With action going on across two platforms, the 2020 online WSOP has ramped up the action. For the first full weekend of play on WSOP.com and GGPoker, the bracelets have been flowing like water. That doesn’t mean that the crème of the crop hasn’t come to the fore, however, as top pro Nick ‘samadhi’ Binger headlines the champions that have recently been crowned.
Binger Tops $400 Eight Handed No Limit Hold’em
On Friday night, 1590 players journeyed to the virtual felt with their eyes set on capturing the WSOP bracelet. 818 times someone used (at least) a “second chance” as the reentries hammered the online cage. By the time the dust had settled, a 2408 entry pool had been created, with the prize of $866,880 built up for 330 lucky souls.
2020 online WSOP bracelet winner Pat ‘ichiikawawa’ Lyons couldn’t duplicate his success of earlier in the series, going out on the bubble at WSOP.com. Meanwhile, Binger stormed to the top of the ladder at the eight handed final table. It wasn’t going to be easy for Binger, however, as he faced top high stakes pro Matt ‘Berkey11_S4Y’ Berkey and WSOP bracelet holder Ryan ‘Adopt_aDogg0’ Leng.
Berkey would go down in seventh place after his A-10 was rudely beaten by the rivered King high straight of Philip ‘eric_shun’ Beesley. Leng would prove to be the main challenger for Binger, challenging him for the lead when play came down to four handed. After Leng picked off Ian ‘aulululululu’ Waldron and Beesley in fourth and third places, respectively, he entered the heads-up battle with Binger with a 4:1 lead and visions of a second WSOP bracelet in his eyes.
The poker gods giveth and the poker gods taketh away, however. Binger was able to get two key double ups to switch the fortunes and take a 2:1 lead himself. On the final hand, Binger moved all in pre-flop with K-8 off suit and Leng had pocket nines waiting for battle. A King on the flop gave Binger a slight edge, but the monochrome three diamond flop had diamond redraw outs (as well as the two nines) that could have saved Leng. Unfortunately, none of those outs would come as Leng came up short on getting his second WSOP bracelet and Binger picked up his second piece of jewelry.
1. Nick ‘samadhi’ Binger, $133,413
2. Ryan ‘Adopt_aDogg0’ Leng, $82,440
3. Philip ‘eric_shun’ Beesley, $60,161
4. Ian ‘aulululululu’ Waldron, $44,298
5. Mark ‘bansman’ Bansemar, $32,941
6. Norman, ‘abnormality’ Michalek, $24,706
7. Matt ‘Berkey11_S4Y’ Berkey, $18,638
8. Christian ‘CalcFather’ Calcano, $14,217
Last Week for WSOP.com As GGPoker Schedule Picks Up
The upcoming days will spell the end for the WSOP.com leg of the 2020 online WSOP. Highlighting the end of the week will be the $2000 No Limit Hold’em Deepstack tournament, Event #29 on the WSOP.com schedule, while the Championship Event of the WSOP.com schedule, a $1000 buy in tournament, kicks off on Friday. After July 31, the 2020 online WSOP schedule will be completely in the hands of GGPoker.
There are some rather big events on the GGPoker leg this upcoming week. On Tuesday, the $10,000 Short Deck No Limit Hold’em Championship will take place, with Wednesday occupied by the $2500 Six Handed No Limit Hold’em event. Next Sunday, the “Millionaire Maker” will be played on GGPoker, with a $5 million guaranteed prize pool, a million-dollar payday for first place and a $1500 buy in. While the WSOP.com arm of the 2020 online WSOP may be closing, the GGPoker arm will keep rolling through to September.