Oleksandr Shcherbak Wins 2017 World Series of Poker Europe Monster Stack

Oleksandr Shcherbak has won the first ever World Series of Poker gold bracelet awarded in the Czech Republic. The 29-year-old Ukrainian poker pro outlasted a field of 561 total entries to win the 2017 WSOP Europe €1,100 no-limit hold’em Monster Stack event, the first tournament of the WSOPE’s premiere run at the King’s Casino in Rozvadov. For the win Shcherbak secured his first bracelet and the top prize of €117,708 ($137,718 USD).

This was Shcherbak’s second career live tournament cash and his very first in a WSOP event. He is only the third player ever from Ukraine to win a WSOP title.

Shcherbak came into the final day of the event in seventh chip position with 13 players remaining. Among those who joined him on the final day were 2015 WSOP main event seventh-place finisher Pierre Neuville (11th – $6,945 USD), 11-time WSOP final tablist Ismael Bojang (8th – $11,623 USD) and Italian rising star Walter Treccarichi (5th – $29,001 USD).

Shcherbak eliminated five opponents en route to setting the final showdown with Viliyan Petleshkov. Shcherbak held roughly a 6-to-5 advantage at the start of heads-up action. He quickly extended that lead, only to have Petleshkov mount a quick, if short-lived, comeback. Shcherbak was able to regain control and extend his lead to nearly 2-to-1 by the time the final hand arose.

The two players got all-in preflop with Petleshkov holding the AQ against Shcherbak’s 77. The board ran out J8273 and Shcherbak hit a set of sevens to secure the pot and the title, sending Petleshkov to the rail as the runner-up with €72,747 ($85,114 USD).

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

Related Articles

56th Annual WSOP To Run May 27 - July 16

Fuller Returns To Poker, Wins BetMGM Poker Open

Mike Gorodinsky Captures Fourth WSOP Bracelet

Most Viewed Articles