Event #10 of the 46th annual WSOP was completed with Keith Lehr from Bossier City, Louisiana topping the field to win the second WSOP bracelet in his poker career.
The $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Heads-Up Championship attracted a total of 143 entries from around the world who created a prize pool of $1,344,200. Only the top 16 finishers were paid a portion of the money, with the payouts starting from $26,490. As for the champion, he added $334,430 to his poker bankroll.
Up to now, Lehr has collected a total of 19 WSOP cashes and has appeared at 5 final tables. His total WSOP winnings now amount to $1,875,342. What is more, he holds one more WSOP bracelet, which he received back in 2003 for finishing 1st in a $3,000 Pot-Limit Hold’em event for $225,040. Yet, Lehr scooped his biggest ever WSOP cash of $701,757 for finishing 2nd in a $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Six-Handed event during the 43rd WSOP.
This year, the player managed to win every single of the 7 heads-up matches he played over the past three days. On Day 1 of the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em Heads-Up Championship, Lehr defeated Matthew Hyman, Adam Sobolewski, and Justin Oliver. On Day 2, he faced Jake Schindler, Valeriu Coca, and Dee Tiller to win his seat into the heads-up final.
Yesterday, the Louisiana-based player had to play against Paul Volpe from West Chester, Pennsylvania, yet another WSOP bracelet winner who strived for his second win. Although many expected a longer heads-up battle, it took only about 45 minutes for the name of the champion to be announced.
Hand #24, the last one in play, occurred with Lehr holding [Qd][8s] against his opponent’s [6s][3s]. The board ran out [7c][6h][3d][Qs] on the turn and Lehr shoved all-in. Volpe made the call with his two pair. With [8c] appearing on the river, Lehr topped his opponent’s threes and sixes to receive his second bracelet.
As for Volpe, he had to settle for $206,620 of the entire prize pool and a second-place finish in the event, which was held for the ninth consecutive year.
Dee Tiller from Boerne, Texas took 3rd place for $111,525. Matthew Cooper from West Haven, Connecticut finished 4th to receive the amount of $111,525. Valeriu Coca from Moldova was the only non-American player to enter top 5. He was paid the amount of $54,545.
Two-time WSOP bracelet winner J.C. Tran from Sacramento, California and three-time WSOP bracelet winner George Danzer from Germany were among the notable poker pros who made it to the payouts. The players finished 6th and 15th to be paid the amounts of $54,545 and $26,490, respectively.
