The lung-bursting run is nearly over. The finishing line is in sight, and four lions remain in the hunt for the $100,000 in prize money, a snazzy purple jacket, and the title of 2019 Poker Master.
Amongst the pride is Kahle Burns. The Australian won the penultimate event: $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em, and $416,500 in prize money, after defeating a 49-entrant field.
I don’t know what prayers Burns emits to the Poker Gods, but they’re working. After winning two bracelets at the World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) in Rozvadov, Burns has cashed in three Poker Master events and occupies the second spot in the championship leaderboard.
Burns’ 2019 Poker Masters Record
2nd – $10,000 Big Bet Mix
4th – $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha
1st – $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em
The win is Burns’ fourth of the year, and his $3.7m haul is more than double his previous best ($1.8m, 2017).
The favourite to win the 2019 Poker Masters remains Sam Soverel. The British Poker Open (BPO) winner, finished fourth in Event #9, to extend his reach at the top to 180 points. Should Soverel finish third or higher in the final game: $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em Main Event, then he will secure his second major series win of the year.
Two more players are in contention for the title.
Chance Kornuth didn’t cash in Event #9, but his previous three runner-up finishes have earned him 630 points, level with Burns, but behind on money-earned.
Sean Winter did cash in Event #9, finishing in the third spot, and although he’s an outside shot with 480-points, he could still win the series should he win the event, and the other three fail to make an impression.
Championship Standings
- Sam Soverel – 810
- Kahle Burns – 630
- Chance Kornuth – 630
- Sean Winter – 480
Event #9 Round-Up
Coming into the final table of six, the defending champion, Ali Imsirovic, had the chip lead, but it was David Peters who started the better. The action folded to Peters on the button, and he moved all-in, holding Q2dd. Imsirovic called for his tournament life from the small blind holding AJdd and won to leave Peters with chip dust. Peters would exit in the sixth place not long after.
The challenge of Elio Fox withered away in fifth place. Kahle Burns moved all-in holding A7o, and Fox made an easy call with a pair of queens. A second ace appeared on the turn, and there was no salvation on the river for Fox.
Soverel could have locked up the title had he won this event, but instead, PokerGO fans will see the series go to the wire after the Poker Central Player of the Year busted in the fourth-place. Soverel made his final stand with KQcc but lost a race against the pocket nines of the eventual winner. One hand after Soverel hit the dirt, so did Winter. Burns continued his role as vanquisher, with A9 beating KQ to bring the tournament to an exciting conclusion.
Imsirovic needed to beat Burns, heads-up, to retain hope of defending his title, but it didn’t happen. The final hand saw Imsirovic all-in holding QJs, and Burns holding the dominating AJ. Imsirovic did flop a queen to take the lead, but Burns rivered a flush to end Imsirovic’s hopes of placing a second purple jacket in the closet.
Event #9 ITM Results
- Kahle Burns – $416,500
- Ali Imsirovic – $269,500
- Sean Winter – $183,750
- Sam Soverel – $122,500
- Elio Fox – $98,000
- David Peters – $73,500
- Alex Foxen – $61,250