Sunday, June 29, 2014 5:39 PM Local Time
Haixia Zhang Wins 2014 WSOP Ladies Event Championship
Haixia Zhang is the 2014 World Series of Poker Ladies Event Champion. Zhang defeated Mikiyo Aoki heads up to become the WSOP's latest bracelet winner and claim the first-place prize of $153,470.
Coming into the final table, Zhang had $25,568 in live recorded tournament earnings. Her biggest previous cash was a sixth-place finish for $7,507 in a $235 Rio Daily Deepstacks event earlier this week. With her newest prize, Zhang has more than quintupled her career total winnings.
The day began with two very short stacks among the final nine as Stacey Sullivan and Patricia Cahill each entered play with less than 10 big blinds. On hand #13, Cahill soon ran into the pocket kings of Zhang, then on the very next hand, Sullivan got out-kicked by the bigger ace of Persia Bonella. Action didn't slow down, as Kendra Wray was busted when she was outdrawn on the turn by Zhang in Hand #22.
Pat Landis was the next lady to put herself at risk. Landis open-shoved on the button, Zhang raised to 300,000 from the small blind, and Aoki folded her big blind.
Landis:
Zhang:
A classic race was underway for Landis' tournament life and the dealer swept out a flop of . Zhang had flopped a flush and Landis needed a runner-runner combo to survive. The fell on the turn, giving Landis hope as the hit down on the river and a huge roar echoed through the rail.
Soon after, Bonella was eliminated in sixth place when her flopped bottom pair was beat by Meikat Siu turned top pair. Landis was the next to depart the final table. Her under-the-gun shove with pocket sixes ran into the pocket tens of Aoki. Two hands later, Elizabeth Montizanti's open-shove on the button with pocket threes got out-flopped by Zhang's ace-deuce and Montizanti hit the rail in fourth place.
During three-handed play, Zhang delivered a huge cooler to Aoki. Zhang opened her small blind to 45,000 and Mikiyo Aoki called in the big blind. The flop was dealt . Zhang led out for 100,000, Aoki raised to 200,000, and Zhang made the call.
The dealer delivered the on the turn and both ladies checked to the on the river. Zhang led again with a bet 200,000 and Aoki made the call. Zhang tabled for a turned flush and Aoki mucked .
The three remaining ladies battled for 30 hands before the elimination of Meikat Siu in third
Just a few hands into heads-up play, Aoki was coolered again. Zhang raised her button to 40,000 and Aoki called in the big blind. The flop dropped , Aoki bet 100,000 and Zhang called. The was the turn card and both ladies checked to the on the river. Aoki led out for 200,000, Zhang raised to 400,000, and Aoki called. Zhang announced she made a straight, tabling and Aoki mucked .
Aoki was left with around 300,000 and the very next hand, Aoki pushed all in from the button and Zhang eyed up her opponent's stack. After a minute of thought she decided to call and Aoki was facing elimination.
Aoki:
Zhang:
Aoki needed to connect with something on the board to catch up, but she didn't see anything that helped on the flop of . The turn card was the which added some gutshot outs for Aoki. The river card then brought the which locked up the pot for Zhang, and Aoki was eliminated from the tournament in second place.
Congratulations to Haixia Zhang and all the ladies who played in this prestigious event. Thank you for following along and keep it locked on PokerNews for the rest of the 45th annual World Series of Poker.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 5:04 PM Local Time
Mikiyo Aoki Eliminated in 2nd Place
Hand #87: Mikiyo Aoki pushed all in from the button and Haixia Zhang eyed up her opponents stack. After a minute of thought she decided to call and Aoki was facing elimination.
Aoki:
Zhang:
Aoki needed to connect with something on the board to catch up, but she didn't see anything that helped on the flop of . The turn card was the which added some gutshot outs for Aoki. The river card was the which locked up the pot for Zhang, and Aoki was eliminated from the tournament in second place after beginning the day with a massive chip lead. She has earned $94,800 for her great run in this event.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:58 PM Local Time
Hands #82-86: Action!!!
Hand #82: Haixia Zhang open-raised 43,000 and Mikiyo Aoki called in the big blind. The ladies seen a flop of and both players checked to the on the turn. Aoki bet 75,000 and Zhang called. The fell on the river, Aoki bet 196,000, Zhang called and tabled , Aoki mucked.
Hand #83: Aoki opened to 40,000 and Zhang called to a flop of . Zhang bet 40,000, and Aoki called. The came on the turn, Zhang bet 60,000, and Aoki called. The completed the board, Zhang led out with a bet of 100,000, Aoki raised to 200,000, and Zhang folded.
Hand #84: Zhang open to 40,000, Aoki three bet to 100,000, and Zhang made the call. The dealer fanned out a flop of , Aoki bet 170,000 and took down the pot.
Hand #85: Zhang got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #86: Zhang raised her button to 40,000 and Aoki called in the big blind. The flop dropped , Aoki bet 100,000 and Zhang called. The was the turn card and both ladies checked to the on the river. Aoki led out for 200,000, Zhang raised to 400,000, and Aoki called. Zhang announced she made a straight, tabling and Aoki mucked .
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:41 PM Local Time
Hands #77-81: Heads-Up Play Begins
Hand #77: Haixia Zhang got a walk in the first heads-up hand.
Hand #78: Zhang raised to 40,000 from the button and Mikiyo Aoki quickly three-bet to 125,000. Zhang called and they saw a flop of . Aoki bet 175,000 and Zhang called. The turn card was the and Aoki checked. Zhang bet 200,000 and won the pot.
Hand #79: Aoki raised to 75,000 and Zhang called in the big blind. The flop was and Zhang checked. Aoki bet 200,000 to win the hand.
Hand #80: Zhang raised and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #81: Zhang was given a walk.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:37 PM Local Time
Meikat Siu Eliminated in 3rd Place ($61,114)
Hand #75: Haixia Zhang opened to 50,000 from the small blind and Mikiyo Aoki called in the big blind. The two ladies seen a flop of , Zhang led out with a bet of 100,000 and took down the pot.
Hand #76: Aoki opened wiith a bet of 43,000 from the small blind and Meikat Siu made the call fom the big blind. The dealer issued a flop, aoki led out for 70,000 and Siu called to see the turn, . Aoki led out again, this time for 143,000, Siu raised all in, and Aoki made the call.
Aoki:
Siu:
Siu was drawing dead and as the fell on the river, was eliminated in third place.
| Haixia Zhang | 1,250,000 | 210,000  |
| Mikiyo Aoki | 1,130,000 | 230,000 |
| Meikat Siu | 0 | -360,000  |
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:26 PM Local Time
Hands #70-74: Silence From Aoki
Hand #70: Haixia Zhang raised to 40,000 from the button and Meikat Siu three-bet to 116,000 from the big blind. Zhang made the call and the dealer turned over for the flop. Siu led out for 100,000. Zhang responded by folding, giving Siu the pot.
Hand #71: Zhang got a walk in the big blind.
Hand #72: Siu raised the action to 38,000 and Zhang three-bet to win the pot.
Hand #73: Zhang raised to 50,000 from the button and Siu made the call from the big blind. The flop was and Siu led out for 60,000. Zhang raised to 200,000 and Siu let it go.
Hand #74: Siu limped her small blind and Zhang checked her option. The flop came down and Zhang bet 50,000 when checked to. Siu folded to give Zhang the small pot.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:20 PM Local Time
Hands #65-69: Zhang Back On Top
Hand #65: Meikat Siu raised her small blind to 45,000 and Haixia Zhang folded her big blind.
Hand #66: Zhang opened her small blind to 45,000 and Mikiyo Aoki called in the big blind. The flop was dealt . Zhang led out for 100,000, Aoki raised to 200,000, and Zhang made the call.
The dealer delivered the on the turn and both ladies checked to the on the river. Zhang led again with a bet 200,000 and Aoki made the call. Zhang tabled for a turned flush and Aoki mucked .
Hand #67: Aoki opened from the small blind to 40,000 and Siu called. and Aoki check-folded to a bet of 53,000 from Zhang.
Hand #68: Aoki opened her button to 40,000 and Siu called from the small blind. The flop came and Siu check-folded to a bet of 65,000 from Aoki.
Hand #69: Siu opened to 40,000 on the button and Aoki called from the small blind. The dealer fanned out a flop of Siu bet 40,000 and Aoki check-called to the turn . Aoki led out with a bet of 75,000 and Siu tossed her cards in the muck.
| Haixia Zhang | 1,100,000 | 402,000 |
| Mikiyo Aoki | 900,000 | -334,000 |
| Meikat Siu | 300,000 | -156,000 |
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:07 PM Local Time
Hands #60-64: One to the Flop
Hand #60: Meikat Siu raised to 38,000 and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #61: Siu was given a walk in the big blind.
Hand #62: Haixia Zhang was allowed a walk.
Hand #63: Zhang raised from the small blind and Mikiyo Aoki threw away her hand before the raise even touched the felt.
Hand #64: Aoki raised to 50,000 and Siu called. The flop was and Aoki bet 80,000. Siu folded her hand and Aoki picked up the pot.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 4:00 PM Local Time
Level 22 started
Level: 22
Blinds: 8000/16000
Ante: 2000
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:45 PM Local Time
Break Time Chip Counts
The final three ladies are now on a 20-minute break. Here is how they stack up:
| Mikiyo Aoki | 1,184,000 | 114,000 |
| Haixia Zhang | 698,000 | -2,000 |
| Meikat Siu | 506,000 | -144,000 |
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:42 PM Local Time
Hands #59: Preflop Aggression and Break Time
Hand #59: Meikat Siu limped her small blind and Haixia Zhang added 30,000 on top from the big blind. Siu three-bet to 114,000 and Zhang pushed all in after a couple of minutes. Siu gave threw away her hand and gave Zhang the pot.
These last three players have decided to take another 20-minute break.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:38 PM Local Time
Hands #54-58: Button Raises
Hand #54: Meikat Siu opened to 30,000 on her button and picked up the blinds and antes.
Hand #55: Mikiyo Aoki raised her button to 35,000 and took down the pot.
Hand #56: Siu opened from the small blind to 32,000 and Haixia Zhang tossed her big blind.
Hand #57: Siu opened to 30,000 on the button and both of her opponents released.
Hand #58: Zhang opened her button to 30,000, aoki made the call in the small blind. Aoki check-called a bet of 45,000 from Zhang to see the fall on the turn. Both players checked to the on the river, Aoki led out for 75,000, Zhang made the call, and Aoki tabled to take down the pot.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:30 PM Local Time
Hands #49-53: Big Stacks Battle in the Blinds
Hand #49: Mikiyo Aoki raised to 36,000 from the small blind and was called my Meikat Siu in the big blind. The flop came down . Aoki led out for 50,000 and Siu called. The turn card was the and Aoki checked. Siu checked behind to reveal the on the river. Aoki bet out 200,000 and Siu took a minute to decide to fold.
Hand #50: Aoki raised to 30,000 and won the blinds and antes.
Hand #51: Haixia Zhang raised to 35,000 from the small blind and Aoki three-bet her big blind to 95,000. Zhang four-bet to 200,000 and Aoki quickly called. The dealer slid out for a flop and Zhang led out for 100,000. Aoki raised to 200,000 and Zhang tanked for over a minute before folding her hand and giving Aoki this big pot.
Hand #52: Zhang raised to 35,000 and won the small pot.
Hand #53: Siu limped her small blind and Zhang checked her option. The flop was delivered and Siu bet 25,000. Zhang folded and Siu won the hand.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:21 PM Local Time
Elizabeth Montizanti Eliminated in 4th Place ($44,770)
Hand #47: Haixia Zhang got a walk in her big blind.
Hand #48: Elizabeth Montizanti open-shoved on the button, Zhang asked for the count in the small blind, Montizanti's all in was for 111,000, and Zhang made the call.
Montizanti:
Zhang:
Montizanti was in good shape for the double up until the dealer delivered a flop of . Zhang had hit her ace and after the turn and river -- -- Montizanti was busted in fourth place.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:15 PM Local Time
Patty Landis Eliminated in 5th Place ($33,279)
Hand #45: Haixia Zhang raised to 35,000 and Meikat Siu made the call. The dealer revealed for a flop and Siu checked. Zhang bet 50,000 and Siu gave up her hand, awarding Zhang the pot.
Hand #46: Patty Landis shipped it in the middle from under the gun and Mikiyo Aoki called.
Aoki:
Landis
The board ran out and Landis couldn't catch up to the tens. She was eliminated in fifth place and has earned $33,279.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:13 PM Local Time
Persia Bonella Eliminated in 6th Place ($25,072)
Hand #43: Elizabeth Montizanti moved all in on the button for 109,000 and the ladies in the blinds folded.
Hand #44: Persia Bonella opened to 35,000 under the gun, Meikat Siu called from middle position, and Mikiyo Aoki called in the big blind. A three-way flop was dealt , Aoki checked, Bonella bet 58,000, Siu raised to 116,000, Aoki folded, Bonella three-bet shoved all in for 167,000, and Siu made the call.
Bonella:
Siu:
Bonella was ahead with he pair of fours and two cards to come. The turn came and Siu had paired her queen to take the lead and the river sent Bonella to collect her earnings in sixth place.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 3:00 PM Local Time
Hands #38-42: Raise, Fold
Hand #38: Elizabeth Montizanti raised it up to 30,000 and action folded around the table to give Montizanti the blinds and antes.
Hand #39: Meikat Siu opened the action with a raise to 30,000 and scooped up the pot uncontested.
Hand #40: Haixia Zhang bumped it up to 35,000 from the cutoff and nobody else wanted to play, so she picked up the chips in the middle.
Hand #41: Mikiyo Aoki raised to 30,000 from the cutoff and Montizanti called from the big blind. The flop came down and Montizanti led out for 40,000 and Aoki quickly pushed all in. Montizanti folded her hand and Aoki scooped up the pot.
Hand #42: Persia Bonella raised to 35,000 and won the blinds and antes.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 2:55 PM Local Time
Final Table Interview: Mikiyo Aoki
Bozeman, Montana's Mikiyo Aoki came into the WSOP Ladies Championship final table with the chip lead. And although things haven't exactly gone her way in the early going, this digital marketing professional and poker amateur is still near the top of the chip counts.
There's a sizable crowd and a rather electric atmosphere around the table today, and PokerNews decided to chat with Aoki to get a sense of what her experience has been like so far in this latest Final Table Interview.
PokerNews: It's really an exciting atmosphere here at the final table. How has your experience been so far?
It's so much fun. Last year I played in the [Casino Employees] event, but this is really my first World Series of Poker event. I didn't really have any expectations coming in, so making it here is really exciting. It's awesome… whatever happens, I'm pretty thrilled.
PokerNews: You came in with the chip lead, but doubled up a few short stacks so far. How are things going?
It's been pretty rough. I called with queens versus [Patricia Cahill's] low ace early on and hit trip queens, but it came runner-runner to give her a straight. Then here I hit the flush but [Elizabeth Montizanti] hit a full house. It has been a little frustrating, but I'm trying to be patient and pick good spots and hopefully build it back up.
PokerNews: There's one small cash on your record to this point. What's your history with the game of poker?
I started pretty young. I have a brother who is a year older than me and I would always play in little five-dollar home games when we were kids growing up. Since then I've played a bit of cash games, a few tournaments, but nothing this big for sure.
PokerNews: There's often a lot of camaraderie in the WSOP Ladies Championship. Has that been your experience so far?
I noticed that too. I don't think I've played against a single player that didn't have a great attitude. Everyone has been so sweet. I definitely agree there's been a lot of camaraderie. When someone gets knocked out everyone is always giving her hugs because we've all kind of bonded coming to this final stage.
PokerNews: Here at this final stage you are on the live stream, under the lights, and a big crowd is watching. Is it nerve-wracking?
Now that I'm here it's easy to focus, but I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, that's for sure. It's definitely exciting.
PokerNews: So what's your plan going forward?
To try to be patient, pick good spots, and hopefully regain the chip lead at some point.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 2:54 PM Local Time
Hands #33-37: Aces Everywhere
Hand #33: Meikat Siu opened to 30,000 from under the gun, Haixia Zhang three bet to 60,000, and Siu made the call. The two ladies went heads up to a flop of . Siu check-folded after Zhang continued with a bet of 50,000.
Hand #34: Mikiyo Aoki raised to 30,000 on the button and Siu called from the big blind. The dealer fanned a flop and Siu check-called a bet of 40,000 from Aoki. The two ladies seen the fall on the turn, Siu led out with a bet and Aoki instantly folded. Siu showed an ace.
Hand #35: Aoki opened to 30,000 and both ladies in the blinds moved out of the way.
Hand #36: Zhang opened to 35,000 under the gun and won the pot uncontested, showing .
Hand #37: Pat Landis didn't like her small blind hand and gave Zhang a walk.
Sunday, June 29, 2014 2:39 PM Local Time
Level 21 started
Level: 21
Blinds: 6000/12000
Ante: 2000