KT Park champion du Nine-Game Mix, André Akkari runner-up
New York online grinder KT Park has overcome a star-studded field of 456 players, including some of the best mixed game players in the world to win what’s become affectionately known as “The Mini PPC”, the $2,500 Nine-Game mix for a career-best $219,799 and his first World Series of Poker bracelet.
Park’s accomplishment comes in just his second-ever live WSOP event, as he entered heads-up play with a massive chip lead, then defeated Andre Akkari heads-up in front of a boisterous Brazilian rail in just two hands to claim the title.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KT Park | United States | $219,799 |
| 2 | Andre Akkari | Brazil | $135,848 |
| 3 | Phil Long | United Kingdom | $90,411 |
| 4 | David Bach | United States | $61,588 |
| 5 | Taylor Paur | United States | $42,965 |
| 6 | Michael Chow | United States | $30,713 |
Winner’s Reaction
Park’s previous best results have come online, where he’s won a WSOP Circuit ring in 6-max No-Limit Hold’em and has over $100,000 in online earnings. He said his experience playing online mixed games was key to his victory.
“I play a lot of 8-game on PokerStars New Jersey, so it paid off I guess.”
With this event being just his second-ever live WSOP event (he was eliminated from the $1,500 8-game event on Day 1), he says with the bracelet and $219,799 now to his name, he might just play a few more events before the series is done.
“The plan might be to play more and play the rush. I might just grind every day!”
He’s also excited to play the Tournament of Champions at the end of the WSOP and has already signed up for the $3,000 HORSE and the $600 mixed PLO/NLHE event later in the series.
The Day’s Action
Despite 24 players starting the day, the first two levels of play saw lightning-fast eliminations, leaving only 13 players left by the first break of the day. Among those sent away early were Phil Hellmuth, who was the first to go in 24th place, Scott Seiver in 22nd place and Joey Couden in 21st place.
Once back from break, the next round of eliminations began, with GG Poker Ambassador Daniel Negreanu next out the door in 13th place. More bracelet winners were sent away before the final table including Mike Gorodinsky in 11th place and Scott Bohlman in 8th place.
The KT Park Show Begins
Once the unofficial final table began, so did the KT Park show. With 8 players still remaining, he steadily built up a chip lead before solidifying it in a massive Omaha 8 or Better pot that ended with him holding over half the chips in play.
After the elimination of Nick Guagenti in 7th place, the final break of the day was taken with six players left, and while Park wasn’t involved in the eliminations of Michael Chow in 6th place or Taylor Paur in 5th place, he continued to win crucial pots to build his chip stack with another big Omaha 8 or Better pot sending him over the ten million chip mark.
Park then took the rest of the eliminations into his own hands, sending David Bach home in 4th place, Phil Long in 3rd and finally Akkari heads-up to claim the bracelet.
This concludes our coverage of Event #52. Congratulations to KT Park on his impressive victory. Stay close to PokerNews for continuing coverage of the 53rd World Series of Poker from its new home of Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.