Dmitry Chop Wins the partypoker Million Sochi Main Event
Dmitry Chop bested an all-Russian final table to win the partypoker Million Main Event for $225,000.
The $1,100 buy in event attracted 1,170 entrants to generate a huge $1,134,900 prize, which smashed the tournament's $1 million guarantee and also became the biggest event ever held at the newly opened Sochi Casino and Resort.
The event began with two online opening days at partypoker on March 12 and 19. The remaining three opening days took place live at the casino March 23-25.
Many big names were in attendance for the event including partypoker Ambassadors Sam Trickett, Jan-Peter Jachtmann and Natalia Breviglieri. Only Breiviglieri was able to bag chips on any of the opening days; however, she finished just short of being among the 116 players to cash for the minimum payout of $2,000.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dmitry Chop | $225,000 |
| 2 | Lev Mnatskanyan | $150,000 |
| 3 | Pavel Kovalenko | $95,000 |
| 4 | Roman Korenev | $60,000 |
| 5 | Asker Aloev | $40,000 |
| 6 | Arkadij Oganisyan | $30,000 |
| 7 | Boris Yanpolsky | $22,500 |
| 8 | Mikhail Korotkikh | $15,000 |
According to partypoker, Chop began the final day of play in the chip lead with 10 players remaining at two tables. Chop extended his chip lead after eliminating Alexander Kuznetsov in 10th place for $9,250. He called with the nuts holding ace-king on a queen-jack-ten-flop against his opponent's all in with ace-queen.
Two tables then became one to create the unofficial nine-handed final table. Two-time EPT side event winner Rinat Shakirov (ninth place - $11,150) was unable to make the official televised final table after going all in with a short stack and unable to improve his hand after three-time EPT side event winner Asker Aloev called with ace-ten.
Two-time EPT side event winner Mikhail Korotkikh (eighth place - $15,000) was the first casualty on the official final table after he jammed all in with king-ten suited and wasn't able to get there after Roman Korenev called with king-jack.
Chop relinquished his chip lead to Aloev before he grabbed it back in a big way when he eliminated Boris Yanpolsky (seventh place - $22,500) after his ace-queen suited held against his opponent's king-queen suited with the board blanking both players.
Arkadij Oganisyan (sixth place - $30,000) was the next player to hit the rail after his king-jack suited was unable to win a flip against the pocket eights held by Korenev.
Lev Mnatskanyan, was one of the shorter stacks in play. While still six-handed, his stack took a dent when he lost with pocket aces against the ace-eight held by Pavel Kovalenko. Mnatskanyan was down, but not out, and able to make a rally with five players left. He doubled against Kovenev when his pocket eights held against ace-eight.
Not too long later, he tripled up while also eliminating Aleov in fifth place for $40,000. Aloev jammed under the gun with queen-jack suited before Mnatskanyan re-jammed with ace-king. Chop, who had both players covered, called with ace-jack. Chop relinquished a good portion of his stack and passed the reign as chip leader over to Mnatskanyan.
Shortly after, Korenev was the next player to hit the showers after he jammed all in with four-three suited from the small blind and was called by Kovalenko in the big blind with nine-eight. The board gave Kovalenko two-pair and was of no help to Korenev, who collected $60,000 for his fourth-place finish.
Three-handed play didn't last too long. Chop opened up from the button with king-nine before Kovalenko three-bet jammed with queen-seven suited from the small blind. Mnatskanyan called with pocket tens and Chop got out of the way. Kovalenko was eliminated in third place for $95,000 after the board failed to improve his hand.
Mnatskanyan entered heads-up play with a slight chip advantage against Chop; however, Chop took the advantage shortly into heads-up play. Immediately after the lead switched hands, Mnatskanyan opened up with pocket aces and was called by Chop with queen-ten suited.
Mnatskanyan fired out a continuation bet with an overpair on a king-ten-ten flop before Chop jammed all in with trips. Mnatskanyan was eliminated in second place for $150,000 and Chop was declared the first partypoker Million Sochi Main Event champion after the 3♥ on the turn and 9♦ on the river completed the board.
*Images and data courtesy of partypoker.
