Oleksii Kovalchuk Wins $2,500 Buy-In Mixed-Split – Seven-Card Stud/Omaha, Event #42

Event #42 Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Low 8 or Better took off on June 22nd with 393 players trying for the coveted spot of last-player-seated to pick up a first place prize of $228,014. Out of the field, 40 would be paid but everyone was in the hunt for a piece of gold.

Though not new to poker, Oleksii Kovalchuk did not know the rules of the games in the Mixed-Split which makes his winning it a pretty astounding feat. He did know poker well enough to have won his first gold bracelet a year ago when he won the $2,500 buy-in Six-Handed No Limit Holdem event.

The final table wasn't an easy ride, there were poker pros, such as Mark Gregorich, George Danzer, and Yuval Bronshtein, just waiting for a mistake or an edge. But it had to be filled with laughter due to WSOP commentator Norman Chad's presence.

Then it was three-handed, Mark Gregorich, George Danzer, and Oleksii Kovalchuk. The chips went back and forth between Danzer and Kovalchuk and Mark Gregorich's chips slid into the abyss created by the heads-up struggle until he was eliminated.

Then it was heads-up.

When the game changed to Omaha-8 Danzer's run to first place ended with two hands.

Danzer three-bet a raise from Kovalchuk. Kovalchuk called.The flop brought the and Danzer bet. Kovalchuk raised and Danzer called. When the hit the turn and the came on the river, Danzer check-called both streets. Kovalchuk opened and Danzer mucked with about 230,000 chips left.

Not long after Danzer raised from the button. Kovalchuk raised. Danzer raised. Kovalchuk raised again and Danzer called all-in.

Danzer:
Kovalchuk:

The board ran out with the . George Danzer missed his only out after the turn - he needed a ten to win. Instead he took home $140,825 for his second place finish.

Oleksii Kovalchuk added another piece of gold to his wrist wear collection and $228,014 to his stack of WSOP cashes. At the ripe young age of 22, Kovalchuk has the opportunity to win a lot of tournaments before his zest for poker hands starts to dim.

Congratulations Oleksii.

PokerNews' Kristy Arnett talks to Oleksii after his win:

Read the official report at WSOP.com.

Be sure to visit PokerNews Live Reporting for all the details.

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