World Series of Poker -- Elie Payan Wins $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Event

The 2011 World Series of Poker saw a Frenchman win a gold bracelet for the second time in as many days when Elie Payan won Event No. 22 ($1,500 pot-limit Omaha). Payan joined Bertrand Grospellier as a 2011 gold bracelet winner and he was awarded his first gold bracelet and $292,825 in prize money for his victory over 1,071 opponents in the largest live pot-limit Omaha tournament of all time. Payan topped professionals Jeff Sarwer, Emil Patel, and David Sands on the final day of the event.

The 27-year-old hails from Orelans, France and while he has cashed a half dozen times in European events this was his first WSOP cash. Payan was all smiles after his bracelet win and was gracious during his post-final table press conference, “It’s unspeakable. I do not know how to explain it. I am very, very happy,” said Payan. He continued, “For me personally, it is not that special as far as my nationality. But for poker in France, and for the game to grow there — I am very happy for that. I am very, very happy to win back to back, after ElkY (Bertrand Grospellier).”

Here is a look at the elimination hands from the final table as featured in CardPlayer.com’s summary updates:

Roland Israelashvili Eliminated in 9th Place ($20,863)

Roland Israelashvili started the level as the short stack and played his final hand shortly after it began.

Israelashvili opened for 70,000, Juha Vilkki shoved and Israelashvili called all in.

Israelashvili: Q 7 7 3
Juha Vilkki: K Q 10 8

The board came A K 4 a 6, giving Vilkki two pair. Ronald Israelashvili was the first to go, eliminated in 9th place ($20,83).

Jeff Sarwer Eliminated in 8th Place ($26,704)

Jeff Sarwer opened for 70,000, Juha Vilkki reraised the size of the pot (240,000), and Sarwer called all in.

Sarwer: K K 7 7
Vilkki: A A K 8

Vilkki was ahead with aces to Sarwer’s kings. The board came 6 2 2 6 A, giving Vilkki a full house on the river. Jeff Sarwer was eliminated in 8th place ($26,704).

Cody Munger Eliminated in 7th Place ($34,642)

Cody Munger opened for 40,000, Emil Patel reraised to 140,000 from the small blind and Munger called.

The flop came 8 7 6, Patel checked, Munger bet 300,000, Patel Check-raised all in and Munger called all in.

Patel: A A 10 9
Munger: J J 10 7

Patel was ahead with aces against Munger’s jacks. The turn and river were the K and the J, giving Patel the nut flush on the turn. Munger made a set on the river, but it was too little too late as Cody Munger was eliminated in 7th place ($34,642).

Emil Patel Eliminated in 6th Place ($45,554)

Emil Patel started the level as the short stack after being doubled through several times last level (David Sands twice and Elie Payan once). Patel opened for 105,000 before the flop and Stephen Wolfe called from the big blind.

The flop came 8 7 7, Wolfe bet 225,000, Patel moved all in and Wolfe called.

Patel: K Q Q 2
Wolfe: 6 5 4 3

Patel was ahead on the flop with queens-up, but Wolfe had an open-ended straight draw with a redraw. The turn and river were the 4 and the K, giving Wolfe a straight on the turn. Emil Patel was eliminated in 6th place ($45,554).

Stephen Wolfe Eliminated in 5th Place ($60,754)

Shortly after busting Emil Patel in 6th place, Wolfe got the rest of his chips on a flop of J 9 4.

Elie Payan bet the pot, Wolfe moved all in and Payan called.

Wolfe: A Q Q 10
Payan: 10 7 6 4

Wolfe was ahead with a pair of queens and an open-ended straight draw while Payan had a live flush draw. The turn and river were the 2 and the 9, giving Payan a flush on the turn. Stephen Wolfe was eliminated in 5th Place ($ 60,754).

Juha Vilkki Eliminated in 4th Place ($82,297)

On a board of 7 4 3 10, Elie Payan bet 90,000 into a dry pot on the turn, Juha Villki re-potted to 360,000, Payan shoved and Vilkki called all in.

Payan: 8 3 3 2
Vilkki: Q J7 5

Payan was ahead with middle set, but Vilkki held top pair along with a live flush and straight draw. The river was the 10, giving Vilkii a flush, but Payan a full house. Payan won the pot and Juha Vilkki was eliminated in 4th place ($82,297).

David Sands Eliminated in 3rd Place ($113,383)

David Sands managed to doubled up through the current chip leader Elie Payan right before the break, but still entered Level 25 on the short stack and made his final stand on the first hand back.

Elie Payan limped on the button, Sands raised the pot to 160,000 from the small blind and Payan called.

The flop came 9 5 2, Sands potted for 360,000, Payan shoved and Sands called all in.

Payan: 9 6 6 2
Sands: A K J 4

Payan was ahead with two pair on the flop. The turn and river were the A and the 10, no help to David Sands who was eliminated in 3rd place ($113,383).

Rafe Kibrit Eliminated in 2nd Place ($181,222)

Rafe Kibrit began Level 27 as the short stack and wasted no time pushing it in. Elie Payan completed from the small blind, Rafe Kibrit raised to 180,000 from the big blind and Payan called.

The flop came 4 3 2, Kibrit potted at 360,000, Payan re-potted and Kibrit called all in.

Payan: Q 9 8 7
Kibrit: A A Q 6

Kibrit was ahead on the flop with a pair of aces, but Payan had a live flush draw. The turn and river were the A and the 10, giving Payan a flush on the turn. Rafe Kibrit failed to improve on the river and was eliminated in 2nd place ($181,222). Elie Payan showed up to this final table average in chips and an orbit late, and after one serious roller coaster ride later, he finally closed out Event #22, claiming the gold bracelet and the $292,825 grand prize.

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