Christopher Frank Joins German WSOP Bracelet Club

For the last couple of years German players have dominated the game at all levels. Whether there’s something in the water or there’s advanced group-think from the German contingent, another German player joined the ranks of World Series of Poker bracelet winner when 22-year-old Christopher Frank took down Event 33: $1,500 No Limit Hold’em for $384,833.

“I don’t think it really has sunk in yet,” Frank said moments after winning. “It’s a very good feeling. I’ve been playing the live circuit for pretty long and I’ve always dreamed of winning something big. Now I’ve done it, so that’s pretty cool.”

At the final table Frank’s head’s up opponent, Ryan Leng, accumulated half the chips in play and busted half of the table. “Ryan had good hands and played well,” Frank said. “I think I played well, but I just had very good situations and spots – it was pretty easy.”

Frank joked about the massive success German players have had lately. “I guess these days the Germans have won so much that an event like this isn’t that exciting anymore,” he said. “I have to win something bigger, then I’ll get a bigger rail.”

“You always try to win every tournament you play and the best one to win is a WSOP bracelet,” Frank said the following day after his bracelet ceremony. Then he commented on how much his fellow countrymen help each other.

Christopher Frank plans on pulling back on his time at the tables. (Photo: PokerPhotoArchive.com)
“It helps that we have a great community of great guys,” said Frank. “We are always discussing hands with each other. There’s so much knowledge between us – it’s easier to get good. A lot of us have been playing pretty long, we’ve got a lot of experience.”

“I’m not really surprised, I thought about it a lot before the Series that it’s kind of likely I’ll win one,” he added. “I’m pretty confident in my abilities, but when it comes it’s great.”

Frank isn’t going to be the next breakout high roller super star, in fact, he’s going to play less poker. “I already played so much the last five years, I will continue to play some good spots and soft tournaments.”

Final Table Payouts

1. Christopher Frank – $384,833
2. Ryan Leng – $237,776
3. Arkadiy Tsinis – $171,208
4. Pratyush Buddiga – $124,615
5. Grant Denison – $91,699
6. Georgios Sotiropoulos – $68,226
7. Noah Vaillancourt – $51,332
8. Max Pescatori – $39,060
9. Michael Gagliano – $30,063