Ryan Laplante Wins 2016 World Series of Poker $565 Pot-Limit Omaha

Taking down a poker tournament is an emotional experience. After hours or days of intense focus, it is all finally over and you came out on top.

That relief and joy was as plain as day on Ryan LePlante’s face after he emerged victorious in the 2016 World Series of Poker $565 pot-limit Omaha event. The 26-year-old poker pro topped a field of 2,483 entries in the event, the largest live non-hold’em tournament in history, to win his first WSOP gold bracelet and the $190,328 first-place prize. Overcome with emotion, it took a moment for Laplante to compose himself after it was all over before posing for winner photos and taking to the media about just how much this win meant to him.

“I decided at a pretty young age that I was going to do what I loved for a living and not really care about the money,” Laplante said after the final cards were dealt. “Every time there was a new WSOP episode on TV I was watching it, and re-watching it, and re-re-watching it.”

“The World Series of Poker is the biggest thing in the game, and if you don’t have a bracelet to some degree people don’t consider you as big of a name,” he continued. “For them it’s like, ’He’s so good, but he’s still missing this.’ To get something like this when I have been working so hard for it for so long and have had so many big sweats it’s just incredible.”

Laplante came into the final day in sixth chip position among the nine remaining players. He proceeded to bust all but one of his final table opponents. He entered heads-up play with 6,910,000 to Sean Shah’s 5,530,000. Laplante was able to extend that lead before the final hand arose.

With blinds of 100,000 – 200,000 Laplante limped from the button and Shah checked. The flop brought the 963 and Shah checked. Laplante bet 325,000 and Shah responded with a check-raise to 1,375,000. Laplante re-potted and Shah quickly made the call with the 10975. Laplante held the AQ76. The turn brought the Q giving Laplante queens-up. The river completed the board with the 3, securing the pot and the title for Laplante and sending Shah to the rail as the runner up. He earned $117,531 for his deep run while Laplante wrote his name in history books as the champion of the largest non-hold’em event in poker history.

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

For more coverage from the summer series, visit the 2016 WSOP landing page complete with a full schedule, news, player interviews and event recaps.

Related Articles

Jaka Takes Down SHR Rock'N'Roll Poker Open $10k

Charity Series Of Poker Hosts Betting On Miracles On Dec. 4

WPT World Championship Kicks Off Today At Wynn

Most Viewed Articles