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Calvin Lee Wins 2016 World Series of Poker $3,000 Six-Max No-Limit Hold'em

28-Year-Old Poker Pro Defeats Field of 1,029 Entries To Win First Bracelet and $531,577

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After four days of poker action Calvin Lee emerged victorious in the 2016 World Series of Poker $3,000 six-max no-limit hold’em event. The 28-year-old South-Korean born poker pro topped a field of 1,029 entries to win $531,577 and his first WSOP gold bracelet.

“It means a lot to me,” said Lee after securing the bracelet. “I have the same story as everyone my age, I grew up watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN and just dreaming that one day I would make it here. To actually have that chance and to actually win this bracelet just means so much to me that I can’t really put it into words.”

The event was only scheduled to run three days, but play was halted with five players remaining at the end of the third day. Coming into day 4 Lee held the second largest chip stack behind the sole bracelet winner remaining in Will Givens. Lee surged up the leaderboard by eliminating Martin Kozlov in fifth place ($110,389) and then found himself on the good side of a preflop cooler against Givens, with his pocket queens besting Given’s pocket jacks to send Givens to the rail in fourth place ($156,281).

Steven ThompsonSteven Thompson then busted Mark Herm in third place ($224,805) to take a 4-to-3 chip lead into heads-up play against Lee. The two battled for 54 hands, with Thompson jumping out to a quick lead before Lee mounted a comeback. By the time the final hand arose Lee had ground Thompson down to just 13 big blinds. Lee limped in from the button and Thompson checked.

The flop brought the 7Heart Suit5Diamond Suit2Club Suit and Thompson bet 300,000. Lee moved all in after a few moments of consideration Thompson made the call, flipping up his 8Diamond Suit7Club Suit. Lee had him outkicked with the 7Diamond SuitQSpade Suit. The turn brought the 5Club Suit and the river the 4Spade Suit to lock up the pot for Lee, sending Thompson to the rail as the runner up with $328,487.

*Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded in this event.

Place Player Earnings (USD) POY Points
1 Calvin Lee $531,577 1440
2 Steven Thompson $328,487 1200
3 Mark Herm $224,805 960
4 William Givens $156,281 720
5 Martin Koslov $110,389 600
6 Alexander Queen $79,246 480

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