Jens Lakemeier Wins First WSOP Bracelet in $2,500 Big Bet Mix
In a span of fewer than 20 hands, Jens Lakemeier single-handedly brought Event #59: $2,500 Big Bet Mix from five players down to one to take down his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet.
Lakemeier started the final day as the chip leader but very quickly fell from that pole position. As soon as he regained the lead, though, he put the pedal to the metal and, with his aggressive play, removed each of his final four opponents.
| Position | Name | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jens Lakemeier | Germany | $112,232 |
| 2 | Jason Stockfish | United States | $69,359 |
| 3 | Andrew Kelsall | United States | $47,239 |
| 4 | Jerry Wong | United States | $32,804 |
| 5 | Ashton Griffin | United States | $23,235 |
| 6 | Kenneth Fitzgerald | United States | $16,793 |
Of course, play was slow and steady at first, with no one wanting to be the first to leave. That unfortunate honor went to Kenneth Fitzgerald, who lost a coin flip to Ashton Griffin. Fitzgerald exited in sixth place, taking home ($16,793) for his finish.
Play really slowed down after Fitzgerald’s exit, with the players trading pots back and forth for almost four hours. At one point, Lakemeier fell down to the shortest stack. He was able to double without a showdown by taking down several pots in a row, then finally doubled through Jerry Wong in a hand of Big O to take back the chip lead. He used that chip lead aggressively, raising relentlessly and putting immense pressure on his opponents.
It wasn’t until a stunning 5 Card Draw hand that fireworks finally exploded.
It wasn’t until a stunning 5 Card Draw hand that fireworks finally exploded. Ashton Griffin opened with a raise to 55,000 from the cutoff, and Wong shoved from the cutoff. Lakemeier called from the big blind, and Griffin called all in, as well. Lakemeier was only drawing to four outs with one card to come. Griffin had a better two pair than him, but Lakemeier binked his queen to make a full house and eliminate Wong and Griffin in the same hand.
Andrew Kelsall fell immediately after when Lakemeier turned a straight in Pot-Limit Omaha to leave Kelsall drawing dead.
Heads-up play, too, was a quick ordeal, as Jason Stockfish lasted less than 10 hands. Lakemeier had an overwhelming chip lead, and the two got it all in during a Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo hand. Lakemeier held top pair, while Stockfish had middle pair and a straight draw. The turn and the river bricked out, and that earned Lakemeier the victory.
Lakemeier has had some success in live tournaments in Europe, but this is his first World Series of Poker bracelet and by far his biggest WSOP cash, as well as his first cash this summer. For his win, he locked up his first gold bracelet and the $112,232 first prize.
