Saturday, June 25, 2016 8:14 PM Local Time
After a long wait and multiple close calls, Christopher Vitch has finally won a World Series of Poker gold bracelet.
The 33-year-old professional poker player from Phoenix, AZ won the $2,500 buy-in Mixed Triple-Draw Lowball (Limit) tournament, which was played over three days and nights and just concluded at the Rio in Las Vegas.
Vitch collected $136,854 in prize money. The victory was particularly satisfying in light of a previous second-place finish and two thirds in recent years. This time, Vitch not only won this first World Series of Poker gold bracelet. He also demolished the final table like no other player yet at this year’s series.
In reality, Vitch’s road to this moment of glory was paved with ambition and determination. He started playing poker online about 13 years ago, and focused primarily on Limit Hold’em. However, Vitch discovered a liking and natural talent for a new online game that was initially played for small stakes, which was Triple-Draw Lowball. Vitch began focusing much of his time and energy into this niche form of poker and gradually worked his way up into some of the bigger cash games played in Phoenix and Las Vegas.
“I became one of the better players in Triple-Draw before there was much information about the game,” Vitch said when asked about what accounted for taking up a more obscure game variant. “I feel like I had lots of experience in the game compared to most people who were just picking it up.”
While he was gradually becoming one of the world’s best players in various forms of Draw Lowball, Vitch didn’t focus much on the tournament aspect of poker. His goal was to get the money. Then, Vitch decided to play a heavier WSOP schedule last year. He entered 16 events, a heavy workload for someone not accustomed to the annual summer series and the grind it can be for some. Vitch managed to come in second in one event, which paid $111,860 and he cashed in another. More important for Vitch’s future goals – he became caught up in the WSOP excitement and was determined to return to the Rio this year and win a gold bracelet.
That goal appeared to be within reach during the second week of the series. Vitch took third place in the $1,500 buy-in HORSE event. Still, he came within grasp of the bracelet, but it departed around the wrist of his opponent.
“I’d previously gotten 2 thirds and a second,” Vitch said. “Each time I looked back and thought I ran super good the whole way, but then I hit a bump in the road. I don’t know how much you have to run good to win, but then I found out. On Day One and especially on Day Three I made really big hands. You have to do that to win, even though these are some of my best games. You still have to run well at this level.”
Vitch min-cashed a tourney three days earlier and almost didn’t even enter this event.
“I late registered, because I was still in the Six-Handed Limit,” Vitch said. “If I would have gone much deeper in that tournament, I would have skipped this one. I was really, really mad when I busted out in that. But it turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. So, it was an interesting turn of events.”
The new champion won his victory by coming out on top at a final table which included several tough opponents, including a player who plays regularly with Vitch at his home casino near Phoenix. David Gee, from Gilbert, AZ came in third. The final moment of triumph came when Vitch scooped the final pot of the tournament against Siegfried Stockinger, from Linz, Austria who finished as the runner up.
Vitch has been playing poker professionally for more than a decade. He still mostly plays in cash games. During the online poker boom, Vitch was co-owner and a poker instructor at the website DeucesCracked.com.
“I’ve read a lot of things over the years about ‘the best player never to have won a gold bracelet,” Vitch said. “I’m sure there are many players in that category who are deserving. But I always thought I belonged in that conversation. So now, to get the gold bracelet, it justifies that level of confidence and what I was thinking.”
This was a first-time event at the WSOP. The competition included three forms of lowball draw poker, played in rotation. The games were Deuce-to-Seven Triple Draw, Ace-to-Five Triple Draw, and Badugi.
This tourney attracted 236 entrants which created a prize pool totaling $536,900. The top 36 finishers collected prize money.
Aside from the winner, here’s a brief report of the other top finishers who made the final table:
Second Place: Siegfried Stockinger, from Austria, finished as the runner up. He cashed for the first time at the WSOP since 2011 with this deep run, which paid $84,572.
Third Place: David Gee, from Gilbert, AZ has previously posted 13 cashes at the WSOP. He came in fifth in an event a few years ago, so this was his highest finish, to date. Gee received $55,511.
Fourth Place: Damjan Radanov, from Memphis, TN made a deep run, coming in fourth place. This was his best showing at the Las Vegas summer series, which paid $37,375. This was his second-highest cash in a WSOP-related tournament. Two years ago, Radanov won the WSOP Circuit Main Event championship at Harrah’s New Orleans, for which he was awarded a gold ring.
Fifth Place: Michael Schiffman, from Henderson, NV made his first six-figure score in a series event by coming in fifth place. He earned $25,830. The last time he cashed in a WSOP event was two years ago, when he also took fifth place.
Sixth Place: Gary Benson, from Sylvania Southgate, Australia finished in sixth place. He collected $18,336. Benson won a gold bracelet in his first WSOP cash back in 1996 (Seven-Card Stud). He now has 20 series cashes.
Seventh Place: Anthony Lazar, from Maple Grove, MN made his second final table at this year’s series, coming in seventh place (he took fifth place in the $1,500 buy-in Eight-Game Mix). Lazar pocketed $13,380.
This was the 40th official event on this year’s schedule. This leaves 29 gold bracelet events still to be played at the 2016 WSOP.Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:48 PM Local Time
Chris Vitch, Winner of Event #40: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball (Limit)
2-7 Triple Draw
Sigi Stockinger raises and Chris Vitch calls.
On the first draw Vitch takes two and Stockinger takes three. Vitch bets and Stockinger calls.
On the second draw Vitch takes one and Stockinger takes two. Vitch bets and Stockinger calls all in.
On the third draw Vitch takes one and Stockinger takes two. Vitch shows and flips his last card...the . Stockinger needs to not pair to win, and he squeezes his first card. Its . The second card is squeezed, and its , pairing the four, sending the pot, the WSOP gold bracelet, and the $136,854 first prize.
Sigi Stockinger finishes 2nd for $84,572
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:43 PM Local Time
Christopher Vitch raises from the button, and Sigi Stockinger three-bets all in from the big blind for 100,000 total. Vitch calls to put him at risk.
Vitch draws three, and Stockinger draw two.
Vitch draws two on the second draw, and Stockinger draws one.
Vitch draws two on the final round, and Stockinger stands pat.
Stockinger shows for an eight low, and takes the small double up, extending the heads-up match.
Sigi Stockinger - 200,000 (2 BB)
Christopher Vitch - 2,750,000 (34 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:34 PM Local Time
David Gee
A-5 Triple Draw
After the previous hand, David Gee has 100,000 total and is in the big blind. Chris Vitch raises, Sigi Stockinger folds, and Gee three-bets all in. Vitch calls.
On the first draw, Gee draws three and Vitch draws one. On the second draw, Gee draws two and Vitch draws one. On the third draw, Vitch stands pat and Gee draws two.
Vitch shows and Gee shows before squeezing his first card. He sighs, mucks his hand, and shakes Vitch's hand as he is eliminated in third place, taking home $55,511.
Christopher Vitch - 2,500,000
David Gee - Eliminated
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:32 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
David Gee raises from the button, and is called by Sigi Stockinger in the big blind.
Stockinger draws two, and Gee draws one. Stockinger checks, and Gee bets. Stockinger calls.
Both players draw one. Stockinger bets with just 10,000 behind, and Gee calls.
Stockinger stands pat on the final draw, and Gee draws one, and Stockinger stands pat. Stockinger goes all-in for his last 10,000, and Gee calls.
Stockinger shows for a rough six. Gee shows a , and mucks. Stockinger doubles up, and Gee is short.
Sigi Stockinger - 460,000 (5 BB)
David Gee - 100,000 (1 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:25 PM Local Time
| Level: | 25 | | Limits: | 40,000/80,000 | |
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:18 PM Local Time
The final three players are on a 10 minute break.
Saturday, June 25, 2016 6:10 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Christopher Vitch raises from the button, and he's three-bet by David Gee in the big blind. Vitch calls.
Gee draws one, and Vitch draws two. Gee bets and Vitch calls.
Both players draw one card. This time Gee checks, Vitch bets, and Gee calls.
Gee takes one card on the final draw, and Vitch remains pat. Gee checks, Vitch bets, and Gee folds his hand.
Christopher Vitch - 2,300,000 (38 BB)
David Gee - 215,000 (3 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:58 PM Local Time
A-5 Triple Draw
David Gee raises from the small blind and is called by Christopher Vitch in the big blind.
Both players draw two. Gee bets, and Vitch calls.
Both players discard one on the second draw, and they both check.
Both players draw one again. Gee checks and Vitch bets. Gee elects to fold his hand, surrendering the pot to Vitch.
Christopher Vitch - 1,900,000 (31 BB)
David Gee - 680,000 (11 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:45 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Sigi Stockinger raises from the button, and he's called by both David Gee in the small blind and Chrisopher Vitch in the big .
Gee draws one, and Vitch and Stockinger draw two. Gee bets, Vitch raises, and Stockinger folds. Gee three-bets, and Vitch calls.
Gee stands pat, and Vitch draws one. Gee bets, and Vitch calls.
Gee stands pat again on the final draw, and Vitch takes one card. Gee bets, and Vitch mucks his hand.
David Gee - 970,000 (16 BB)
Christopher Vitch - 1,515,000 (25 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:40 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov
A-5 Triple Draw
Damjan Radanov raises and David Gee attempts to call, but puts out too many chips and it is ruled as a three-bet. The blinds fold and Radanov calls.
On the first draw both players draw two and Radanov check-calls one bet from Gee.
On the second draw Radanov takes two while Gee draws one. Again, Radanov check-calls one bet from Gee.
On the third draw, both draw one. Both players have exactly 50,000 behind and Radanov tosses his chips over to Gee's side of the table. Gee calmly says, "Call" and shows .
Radanov mucks, saying, "I had an eight, good game everyone" as he heads to the rail in fourth place, taking home $37,375.
David Gee - 505,000
Damjan Radanov - Eliminated
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:35 PM Local Time
David Gee raises from the cutoff, and he's three-bet by Christopher Vitch on the button. Gee calls.
Gee draws two, and Vitch draws one. Gee checks, Vitch bets, and Gee calls.
Gee draws two again, and Vitch draws one. Gee checks again, Vitch bets, and Gee calls.
Both players draw one card on the final round. Gee checks a third time, Vitch bets, and Gee calls.
Vitch tables for a seven low, and stacks the winnings.
Christopher Vitch - 1,360,000 (22 BB)
David Gee - 240,000 (4 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:28 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Chris Vitch raises and Damjan Radanov three-bets. Vitch calls.
On the first draw both take one and Radanov check-calls one bet from Vitch.
On the second draw both again take one and check in turn.
On the third draw Radanov stands pat and Vitch draws one. Radanov check-calls one bet from Vitch, only to be shown . An annoyed Radanov flings his cards into the muck, with one hitting the dealer, leading to a hasty apology from the Serbian, frustrated at the result of the hand.
Chris Vitch - 1,500,000 (30 BB)
Damjan Radanov - 275,000 (5 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:16 PM Local Time
| Level: | 24 | | Limits: | 30,000/60,000 | |
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:16 PM Local Time
Christopher Vitch (left), Sigi Stockinger (right)
A-5 Triple Draw
There is over 100,000 in the pot heading to the final draw.
Sigi Stockinger draws one card in the small blind, and Christopher Vitch takes one card on the button.
Vitch bets, and Stockinger raises. Vitch calls fairly quickly.
Stockinger shows for the absolute nuts, and Vitch mucks.
Sigi Stockinger - 550,000 (11 BB)
Christopher Vitch - 1,380,000 (27 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:10 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Damjan Radanov raises, David Gee calls from the button, and Sigi Stockinger calls from the big blind.
All three players draw two on the first draw, and action is checked to Gee, who bets. Both remaining players call.
On the second draw, Radanov and Stockinger take two while Gee draws one. Again, action is checked to Gee and he bets, with both Stockinger and Radanov calling.
On the third draw all three players draw one and check in turn. Stockinger opens to scoop the pot.
Sigi Stockinger - 600,000
David Gee - 172,000
Damjan Radanov - 670,000
Saturday, June 25, 2016 5:04 PM Local Time
Damjan Radanov
2-7 Triple Draw
Damjan Radanov raises from the button and gets called by Christopher Vitch in the big blind.
Vitch draws two, and Radanov draws three. Vitch checks, Radanov bets, and Vitch decides to call.
Vitch draws two, and Radanov draws one. Vitch checks, and Radanov bets. "You know check-raises are allowed," comments Radanov. Vitch folds his hand after a few seconds, and Radanov takes the pot.
Damjan Radanov - 800,000 (16 BB)
Christopher Vitch - 1,460,000 (29 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 4:53 PM Local Time
Badugi
Action folds to David Gee in the small blind and he raises. Chris Vitch in the big blind three-bets and Gee calls.
On the first draw Gee takes two and Vitch stands pat. Gee check-calls one bet from Vitch
The same actions occur on the second draw, with Gee again check-calling one bet from Vitch.
On the third draw Gee takes one and Vitch stands pat for the third time. Gee checks, and Vitch bets. Gee doesn't take long to muck his hand and Vitch drags the pot.
Christopher Vitch - 1,150,000
David Gee - 425,000
Saturday, June 25, 2016 4:49 PM Local Time
A-5 Triple Draw
Christopher Vitch raises from the button, and gets called by Damjan Radanov in the big blind.
Both players draw two. Radanov bets, and Vitch calls.
Radanov stands pat, and Vitch draws one. Radanov bets, Vitch raises, and Radanov calls.
Radanov stands pat again, and Vitch takes one card. "Merry Christmas," says Radanov as he bets. "If you raise, I call," he adds. Vitch raises, and indeed Radanov instantly calls.
Vitch shows for a a six, and Radanov mucks.
Christopher Vitch - 1,355,000 (27 BB)
Damjan Radanov - 620,000 (12 BB)
Saturday, June 25, 2016 4:43 PM Local Time
2-7 Triple Draw
Hand 1:
Damjan Radanov raises from the button and David Gee calls from the small blind.
The first draw sees Radanov take two and Gee take three. Radanov throws out a bet and Gee raises. Radanov three-bets and Gee calls.
The second draw sees Radanov take one and Gee take two. Radanov throws out a bet and Gee calls.
The third draw sees Radanov stand pat and Gee take one. Both players check and Radanov's is enough to drag the pot.
Hand 2:
Chris Vitch raises under the gun and David Gee defends the big blind.
Both take two on the first draw and Gee bets, with Vitch calling.
On the second draw Gee takes one and Vitch takes two. Again, Gee bets and Vitch calls.
The third draw sees both players take one. This time Gee checks, and Vitch bets. Gee gives it up.
Chris Vitch - 1,200,000 (30 BB)
Damjan Radanov - 700,000 (17 BB)
David Gee - 540,000 (13 BB)