Old School Stars Boatman, Judah, Men "The Master" in Final 23
A wild and fast-paced day of eliminations has left some familiar names from the poker history books to battle for a bracelet on Saturday on the final day of the World Series of Poker Event #72: $1,500 Mixed Omaha.
Hendon Mob co-founder and two-time WSOP bracelet winner Barny Boatman (2,480,000) and seven-time bracelet winner Men "The Master" Nguyen (2,480,000) hold two of the three biggest remaining stacks, trailing just Mark Erickson (2,580,000) for the chip lead entering Saturday’s final day of play.
They'll be joined by some other big names, including five-time bracelet winner Adam Friedman (1,190,000), who'll be looking for his second bracelet of the summer. Last year's third-place finisher in this event, Scott Abrams is still in the mix with 890,000, and another old-school legend in two-time bracelet winner Mel Judah has a competitive stack of 815,000 to work with. Two-time bracelet winner Rami Boukai will return with one of the shorter remaining stacks with 385,000.
They'll all strive for the $195,565 first prize and that prestigious WSOP gold bracelet.
Event #72: $1,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
| PLACE | PLAYER | COUNTRY | CHIP COUNT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mark Erickson | United States | 2,580,000 |
| 2 | Barny Boatman | Great Britian | 2,480,000 |
| 3 | Men Nguyen | United States | 1,630,000 |
| 4 | Stanley Krimerman | United States | 1,620,000 |
| 5 | William Slaght | United States | 1,565,000 |
| 6 | Jarod Minghini | United States | 1,515,000 |
| 7 | Adam Friedman | United States | 1,190,000 |
| 8 | Scott Abrams | United States | 890,000 |
| 9 | Anthony Nguyen | United States | 855,000 |
| 10 | Mel Judah | Great Britian | 815,000 |
Recap of the Day
With 223 players returning Friday, the potential for a wild day of rapid eliminations was certainly there, and the action did not disappoint. Before the second break of the day, the field was already down to the 116-player bubble with no hand-for-hand play even needed as Michel Abecassis was busted by Anthony Nguyen to ensure everyone left earned at least $2,413.
Among those unfortunate to not cash were Daniel Negreanu, Sam Farha, Shaun Deeb, and last year’s runner-up in this event Hernan Salazar.
Those who managed to make the money but fell short of Day 3 included 2021 fifth-place finisher Damjan Radanov (112th - $2,413), Day 1 chip leader Kate Krickl (95th - $2,639), two-time bracelet winner Brandon Shack-Harris (72nd - $3,016), three-time bracelet winner Chance Kornuth (45th - $4,113), and two-time bracelet winner Nathan Gamble (38th - $4,713).
As for those still in the hunt Saturday, Boatman scored a huge double knockout late in the day to boost his stack amidst the leaders, while after dropping below 400,000, Nguyen rebuilt "masterfully" to finish with his healthy stack. Erickson helped with a knockout late in the day to ensure his spot atop the chip counts for Saturday's finale.
With so many events running Saturday at the WSOP, this event will be wrapping up in the green section of the Paris Ballroom at 2 p.m. Las Vegas time. Play will begin with Level 26 and as many 60-minute levels as needed to crown a champion.
PokerNews will be there for all the action, so keep it locked right here for updates throughout the day from the new home of the WSOP at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas.
, with Robert Erickson on the button at risk for a gargantuan 1,234,000. Erickson was up against Michael Popejoy in the big blind. 
completed the board to give Erickson a double and the chip lead. 
and Thurber bet pot before instantly receiving a pot bet back from Boatman, Thurber called to go all in for 325,000. 
on the turn gave Thurber additional flush outs but the 
river was a brick and Boatman scooped the pot and increased his dominant lead.
came on the river, and Taylor was no longer betting "small," as she put forward a bet of 105,000.
with Michelle Roth in the big blind at risk for 376,000 against Men Nguyen in the small blind. 
on the turn gave Roth a flush draw, but the 
on the river improved Roth to a wheel and scooped the entire pot to catapult them to the top half of the leaderboard.
on the board, and Boatman bet pot. Hollink called and Romanos re-potted all in for about 360,000. Boatman moved in and Hollink called for a bit under 500,000.
fell on the river giving Boatman a huge win with 
, and Krimerman check-called another pot-sized bet.
and folded face up, sending nines full into the muck.
