World Series of Photos: Close Calls and Celebrations Close Summer

Throughout the summer, PokerGO has brought fans across the globe exclusive access to World Series of Poker final table streams and Poker Central has been following all the WSOP action. Each day, “World Series of Photos” has told the daily stories from the Rio and with the conclusion of this year’s World Series of Poker coming on Saturday with Scott Blumstein’s Main Event victory, we take one last dive into the sights of the WSOP. 

Event #73 – $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event

Day 3 of the final table began with three players still in contention for poker’s biggest prize but after an up and down start to the day, Benjamin Pollack was ousted in 3^rd place. There were a few moments of brief celebrations for the Frenchman but his Main Event run eventually ended in disappointment. While some may dwell on the fact that they got so close, Pollack’s post-bust out interview and demeanor gave off a different vibe, that he would come back even more motivated next year and hungry to get another shot at Main Event glory.

That glory includes a place in poker’s history books and a spot among the other legends that have won the Main Event in the rafters of the Rio but it also includes the most prestigious bracelet in poker. This year’s Main Event bracelet, which looks more like a belt buckle than anything else, was the perfect cherry on top of the mountainous pile of money that Blumstein and Daniel Ott competed for after Pollack’s elimination.

If Benjamin Pollack got close, Daniel Ott got even closer. The Pennsylvania native was in arms reach of the Main Event bracelet, literally, and started heads up play with a 2:1 chip disadvantage. Ott never seemed to find his footing in the one-on-one battle and quickly found himself short stacked, before getting it all-in with A8 versus Blumstein’s A2.

The flop kept Ott in the lead. The turn changed nothing. Then it happened. The river brought the deuce of hearts and sent Blumstein and his rail into complete hysteria. Blumstein dropped to his knees, pictured top, before jumping into the crowd to celebrate his Main Event victory with his friends and family.

Watch exclusive WSOP event replays on PokerGO and stay tuned for brand new episodes of “Poker After Dark” coming later this summer.