Andrew Lichtenberger Wins 2016 WSOP $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Event

Andrew Lichtenberger has finally crossed his name of the ‘best players without a bracelet’ list. The man known by many in the poker world as ‘Lucky Chewy’ topped a field of 1,125 players to win the 2016 World Series of Poker $3,000 no-limit hold’em event, capturing his first WSOP gold bracelet and the $569,158 first-place prize.

“It feels amazing. I’ve been playing the World Series of Poker since 2009 and watching it on TV since I was a kid with the Chris Moneymaker phenomenon, so to be here today and win just feels amazing,” said Lichtenberger after it was all over.

This was the 28-year-old poker pro’s eighth final table at the WSOP, with his prior best finish being a runner-up finish in a 2009 $5,000 no-limit hold’em shootout event. He has won big titles on the World Poker Tour, the Epic Poker League and a WSOP Circuit championship, so it seemed like it was likely just a matter of time until he broke through at the series.

This event was scheduled to run over three days, but an extra day was needed after play was halted after the elimination of Christopher Johnson in third place ($249,336). Lichtenberger came into heads-up play holding more than a 3-to-1 chip lead over Australia’s Craig Blight.

“I felt really comfortable coming in. I had no fears or doubts,” said Lichtenberger. “I kind of thought he would be in the mentality of ’I’ve gotten this far’ and he would be kind of fearless as a result, just trying to go for it.”

Blight was able to hang around and mount a small comeback, but Lichtenberger kept hold of the lead heading into what would be the final hand of the tournament. With blinds of 80,000 – 160,000 with an ante of 20,000 Lichtenberger limped in from the button and Blight checked his option.

The flop came down 742 and Blight checked. Lichtenberger bet 300,000 and Blight check-raised to 800,000. Lichtenberger made the call and the 3 hit the turn.

Blight checked and Lichtenberger fired out a bet of 1.2 million. Blight made the call and the K completed the board. Blight checked again and Lichtenberger moved all in, having Blight’s 5.5 million covered. After some time in the tank Blight made the call with the 74 for two pair only to see Lichtenberger turn over the 65 for a turned straight. With that Blight was eliminated in second place, earning $351,721 for his deep run and Lichtenberger finally secured his first gold bracelet.

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.

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