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Eli Elezra has won Event #3: $10,300 Triple Stud Mix at the first-ever PGT Mixed Games series. Elezra topped a field of 60 entries to take the title and $155,000 in prize money.
"I've always liked the version of any stud games and it's really come to prove that I can do it," Elezra said. "I just love it."
With the tournament down to its final two players, Elezra found himself heads up against Yuval Bronshtein. The two made a deal before playing for the title and additional prize money. The deal saw Elezra lock up $135,000 and Bronshtein $145,000. The two players left $20,000 to play for, which Elezra ended up winning.
Elezra is no stranger to seven-card stud formats, and he found himself in a very familiar spot playing a mix of seven-card stud high, seven-card stud hi-lo, and razz. In fact, three of Elezra's five WSOP gold bracelets came in stud formats. He won the 2007 WSOP $3,000 Seven-Card Stud Hi-Lo for $198,984, the 2015 WSOP $1,500 Seven-Card Stud for $112,591, and the 2019 WSOP $1,500 Seven-Card Stud for $93,766. Elezra can now add the PGT Mixed Games $10,300 Triple Stud Mix trophy to his trophy case.
Place | Player | Country | Prize | Points |
1st | Eli Elezra | United States | $155,000* | 180 |
2nd | Yuval Bronshtein | United States | $145,000* | 120 |
3rd | Dan Zack | United States | $84,000 | 84 |
4th | John Monnette | United States | $60,000 | 60 |
5th | Philip Sternheimer | England | $48,000 | 48 |
6th | Yehuda Buchalter | United States | $36,000 | 36 |
7th | Jennifer Harman | United States | $30,000 | 30 |
8th | Phil Hui | United States | $24,000 | 24 |
9th | Michael Filipiak | United States | $18,000 | 18 |
*Deal was made.
Eli Elezra entered Tuesday's final day of play with the chip lead. Six players remained, including John Monnette who still had his Event #2: $10,300 8-Game heads-up match against Albert Daher on pause while he played this one out.
First to bust on Tuesday was Yehuda Buchalter. Buchalter was making his second cash of the PGT Mixed Games series after previously finishing 10th in the opening event. Buchalter was eliminated in this event in sixth place and it was Philip Sternheimer sending him to the rail.
Sternheimer didn't advance any further spots after that, as he went out in fifth place to Yuval Bronshtein. Then it was Monnette's turn to bust, finishing in fourth place for $60,000. Bronshtein also busted Monnette.
With the fourth-place result, Monnette had picked up 60 leaderboard points. Being guaranteed 150 for reaching heads-up play in Event #2: $10,300 8-Game, Monnette moved to at least 210 points this series.
After Monnette went out, it was Dan Zack's turn to head to the payout window. Zack was all in against Bronshtein and needed to make a straight or a full house on seventh street with an inferior two pair. Zack bricked and finished with an $84,000 score.
Bronshtein began heads-up play with a decent lead, but Elezra quickly found a double up. That's when the two players discussed a deal and altered the payouts. After the deal was made, Elezra pulled in front, extended his lead, and then sealed the deal to win Event #3: $10,300 Triple Stud Mix. His winner's share was worth $155,000, and Bronshtein took home $145,000. For both players it was their first cash of the series.
Elezra has been on of the biggest proponents for mixed games, and spoke about how he views the first-ever PGT Mixed Games as a big success that is only going to grow.
"Not only are we going to break every number, I believe that the next year and the year after that are going to be even better," Elezra said. "I'm the biggest ambassador for mixed-game events, and when you came to me three or four months ago and asked, 'What do you think about this?' I couldn't agree with you more, and we've proved it to everybody. We're breaking every number, and not only that, some people have said, 'Let's do it in September.' They want to do it twice a year. I think it's going to be a big success."
Entering the fourth event of the series, Elezra is currently third on the PGT Mixed Games leaderboard and chasing the $25,000 championship bonus. He said that's something he would love to win and has put himself in a good position to make a run at it.
"I would kill for it," Elezra said about the idea of finishing atop the series leaderboard. "It's almost like the Hall of Fame. I love it. It's like a bracelet. It's beautiful."
Rank | Player | Country | Winnings | Points |
1st | John Monnette | United States | $209,600 | 210** |
2nd | Shaun Deeb | United States | $208,800 | 209 |
3rd | Eli Elezra | United States | $155,000 | 180 |
4th | Albert Daher | Lebanon | $149,600 | 150** |
5th | David "ODB" Baker | United States | $48,000 | 148 |
6th | Yuval Bronshtein | United States | $36,000 | 120 |
7th | Brian Rast | United States | $30,000 | 106 |
8th | Nick Guagenti | United States | $24,000 | 104 |
9th | Craig Chait | United States | $88,000 | 88 |
10th | Johannes Becker | Germany | $87,000 | 87 |
**Point totals for John Monnette and Albert Daher include the 150 points each are guaranteed for reaching heads-up play in Event #2.
To follow the entire PGT Mixed Games series, stay tuned to the PGT.com live reporting section.
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