Three left for the bracelet
Standing up won't be enough this time
It’s safe to say that since the elimination of Thomas Eychenne, the atmosphere in the French camp has dropped a notch. Still, the final table goes on, and only three players remain in contention for the bracelet, and the €2,000,000 that comes with it. Let’s look back at those who fell just short.
First to go was Hengtao Zhu in 6th place. A near-unknown just days ago, he had become a serious favorite after two impressive days. Entering the final table as chip leader, everything seemed in place for a deep run.
But his day quickly turned into a struggle. Aside from one pot won with pocket aces, nothing came easy. Eventually, he found himself short-stacked. Down to 14 big blinds, he opened A♠ K♦ from the hijack and got called by Marius Kudzmanas in the big blind. The flop came J♦ 9♠ 4♠, and Zhu continuation-bet 1,500,000. Call. The turn 3♦ went check-check, before a 3♠ river. Kudzmanas led small, and Zhu shoved his remaining 11,000,000 into a pot of 10,000,000. A bold move that impressed even the commentators—but Kudzmanas made a strong call with 5♣ 4♣ for third pair.
Zhu exits in 6th place for €320,000, the best result of his young career.
Next out was Spain’s Antonio Garcia in 5th. Likely the least experienced player at the table, he described himself as a “pure amateur”, he opted for a simple, tight strategy, often moving all-in preflop to simplify decisions. And it worked.
Despite playing most of the final table as a short stack, he managed to ladder up step by step, eventually securing €420,000. He did run well, nearly ten times all-in and called, always ahead, always holding. It almost felt like he was destined to stay in. One key moment came against Zhu, when Garcia shoved A♥ K♠ into Zhu’s A♦ A♠. The inevitable setup left him short, and although he survived a bit longer, he eventually fell to Akihiro Konishi.
Four players remained, soon three, after Nikolay Bibov bowed out.
A cash game specialist enjoying his best tournament run, Bibov had played an excellent final table, even taking the chip lead before dinner. But things unraveled quickly after the break.
First, a three-way clash with Kudzmanas and Chris Hunichen. Kudzmanas opened, Hunichen shoved 18,000,000 with Q♦ J♠, and Bibov woke up with A♣ K♥ in the small blind, reshoving for 47,000,000. But Kudzmanas also held A♦ K♣ and couldn’t fold. Despite having the weakest hand on paper, Hunichen was the favorite, and a J♥ on the river confirmed it, giving him the chip lead.
Bibov still had 29,000,000 left, but lost it just two hands later.
He opened A♣ Q♦ from the cutoff, got 3-bet big by Kudzmanas holding A♥ J♣, and shoved. Snap call. A J♠ on the flop sealed his fate. A brutal end, especially with a rail that had come out in force to support him.
He leaves in 4th place with €575,000, a payday that should cover a few celebratory drinks for his fans.
Three players remain. The bracelet is closer than ever.
Photo credit : WSOP-E
Paul Koessler