WSOP Event #27: Ylon Schwartz Rides the $1,500 HORSE for $267,081

Ask any poker player you run into what their favorite poker game is and you will get many different answers. Not only is it natural to have a favorite game of poker, but it is easier – learning how to master one version of poker is hard enough, let alone being good in five different games.

That is exactly what the game of HORSE requires, not just a mastery of Holdem, but also Omaha, Razz, Stud, and Stud Hi/Low (Eight or better). A daunting task for most, but for an expert former chess hustler and professional poker player like Ylon Schwartz, it almost seems easy for him to float from one poker game to another, collecting chips along the way.

Because he is proficient in all poker games, it is a no-brainer for Ylon to line up as one of 889 players with their eye on gold and the $1,200,150 total prize pool of Event #27 at the 2012 WSOP, the $1,500 HORSE event. Even though the field was stacked with well-known poker faces, Ylon wasn’t worried, the New York native was a long-shot in the 2008 WSOP Main Event after winning an online satellite, but against all odds, he ended up as one of the November Nine – finishing 4th for $3,774,974.

The huge field in the HORSE event meant an unscheduled fourth day of play – and on that fourth day, Ylon took his final table seat. He played his best game, and as players fell, Ylon made it to the heads-up session where he faced off against WSOP bracelet owner David Chiu. After a lot of trading chips back and forth, the deciding hand came in Stud, when Ylon showed down – quad sevens! Chiu was crippled and with just one big bet left, he was soon regaled to runner-up status, leaving Ylon to collect his well deserved first WSOP gold bracelet and $267,081 in cash.

His HORSE victory gives Schwartz his first WSOP title to add to his 22 previous cashes, and $4,426,090 in career WSOP earnings.

Ylon will be the first to admit that just “being Ylon Schwartz” has been a bazaar ride through life. Read more about his unusual life and winning moments at WSOP.com.

Watch his winning interview with Kristy Arnett of PokerNews.com here:

Final Table Results:

View the PokerNews live report here.

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