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Shaun Deeb Wins 2015 World Series of Poker $10,000 Pot-Limit Hold'em Championship

29-Year-Old Poker Pro Wins First Bracelet And $318,857

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As a high stakes cash game player with millions in tournament winnings, Shaun Deeb already had the respect of his peers. What he lacked was a signature live tournament win and a World Series of Poker gold bracelet.

All of that changed on Saturday, June 6th, when he topped a stacked final table in the 2015 WSOP $10,000 pot-limit hold’em championship to capture his first bracelet and the first-place prize of $318,857.

“This is the biggest stage of all, where it’s at in poker, and where you have to win to
prove yourself,” said Deeb after play ended. “I wanted to cross this off my bucket list for quite some time, and I finally took it down.”

Deeb topped a field of 128 entries en route to the title, encountering plenty of tough competition along the way. Joining him at the final table were three gold bracelet winners in Paul Volpe, Sam Stein and 2012 world champion Greg Merson, as well as several other top pros in Jason Les, Dario Sammartino, Ismael Bojang, Kristijonas Andrulis and Jason Koon.

Deeb came into the final day in fourth chip position, but after he busted Koon in ninth place, Sammartino in fifth place and Sam Stein in fourth place he took the chip lead heading into three handed play. Deeb battled with Les and Volpe for 130 hands before Les finally succumbed in third place, leaving Volpe and Deeb relatively close to even in chips going into the final showdown.

Paul VolpeVolpe had already finished runner-up in the $10,000 heads-up championship this summer and was looking to earn his second career bracelet, having taken down the $10,000 deuce-to-seven no-limit single draw lowball championship last year. It was not meant to be this time, as Deeb was able to take a decisive lead in a key hand that basically decided the tournament.

Deeb raised to 120,000 on the button with blinds at 30,000 – 60,000. Volpe called and the flop brought the AHeart Suit5Spade Suit2Spade Suit. Volpe bet 130,000 and Deeb made the call. The 7Heart Suit hit the turn and Volpe bet 290,000.

Deeb made the call and the 5Heart Suit paired the board on the river. Volpe quickly announced “pot,” betting 1,080,000 (leaving him with only 10,000 behind.) Deeb moved all-in and Volpe folded. Deeb showed him the ASpade SuitADiamond Suit for a rivered full house.

Volpe could not make the miracle comeback with his last 10,000 and he was eliminated a few hands later. He took home $197,048 for his second runner-up showing of the Series, as well as 550 Card Player Player of the Year points. This was his sixth final table finish of the year, with two titles won along the way. As a result he moved into tenth place in the overall POY standings.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at this final table:

Place Player Earnings (USD) POY Points
1 Shaun Deeb $318,857 660
2 Paul Volpe $197,048 550
3 Jason Les $142,747 440
4 Sam Stein $105,364 330
5 Gregory Merson $79,182 275
6 Dario Sammartino $60,545 220
7 Kristijonas Andrulis $47,081 165
8 Ismael Bojang $37,227 110
9 Jason Koon $29,911 55

For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2015 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.