,700 prizepool.
It wouldn't be until late on Day 2 that 792 players would make the money following six eliminations on the hand before going hand-for-hand. Day 3 would be the moving day as the 576 remaining players would be cut down to just 62 before the penultimate day saw a final nine reached in a relatively quick time.
Returning on Monday afternoon, the final nine took a seat at one of the biggest final tables of the summer, but unfortunately for Joshua Hillock he would be eliminated on the first hand when his was cracked by Day 3 chip leader Sean Drake. Ten hands later, Zachary Gruneberg exited in eighth place when he four-bet shoved the and ran into Pingray's queens, and then Bobby Byram fell in seventh a few hands later.
Several orbits later, England's Lynne Beaumont lost a race with the against Pingray's before Thayer Rasmussen took fifth when his weak ace was outdrawn by Drake on the river. Thirty-seven hands later, German Claas Segebrecht made a move with the , but ran into Joseph McKeehen's to leave three men to battle it out until that became two just several hands later when Drake pushed with a flush draw, but ran into Pingray's two-pair.
With Pingray holding nearly a 2-1 chip advantage to start heads-up play, that slowly increased until McKeehen snagged a huge double when he won a race holding the against Pingray's to take a greater than 2-1 advantage into the dinner break. Once play returned, McKeehen extended his lead until another coinflip saw the chip counts return to virtually dead even when Pingray's top pair held against McKeehen's flush draw and overcard.
McKeehen snatched a slight lead back before Pingray won a monster pot when he made a backdoor flush holding the to move into a 2-1 advantage before the final hand would occur just nine hands later when McKeehen shoved all in holding the and Pingray called with the . The flop brought an an ace, and with it saw McKeehen exit in second place as Pingray was crowned champion.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|
| 1 | Hugo Pingray | France | $1,327,083 |
| 2 | Joseph McKeehen | USA | $820,863 |
| 3 | Sean Drake | USA | $619,521 |
| 4 | Claas Segebrecht | Germany | $468,594 |
| 5 | Thayer Rasmussen | USA | $356,620 |
| 6 | Lynne Beaumont | England | $273,090 |
| 7 | Bobby Byram | USA | $210,469 |
| 8 | Zachary Gruneberg | USA | $163,238 |
| 9 | Joshua Hillock | USA | $127,364 |
For the Frenchman, who now resides in Switzerland, this not only marks his first WSOP bracelet, but also his first WSOP cash and first cash outside of France or Switzerland. After showing a tremendous mix of patience, aggression, and well-executed timing on Day 4 to end the day as chipleader, Pingray carried that momentum into the final table. Although he relinquished the lead on several different occasions, his boisterous rail helped lift him to victory after an enduring 79 hands of heads-up play against a very talented opponent.
Congratulations to France's Hugo Pingray for winning Event #51: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack for a whopping $1,327,083 in prize money!
Thanks for following along with our coverage during this tournament, and make sure to stay tuned to PokerNews.com for all your 2014 World Series of Poker coverage!
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:57 AM Local Time
Joseph McKeehen Eliminated in 2nd Place ($820,863); Hugo Pingray Wins!
Hand #174: Hugo Pingray raised to 4 million from the button and Joseph McKeehen pushed all in for 45.85 million with Pingray instantly making the call to put McKeehen at risk.
McKeehen:
Pingray:
With McKeehen trailing in both chip count and hand strength, the dealer fanned a flop to put Pingray squarely in the lead as his boisterous rail launched into a bevy of cheers.
McKeehen would now need a runner-runner combination of straight cards, trips or two-pair, but when the landed on the turn, he would be drawing dead as Pingray ran to his cheering rail to celebrate.
The meaningless landed on the river and McKeehen would take 2nd place for a $820,863 payday as Pingray would be crowned the Event #51: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em Monster Stack Champion!
| Joseph McKeehen | 0 | -46,150,000  |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:53 AM Local Time
"But all the while you hear the creature creepin' up behind...You're out of time..."
| Hugo Pingray | 71,650,000 | -10,100,000 |
| Joseph McKeehen | 46,150,000 | 10,100,000  |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:49 AM Local Time
Hands #168-173: McKeehen Shoving
Hand #168: Hugo Pingray limped the button, Joseph McKeehen raised out of the big blind and Pingray folded.
Hand #169: Joseph McKeehen raised to 4 million on the button and Hugo Pingray called from the big blind.
They checked to the river of a where McKeehen took it down with a bet of 2.5 million.
Hand #170: Hugo Pingray limped the button, Joseph McKeehen checked his option and the flop fell . McKeehen check-called 2 million to see the turn, which both checked. The river fell and McKeehen check-folded to a bet.
Hand #171: Joseph McKeehen raised to 4 million on the button and Hugo Pingray called from the big blind.
They checked to the river of a board where Pingray took it down with a bet of 2.5 million.
Hand #172: Hugo Pingray limped the button, Joseph McKeehen shoved for 33.75 million and Pingray folded.
Hand #173: Joseph McKeehen raised to 4 million on the button and Hugo Pingray three-bet to 9.5 million. McKeehen four-bet shoved for 36.05 million and Pingray folded.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:36 AM Local Time
"You hear the door slam and realize there's nowhere left to run..."
| Hugo Pingray | 81,750,000 | 25,500,000 |
| Joseph McKeehen | 36,050,000 | -25,500,000 |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:36 AM Local Time
Hands #163-167: Flush Swings Momentum Pingray's Way
Hand #163: Hugo Pingray received a walk.
Hand #164: Pingray raised to 4 million from the button only to have Joseph McKeehen three-bet to 10.5 million. Pingray folded and McKeehen folded.
Hand #165: McKeehen raised to 4 million from the button and Pingray called to see a flop fall. Both players checked as the landed and Pingray checked to McKeehen who led for 5.2 million.
Pingray made the call as the completed the board on the river. Pingray checked for a third time and McKeehen pushed out a bet of 7.6 million. Pingray went into the tank for close to a minute before announcing a raise to 19 million total.
McKeehen now took his time to deliberate before making the call. Pingray tabled his for a runner-runner flush to scoop the pot and move to over 81 million in chips.
Hand #166: Pingray raised the button and McKeehen folded.
Hand #167: McKeehen pushed all in from the button and won the big blind and antes.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:26 AM Local Time
"You're fighting for your life inside a killer, thriller tonight..."
| Joseph McKeehen | 61,550,000 | 8,200,000 |
| Hugo Pingray | 56,250,000 | -8,200,000 |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:25 AM Local Time
Hands #158-163: Lead Exchanges
Hand #158: Hugo Pingray raised to 4 million on the button and took down the pot.
Hand #159: Joseph McKeehen raised to 4 million on the button and Hugo Pingray called from the big blind.
The flop came down and Pingray check-called 2.5 million from McKeehen to see the turn. Pingray then check-folded to a bet of 6.2.
Hand #160: Pingray opened to 4 million on the button and McKeehen called from the big blind. The flop fell and McKeehen check-folded to a bet of 4.75 million from Pingray.
Hand #161: Joseph McKeehen raised to 4 million on the button and Hugo Pingray called from the big blind.
The flop came down and Pingray checked to McKeehen who bet 2.5 million. Pingray check-raised to 6 million, McKeehen reraised to 12 million and Pingray folded his cards.
Hand #162: Pingray opened to 4 million on the button and took down the pot.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:14 AM Local Time
"You know it's thriller, thriller night..."
| Hugo Pingray | 64,450,000 | 18,150,000 |
| Joseph McKeehen | 53,350,000 | -18,150,000 |
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:12 AM Local Time
Hands #154-157: Pingray on the Rise
Hand #154: Hugo Pingray limped in and Joseph McKeehen checked to see a flop fall. McKeehen checked and Pingray bet out 2 million with McKeehen calling.
The turn landed the and McKeehen checked again as Pingray pushed out a bet of 4.5 million which McKeehen called as the completed the board on the river.
Both players checked and McKeenen table his , but it would be Pingray's that would see him scoop the pot.
Hand #155: McKeehen opened the pot with a raise to 4 million and won the big blind and antes.
Hand #156: Pingray raised his button to 4 million and McKeehen called as the dealer dropped a flop. Pingray bet out 3.75 million and McKeehen check-called as the landed on the turn.
McKeehen checked and Pingray bet out 11.5 million with McKeehen quickly folding.
Hand #157: Pingray received a walk.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014 12:05 AM Local Time
Level 43 started
Level: 43
Blinds: 1000000/2000000
Ante: 300000
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:58 PM Local Time
"And no one's gonna save you from the beast about to strike..."
| Joseph McKeehen | 71,500,000 | 5,300,000 |
| Hugo Pingray | 46,300,000 | -5,300,000 |
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:57 PM Local Time
Hands #148-153: Back and Forth
Hand #148: Hugo Pingray raised to 3.2 million, Joseph McKeehen called from the big blind and the flop came down .
McKeehen checked to Pingray who bet 3.6 million. A call from McKeehen landed the turn, which he checked. Pingray checked behind, the river completed the board and McKeehen bet 6.1 million. Pingray folded, giving McKeehen the pot.
Hand #149: Hugo Pingray received a walk in the big blind.
Hand #150: Hugo Pingray raised to 3.2 million on the button and Joseph McKeehen called from the big blind.
They checked to the turn of a board of where McKeehen bet 3.2 million. Pingray called to see the river where McKeehen bet 4.7 million. Pingray gave it some thought, but ultimately folded.
Hand #151: Joseph McKeehen raised to 3.2 million on the button and Hugo Pingray three-bet to 8 million from the big blind. McKeehen folded.
Hand #152: Hugo Pingray raised to 3.2 millon on the button, Joseph McKeehen called from the big blind and the flop fell . Both checked, the turn was checked as well and the river completed the board. Both checked and McKeehen won the pot with .
Hand #153: Joseph McKeehen raised to 3.2 million from the button and Hugo Pingray defended the big blind to see a flop fall. Both players checked and the landed on the turn and Pingray led out for a bet of 3.9 million.
McKeehen made the call as the landed on the river and Pingray pushed out a bet of 7.5 million with McKeehen quickly folding.
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:50 PM Local Time
PokerNews Podcast Episode #231: Who Wants to be a Millionaire? feat. Sam Trickett
Thanks to a little PokerNews Podcast run good, Jason Somerville shipped a million dollars on Friday, chopping the Bellagio $100K event with Jason Mercier, Dan Smith and Tom Marchese. The crew discusses that score, then looks at the $1 Million BIG ONE for ONE DROP with the Day 1 chip leader; Sam Trickett.
You can subscribe to the entire iBus Media Network on iTunes here, or you can access the RSS feed here. The PokerNews family of podcasts is now available on Stitcher.
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:42 PM Local Time
"'Cause this is thriller, thriller night.."
| Joseph McKeehen | 66,200,000 | 7,200,000 |
| Hugo Pingray | 51,600,000 | -7,200,000 |
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:41 PM Local Time
Hands #144-147: Top Pair for McKeehen
Hand #144: Hugo Pingray raised to 3.2 million and won the big blind and antes.
Hand #145: Pingray received a walk in the big blind.
Hand #146: Pingray raised to 3.2 million and Joseph McKeehen made the call to see a flop with both players checking.
The turn landed the and McKeehen bet out 3.5 million only to have Pingray raise to 10 million with McKeehen calling as the river landed the .
McKeehen checked, as did Pingray, and McKeehen tabled his for top pair to scoop the pot.
Hand #147: McKeehen raised to 3.2 million from the button and Pingray called as the dealer spread a flop. Both players checked as the landed on the turn and Pingray bet out 3.6 million with McKeehen quickly folding.
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:34 PM Local Time
"You start to freeze as horror looks you right between the eyes...You're paralyzed...."
| Joseph McKeehen | 59,000,000 | -29,400,000 |
| Hugo Pingray | 58,800,000 | 29,400,000 |
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:33 PM Local Time
Hands #141-143: Pingray's Turn to Double
Hand #141: Joseph McKeehen raised to 3.2 million on the button and won the pot.
Hand #142: Hugo Pingray limped the button, Joseph McKeehen check his option and the flop fell . McKeehen check-folded to a bet of 1.6 million from Pingray.
Hand #143 Joseph McKeehen limped the button, Hugo Pingray checked his option, and the flop fell . Pingray checked, McKeehen bet 2.5 million, Pingray check-raised all in for 27.6 million and McKeehen called
McKeehen:
Pingray:
McKeehen looked to pair his king or hit a club, but the turn and river locked up the double for Pingray.
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:27 PM Local Time
"You try to scream but terror takes the sound before you make it..."
| Joseph McKeehen | 88,400,000 | 200,000 |
| Hugo Pingray | 29,400,000 | -200,000 |
Monday, June 30, 2014 11:23 PM Local Time
Hands #137-140: More of the Same
Hand #137: Joseph McKeehen raised to 3.2 million and Hugo Pingray shoved all in with McKeehen immediately folding.
Hand #138: Pingray limped in and McKeehen checked to see a flop fall with McKeehen check-folding to Pingray's flop bet.
Hand #139: McKeehen min-raised the button to 3.2 million and won the big blind and antes.
Hand #140: Pingray limped the button and McKeehen bumped it up an additional 3 million from the big blind. Pingray folded and McKeehen was pushed the pot.