Ryan Riess Wins
2013 WSOP Main Event Championship
The 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event has come
to an end. Emerging victorious and winning the massive $8,361,570 first-place
prize was 23-year-old youngster Ryan Riess after he defeated Jay Farber heads
up for the most coveted prize in all of poker. For his runner-up result, Farber
took home a proud $5,174,357.
Back in July, 6,352 hopefuls took their
seats in the 2013 WSOP Main Event, all vying for the richest prize in poker
history. Among them were champions from the past, poker legends, dream chasers,
and grinders from all over. It was then that Riess was just another young face
in the field, but things would all change slowly over the course of the next
seven grueling days of poker. Following Day 7, Riess was one of the famed
November Nine, taking the fifth-largest stack into November. Eight more
eliminations later and Riess was the last man standing.
Entering the final table, all eyes were on chip
leader JC Tran. He came into the final table with a large gap separating him
and second place, but Tran's run ended in fifth place.
Heads-up play
began Tuesday evening and lasted more than three hours and 91 hands.
When heads-up play began, Farber had the chip lead by roughly 20
million over Riess. Quickly, though, Riess powered his way to the front with
expert play and timely maneuvers. Every big pot seemed to be pushed the way of
Riess, although there was one double up for Farber that extended play a bit. At
one point during heads-up play, the two players were within a single 25,000
chip of each other, despite about 192,000,000 in tournament chips in
play.
On that double up, Farber
took his straight draw up against Riess' top pair in a clash on the flop.
Spiking the straight on the turn gave Farber some extra life, but Riess didn't
waver. He sat right back down and went back to work.
On the final hand,
Hand #261 of the final table, Farber was all in with the Q 5
against Riess' A Q. While Riess had a powerful hand in the confrontation,
Farber had two very live cards and a solid chance at doubling up once
again.
Following the flop of J
10 4, Farber was looking for a five to stay alive. His queen would now
give Riess a Broadway straight, and that would've spelled the end. The turn was
the 3, leaving just one more card for Riess to dodge.
The 4
paired the board on the river, and the swarming began. Riess' rail stormed the
stage, engulfing the new champion and piling on top of him. Chants of "Riess
the beast!" rang loud throughout the Penn & Teller Theater, but Riess made
sure to fight his way out of the pack and congratulate Farber on a job well
done.
Overcome with joy, Riess hugged his railbirds one by one,
grabbing his close family members a little tighter than the others, but
nonetheless showing emotion with each person individually. He came into the
final table believing he was the best player remaining, and he can now
rightfully call himself world champion.
Congratulations to Ryan Riess,
the champion of the 2013 World Series of Poker Main Event!
He went on to
say after the event, I was so excited waiting the 100 days to play. I'm
almost speechless. I'm just so happy that all my friends and family could come
out and watch me and support me. It's just such an amazing feeling. And
went on to say, I have been dreaming about this for a long time, ever
since I was 14, and saw (Chris) Moneymaker win. I just had a great feeling
about this. I know the table was tough. Some were saying this was one of the
toughest tables there was, but I was extremely fortunate to catch some cards at
the right moments. I just had a good feeling about it all.
There
are now 38 different players who have won the WSOP Main Event Championship. Of
this number, 28 past champions are still living. Of these, 19 played in the
2013 Main Event. Only a few pastchampions cashed this year. Carlos Mortensen
was by far the highest finisher (10th), followed by Doyle Brunson
(409th):
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2013 No-Limit
Holdem World Championship
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