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2012 43rd Annual World Series of Poker

Sunday, June 24, 2012 to Thursday, June 28, 2012

Event #45: $50,000 Poker Players Championship

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  • Buy-in: $50,000
  • Prizepool: $5,184,000
  • Entries: 108
  • Remaining: 0

EVENT UPDATES

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Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:27 PM Local Time

Champion Michael Mizrachi

And there you have it. Michael Mizrachi is once again the $50,000 Poker Players Championship winner! After a five-day battle with some of the greatest poker players in the world, he came out on top. Mizrachi adds $1,451,527 to his massive list of results and he will now be in fourth place on the all-time money leader board.

The final table started off with a massive bang as Mizrachi won three in a row right away. On the third hand of play, during No-Limit Hold'em, he knocked out both Bruno Fitoussi and Bill Chen.

Chen and Fitoussi Eliminated

Fitoussi started the day as the short stack, and he moved all in for his final 170,000. Chen made the call, Mizrachi three-bet to 400,000 and Chen moved all in for his 1.2 million chips. Snap-call.

Mizrachi showed   , and was miles ahead of Chen, who showed   . Fitoussi had    and after the       board, both Fitoussi and Chen hit the rail.

Chidwick Goes Next

Right from the start Mizrachi crushed his opponents, and it seemed like he was in a hurry to get to the winners party. Stephen Chidwick was the next one to go out, earning $253,497.

During Pot-Limit Omaha, Chidwick got his final money in on the turn with the board showing     . Mizrachi tabled      for a full house, and Chidwick was drawing slim with his     . The river was the   and Chidwick was gone. Mizrachi already had almost half the chips in play at that point.

A Beautiful Run Ends

Roland Israelashvili was the most unexpected name at the final table, as he made the most of his $2,250 investment winning a satellite earlier this week. Israelashvili was the second shortest stack at the start of the day and earned himself $317,882 with his fifth-place finish. Israelashvili got his final chips into the pot in 2-7 Triple Draw when both Bloch and Mizrachi checked the hand down. Israelashvili ended up with a      , but that was no good against Bloch's      .

And Then it Got Quiet

Luke Schwartz was by far the most talkative player at the final table, and his needling comments had many players cracking up. Schwartz couldn't get anything going at the final table, but his fourth place finish is impressive to say the least. This cash marks Schwartz's first in a non Hold'em or PLO tournament and also his biggest to date earning him $406,736.

During No-Limit Hold'em, Schwartz got his money in with    and was up against Chris Klodnicki's   . The board ran out       and due to an unlucky river, Schwartz got eliminated. Klodnicki chipped up nicely and proved himself to be a real contender for the title. He took the chip lead, but that didn't last long.

Bloch Falls Short

Back in 2006, when this tournament was hosted for the first time, it was Andy Bloch who played a record-setting-heads-up match for the title against the late Chip Reese. In 2012 Bloch came close again, but this time he busted out in third place earning $561,738.

Bloch had a good shot at winning this thing with three players remaining, but eventually he ran into the brick wall that was Mizrachi. In Pot-Limit Omaha Bloch lost a big pot, and couldn't pull off a comeback. On Bloch's final hand he got his money in during Limit Hold'em, and both Klodnicki and Mizrachi called when he was all in pre flop. Mizrachi and Klodnicki both checked the     flop, and Bloch got heads up when Mizrachi folded on Klodnicki's turn-bet. Bloch turned over    and was facing   . The river was the   and Bloch was sent home.

The One-sided Title Fight

Mizrachi started the heads-up match with 10.5 million to Klodnicki's 5.7 million. For just a couple of hands Klodnicki got up to more than six-million chips, but from that point on it was the big Mizrachi show. Klodnicki stood no chance against the fearless, agressive and well-running Mizrachi who cruised to victory.

On the final hand in Omaha-8, Klodnicki was all in pre flop and showed     . Mizrachi tabled     , and claimed the title when the board ran out      . Klodnicki took home $896,935 for his efforts, but the massive first-place prize was for Mizrachi who won $1,451,527.

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Michael MizrachiUnited States$1,451,527
2Chris KlodnickiUnites States$896,935
3Andy BlochUnited States$561,738
4Luke SchwartzUnited Kingdom$604,736
5Roland IsraelashviliUnited States$317,882
6Stephen ChidwickUnited Kingdom$253,497
7Bill ChenUnited States$205,856
8Bruno FitoussiFrance$169,879
Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:15 PM Local Time

Chris Klodnicki - 2nd Place

Omaha-8

On the button, Chris Klodnicki raised and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi called to see the     flop. Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet. Mizrachi called.

The turn was the   and paired the board. Mizrachi checked, Klodnicki bet and Mizrachi raised. Klodnicki called. The river was the   and Mizrachi bet. Klodnicki called.

Mizrachi showed the      for three kings and Klodnicki mucked, dropping down to 540,000 in chips.

On the very next hand, Klodnicki and Mizrachi raised back and forth to get the money in preflop after Mizrachi had opened from the button. The hands were on their backs and here's what was seen:

Klodnicki:     
Mizrachi:     

The flop came down     and Mizrachi had a straight draw while Klodnicki picked up a flush draw.

The turn was the   and Mizrachi made a ten-high straight. The river then completed the board with the   and that was it. Klodnicki couldn't hit to make the high and even make a low and was eliminated in second place.

Klodnicki earned $896,935 for the largest score of his career, but wound up just short of the title. That goes to Mizrachi and a complete recap will be coming shortly, so stay tuned.

Michael Mizrachi16,200,0001,100,000
Chris Klodnicki0-1,100,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 6:00 PM Local Time

Omaha-8

Michael Mizrachi raised from the button, Chris Klodnicki defended his big blind.

The flop came down     and both players checked. The   hit the turn and Klodnicki bet, Mizrachi folded.

Finally a pot for Klodnicki who needs a whole lot more to come back in this thing.

Michael Mizrachi15,100,000-10,000
Chris Klodnicki1,100,00010,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:58 PM Local Time

Omaha-8

On the button, Chris Klodnicki limped in. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi raised and Klodnicki called. The flop came down     and Mizrachi bet. Klodnicki folded.

Michael Mizrachi15,110,000160,000
Chris Klodnicki1,090,000-160,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:56 PM Local Time

Stud-8

Every pot seems to be going Michael Mizrachi's way, and Chris Klodnicki can't find a way to stop his opponent.

Chris Klodnicki   /     - Fold
Michael Mizrachi   /    

Klodnicki had the bring-in and Mizrachi completed. Klodnicki made the call. On fourth street Mizrachi checked to Klodnicki who put out a bet. Mizrachi raised and Klodnicki called. On fifth street Mizrachi paired his ace, he bet and took down the pot.

Michael Mizrachi14,950,000325,000
Chris Klodnicki1,250,000-325,000
Gorilla Gaming
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:55 PM Local Time

Stud

Michael Mizrachi   /     
Chris Klodnicki   /      - Fold

Chris Klodnicki brought in and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi completed. Klodnicki called. Klodnicki then check-called on fourth and fifth, but check-folded on sixth and Mizrachi won the hand.

Michael Mizrachi14,625,000300,000
Chris Klodnicki1,575,000-300,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:50 PM Local Time

Stud

Michael Mizrachi   /      /  
Chris Klodnicki   /      /  

Michael Mizrachi had the bring-in, Chris Klodnicki completed and Mizrachi raised. Klodnicki called and check-called all the way down to seventh street. Klodnicki saved himself one bet and folded to Mizrachi's final bet, and he's now severely short.

Michael Mizrachi14,325,000695,000
Chris Klodnicki1,875,000-695,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:49 PM Local Time

Michael Mizrachi and Chris Klodnicki

No-Limit Hold'em

From the button, Chris Klodnicki raised to 80,000. Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi called from the big blind and the flop came down    . Both players checked. The turn paired the board with the   and Mizrachi checked. Klodnicki bet 100,000 and Mizrachi folded.

On the next hand, Mizrachi raised to 90,000 on the button and Klodnicki called to see the flop come down    . Klodnicki checked and Mizrachi bet 100,000. Klodnicki called. On the   turn, Klodnicki checked and Mizrachi upped his bet to 255,000. Klodnicki gave it up and Mizrachi won the pot.

Michael Mizrachi13,630,000130,000
Chris Klodnicki2,570,000-130,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:39 PM Local Time

Michael Mizrachi

No-Limit Hold'em

From the button, Chris Klodnicki raised to 80,000. Michael Mizrachi called from the big blind and the flop came down    . Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet 80,000. Mizrachi called.

The turn was the   and Mizrachi checked. Klodnicki bet 200,000 and Mizrachi called again.

The river was the   and both players checked.

Mizrachi showed the    for a rivered pair of aces and Klodnicki mucked his hand.

Michael Mizrachi13,500,000350,000
Chris Klodnicki2,700,000-350,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:38 PM Local Time

2-7 Triple Draw

From the button Michael Mizrachi raised and Chris Klodnicki defended his big blind.

On the first draw both players took two cards. Klodnicki checked, Mizrachi bet and Klodnicki raised. This wasn't enough for Mizrachi who put in another raise and Klodnicki called.

On the second draw both players took one card, and Klodnicki check-called a bet. Klodnicki needed another card on the final draw while Mizrachi stood pat.

Klodnicki didn't catch what he was looking for as he check-folded his cards.

Michael Mizrachi13,150,000450,000
Chris Klodnicki3,050,000-450,000
Playtika - Jason Alexander
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:33 PM Local Time

Michael Mizrachi and Chris Klodnicki

2-7 Triple Draw

Michael "The Grinder' Mizrachi raised on the button and Chris Klodnicki called from the big blind. Klodnicki drew two and Mizrachi stood pat. Klodnicki then check-called a bet from Mizrachi.

For the second draw, Klodnicki took one and Mizrachi stood pat. Klodnicki checked, Mizrachi bet and Klodnicki raised. Mizrachi called.

On the final draw, both players stood pat. Klodnicki bet and Mizrachi called.

Klodnicki showed a nine-seven, but lost to Mizrachi's      .

Michael Mizrachi12,700,000600,000
Chris Klodnicki3,500,000-600,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:30 PM Local Time

2-7 Triple Draw

From the button Chris Klodnicki raised, Michael Mizrachi three-bet from the big blind and Klodnicki called.

Mizrachi took one card, Klodnicki needed two.

Mizrachi bet, Klodnicki raised, Mizrachi re-raised and Klodnicki called.

On the second draw both players stood pat. Mizrachi bet and Klodnicki called. On the final draw both players stood pat again, and Klodnicki called another bet from Mizrachi.

Mizrachi showed       and took down this pot.

Michael Mizrachi12,100,000800,000
Chris Klodnicki4,100,000-800,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:28 PM Local Time

2-7 Triple Draw

Chris Klodnicki raised on the button and Michael Mizrachi called from the big blind. Mizrachi then drew two and Klodnicki took one. After the draw, Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet. Mizrachi called.

For the second draw, Mizrachi drew two and Klodnicki took one. Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet. Mizrachi check-raised and Klodnicki folded.

Michael Mizrachi11,300,000450,000
Chris Klodnicki4,900,000-450,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:24 PM Local Time

Stud-8

Michael Mizrachi   /      /  
Chris Klodnicki   /      /  

Michael Mizrachi had the bring-in, Chris Klodnicki completed and Mizrachi called. On fourth street Mizrachi had the best board, but he check-called.

Fifth street changed around the action since Klodnicki was now the one check-calling. On sixth street Mizrachi bet again and Klodnicki folded.

Michael Mizrachi10,850,000390,000
Chris Klodnicki5,350,000-390,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:23 PM Local Time

Limit Hold'em

Chris Klodnicki raised on the button and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi reraised from the big blind. Klodnicki called and the flop came down    . Mizrachi bet and Klodnicki called.

The turn was the   and both players checked. The river then completed the board with the   and Mizrachi bet. Klodnicki folded and Mizrachi won the pot. Klodnicki dropped back under six million in chips.

Michael Mizrachi10,460,000480,000
Chris Klodnicki5,740,000-280,000
Playtika - Jason Alexander
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:20 PM Local Time

Limit Hold'em

From the button, Chris Klodnicki raised. Michael Mizrachi called from the big blind and the flop came down    . Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet. Mizrachi raised and Klodnicki called.

The   was checked by both players on the turn before the   completed the board on the river. Mizrachi checked and Klodnicki bet. Mizrachi folded and Klodnicki won the pot.

Michael Mizrachi9,980,000-520,000
Chris Klodnicki6,020,000320,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:14 PM Local Time
Michael Mizrachi10,500,000-400,000
Chris Klodnicki5,700,000700,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:14 PM Local Time

Andy Bloch - 3rd Place

Limit Hold'em

Andy Bloch raised from the button and Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi reraised from the small blind. Chris Klodnicki reraised from the big blind and Bloch called all in for 260,000 total. Mizrachi also called and the flop came down    .

On the flop, both Mizrachi and Klodnicki checked as the on-looking and all-in Bloch sat and waited. The turn was the   and Mizrachi checked. Klodnicki bet and Mizrachi folded.

Klodnicki turned up the    and Bloch the   .

The river completed the board with the   and ended the tournament for Bloch. He finished in third place and earned $561,738 for his finish.

Andy Bloch0-300,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:11 PM Local Time

Limit Hold'em

With Andy Bloch very short we just saw another pot between Michael Mizrachi and Chris Klodnicki. Klodnicki raised from the button and Mizrachi defended his big blind.

The flop came down     and Mizrachi checked. Klodnicki bet, Mizrachi raised and Klodnicki called.

The turn was the   and Mizrachi bet, Klodnicki called. On the river the   hit and Mizrachi fired out another bet. Klodnicki opted to fold giving Mizrachi another big pot.

Michael Mizrachi10,900,000500,000
Chris Klodnicki5,000,000-800,000
Thursday, June 28, 2012 5:10 PM Local Time

Limit Hold'em

From the button Michael Mizrachi raised and Chris Klodnicki three-bet from the small blind. Andy Bloch was in the big blind and he made the call, as did Mizrachi.

The flop came down     and Klodnicki bet, Bloch raised and Mizrachi three-bet. Klodnicki folded his cards and Bloch made the call.

The turn was the   and Bloch check-called a bet from Mizrachi. The river was the   and and Bloch check-called another bet.

Mizrachi turned over    and raked in this crucial pot. Bloch is now crippled and looking to be all in shortly.

Michael Mizrachi10,400,0001,100,000
Andy Bloch300,000-840,000
Gorilla Gaming
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