Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout
Day 3 Completed
2023 World Series of Poker
Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout
Day: 3
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
2023 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$3,000
Prize Pool
$4,266,660
Entries
1,598
Level
37
Blinds
500,000 / 1,000,000
Ante
1,000,000
Entries
19
Players Left
1
Level 37
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
A hard-fought final table which lasted almost seven hours was finally put to bed by Robert Schulz, when he defeated Julien Sitbon, to take down the $675,275 prize for first place in Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout.
In keeping with previous events at the 2023 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the numbers exceeded the previous edition of the contest, attracting 1,598 runners and generating a prodigious prize pool of $4,266,660.
2Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Robert Schulz | Germany | $675,275 |
| 2 | Julien Sitbon | France | $417,338 |
| 3 | James Mendoza | Philipines | $303,884 |
| 4 | Barak Wisbrod | Israel | $233,657 |
| 5 | Dario Sammartino | Italy | $166,404 |
| 6 | Robert Burlacu | Romania | $125,170 |
| 7 | Nazar Buhaiov | Ukraine | $95,203 |
| 8 | Kunal Patni | India | $73,225 |
| 9 | Jesse Lonis | United States | $56,963 |
| 10 | Shon Aroeti | Israel | $44,823 |
Schulz is no stranger to big final tables, having previously amassed over a million dollars on his Hendon Mob profile, but this was his grandest win to date. The occasion did not hinder the unflappable German, who remained the personification of calmness throughout.
The final table was a veritable United Nations of poker, with no fewer than nine countries being represented. And there were boisterous rails supporting several of the participants, but nothing could distract Schulz from fulfilling his ultimate goal.
Final Table Action
First to bust from the unofficial final table of ten, was Shon Aroeti, when his ace-ten was outkicked by Schulz’s ace-king — and that was before the board ran out with two more kings. He was swiftly followed to the payout desk by Jesse Lonis and Kunal Patni.
Nazar Buhaiov fell in seventh place, his nines out flopped by Schulz’s ace-king. And Robert Burlacu went in sixth, another victim to the unstoppable German.
Dario Sammartino was next to go – Barak Wisbrod rivering an ace to end his WSOP dream, at least for the time being.
But it was Wisbrod who would succumb in fourth when he couldn’t overcome Sitbon’s pocket eights.
James Mendoza departed in third place, with what proved to be the defining moment in Shultz’s tournament, giving him a commanding lead over Sitbon, who only lasted a few more hands.
Winner’s Reaction
Asked if he was always so composed, Schulz replied, “I would say so. I think I’m on the calmer side. Usually, it takes pretty extreme things to put me out of balance.” It is hard to imagine much that could be more extreme than a WSOP final table.
Summing up his emotions, he said he felt, “Exhausted, relieved, and yeah, proud as well. I think I played fine.”
On the subject of what he will do next, Schulz commented, “I think I’m coming down with a cold; I’ve been sniffing and coughing, so I think I’m going to take it slow. Let’s see how tomorrow is, and then maybe then I’ll want to play again.”
Finally, reflecting on how he managed to remain unfazed through the vociferous railing, Schulz simply said, “I don’t speak French, so I’ve no clue what they said.”
Schulz's impressive victory takes his lifetime earnings from live poker tournaments past the $1.76 million mark and bumps him up to 37th in Germany's all-time money list. Based on this performance alone, it is highly likely we shall see Schulz at another WSOP final table in the not-too-distant future.
Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the 2023 WSOP to see if Schulz shakes off his cold and battles his way to glory once again.
Level 37
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
Julien Sitbon shoved all in from the button for his last 9,600,000 and Robert Schulz called.
Julien Sitbon: Q♣5♥
Robert Schulz: A♦2♣
The board ran out 9♥J♦6♥8♣J♥. Losing to the ace high of Schulz, Sitbon finished runner-up for $417,338. Sitbon's lively rail chanted "Merci Sitbon! Merci Sitbon!" as he made his exit.
Robert Schulz was declared the winner of Event #59: $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em Freezeout. Stay with PokerNews for a full tournament recap and winner's interview to follow.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
63,920,000
9,620,000
|
9,620,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
||
Level 37
: Blinds 500,000/1,000,000, 1,000,000 ante
Robert Schulz limped in from the button and Julien Sitbon in the big blind checked his option.
The hand checked through to the river as the full board read 3♥9♦10♦K♣Q♠. Sitbon now took the lead for 1,600,000.
Schulz spent some time in the tank before raising the bet to 4,800,000. Pained by his decision, Sitbon took some time before finally deciding to fold.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
54,300,000
8,400,000
|
8,400,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
9,600,000
-8,400,000
|
-8,400,000 |
|
|
||
Level: 37
Blinds: 500,000/1,000,000
Ante: 1,000,000
Level 36
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
Robert Schulz raised from the button to 2,000,000 and Julien Sitbon defended in the big blind.
On a flop of 8♣6♣A♥, Sitbon check-called a bet of 1,600,000 from Schulz.
The 4♠ turn checked through to the 9♥ on the river. Sitbon now led for 10,000,000, leaving himself just 800,000 chips behind.
Schulz mulled over the decision before finally deciding to fold.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
45,900,000
-4,520,000
|
-4,520,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
18,000,000
4,500,000
|
4,500,000 |
|
|
||
Level 36
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
James Mendoza raised to 1,600,000 from the button. After thinking for a short while, Robert Schulz reraised to around 6,000,000.
Mendoza swiftly announced all in and Schulz called instantly.
James Mendoza: 10♣10♦
Robert Schulz: K♠K♦
The board ran out 5♦3♦2♣4♠J♣ and Schulz took the hand. The chip stacks were incredibly close but after a careful count it was established that Mendoza was covered and he headed to the rail.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
50,420,000
29,920,000
|
29,920,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
13,500,000
1,000,000
|
1,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
Busted | |
Level 36
: Blinds 400,000/800,000, 800,000 ante
Barak Wisbrod raised from the cutoff to 1,600,000 finding James Mendoza in the big blind, who defended.
Mendoza check-called a bet of 800,000 from Wisbrod on a board of 8♠7♠A♣.
The J♦ turn checked through to the J♠ on the river. Mendoza now lead out for 2,700,000. Wisbrod declared all in putting Mendoza to the test for his last 12,400,000 and Mendoza snap-called.
James Mendoza: J♥8♥
Barak Wisbrod: A♠5♠
The river gave Wisbrod the nut flush while also giving Mendoza a full house. Wisbrod was left with 4,600,000 behind.
Two hands later, Julien Sitbon raised from the cutoff to 1,600,000 and Wisbrod moved all in for his last 2,100,000. Both Robert Schulz and Sitbon called.
On a flop of 4♠5♦Q♦, Schulz check-folded to a bet of 800,000 from Sitbon and the hand went to a showdown.
Barak Wisbrod: K♥8♥
Julien Sitbon: 8♦8♠
The turn and river came the 10♦ and 6♦ respectively giving Sitbon a flush and eliminating Wisbrod.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
29,900,000
12,980,000
|
12,980,000 |
|
|
12,500,000
1,900,000
|
1,900,000 |
|
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
||
Level: 36
Blinds: 400,000/800,000
Ante: 800,000
Level 35
: Blinds 300,000/600,000, 600,000 ante
Players are on a 15-minute break.