Ben Zamani Wins 2015 World Series of Poker $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em

Benjamin Zamani had quietly put together more than $1.8 million in live tournament earnings, but despite plenty of titles online he had yet to capture a signature live tournament win. He fell just short less than a week ago when he finished runner-up in the $1,500 no-limit hold’em shootout to Barry Hutter.

All of that changed when he topped a field of 1,844 players to win event no. 20 at the 2015 World Series of Poker, a $1,500 no-limit hold’em tournament. For the win the 28-year-old poker pro from Boca Raton, Florida earned his first gold bracelet and the $460,640 first-place prize to increase his career earnings to $2.3 million. He was also awarded 1,080 Card Player Player of the Year points. This was his fifth final table of the year, and as a result of this most recent score he climbed into third place in the overall standings with 2,801 and in year-to-date earnings of $785,647.

The event was scheduled to last three days, but play was halted with five remaining at 2:00 AM. When they returned Zamani held the chip lead, with fellow Floridian pro Natasha Barbour as the second largest stack. Perhaps the most successful player in terms of live tournament results among the final five was EPT Berlin Kevin MacPhee, although he entered the final day with the second fewest chips.

McPhee looked like he was well on his way to rebuilding early on day four when he got all-in preflop with the AK against Barbour’s AQ and flopped a J103. The turn A kept MacPhee well ahead, but the Kon the river gave Barbour the straight and sent MacPhee to the rail in fourth.

Barbour was able to survive to heads-up play only a few big-blinds behind Zamani, but he was able to quickly extend that lead before the dramatic final hand arose. With blinds at 100,000 – 200,000 and an ante of 30,000 Barbour limped from the button with the 109 and Zamani raised to 710,000 with the AQ. Barbour then three bet to 1.6 million only to have Zamani four-bet to 2.9 million.

Barbour made the call and the flop came down A72 and Zamani made a relatively small bet of 950,000. Barbour made the call and the turn paired the board with the A. Zamani checked to Barbour with his trip aces and she quickly moved all-in. Zamani made the call and showed Barbour that she was drawing dead. The 8 on the river was a mere formality, making Zamani’s victory official and sending Barbour to the rail as the runner-up with $284,911.

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

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

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