We’re only two weeks into the 2014 World Series of Poker (WSOP) and we already have our first double bracelet winner. Dominik Nitsche, who previously won the WSOP National Championship which was held just before the WSOP-proper, took the title in 2014 WSOP Event #21: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em yesterday, adding $335,659 to his bank account.
Nitsche’s bracelet run is a perfect example of how the combination of skill and luck combine to make poker such a great game. Now an owner of three WSOP bracelets (his first came in another $1,000 event in 2012), Nitsche has to be a good poker player to attain the success he has had. At the same time, though, the poker gods were on his side on a number of occasions on Day 3. Take a look at several of the key, close hands he had yesterday:
• Eliminated Dan Alspach in thirteenth place with A-9 versus 7-7, all-in pre-flop; two Aces flopped.
• Eliminated Jeff Gross in sixth place in a race with Q-Q versus A-K, all-in pre-flop.
• Eliminated Thayer “THAY3R” Rasmussen in fifth place with T-T versus A-K (suited), all-in pre-flop.
• Eliminated Zachary Gruneberg in fourth place with K-Q versus A-J, all-in pre-flop. Flopped a Queen, rivered a King for good measure.
That’s not to say that Nitsche didn’t lose hands; he certainly did. In fact, going into heads-up play against Dave D’Alesandro, Nitsche was in a significant hole, 4,360,000 to 1,770,000. But then the good fortune started again:
• Doubled-up to 2,100,000 (he had obviously struggled before this) with 9-T (suited) versus A-Q when he spiked a Ten on the river.
• Doubled-up to 1,600,000 (he had just lost a big hand) with A-2 versus T-9. Ace-high held up.
• A few hands later, Nitsche limped pre-flop and D’Alesandro checked, bringing on a flop of J-6-9. D’Alesandro check-raised to 180,000 and Nitsche called. When the Queen was dealt on the turn, D’Alesandro bet 250,000, Nitsche pushed, and D’Alesandro called. Nitsche had Q-Q and had been out-flopped, but got there on the turn to double-up once again.
• Nitsche finally pulled just about even when he shoved with A-6 against D’Alesandro’s Q-T.
On the final hand, Nitsche was the big stack (obviously) and D’Alesandro decided to move all-in pre-flop with Q-7. Nitsche called with K-6 and flopped two pair. A Queen also flopped, giving D’Alesandro a remote chance at victory, but he couldn’t buck the odds as Dominik Nitsche won his second bracelet of 2014.
Certainly, Dominik Nitsche is a strong player. He has shown that repeatedly and the hands listed here were only some of the hands he played. But part of the beauty of poker is that you never know exactly what is going to happen when that next card is revealed. Tuesday was Nitsche’s lucky day.
2014 World Series of Poker Event #21: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em – Final Table Results
1. Dominik Nitsche – $335,659
2. Dave D’Alesandro – $208,931
3. Bob Bounahra – $145,229
4. Zachary Gruneberg – $104,594
5. Thayer Rasmussen – $76,443
6. Jeff Gross – $56,549
7. Eric Milas – $42,382
8. Billy Horan – $32,168
9. David Burt – $24,702
* Tournament information and image courtesy WSOP.com.