2015 World Series of Poker

Longer structures and increased play have been all the rage at this summer's WSOP. Somewhere, Allen Kessler is smiling, but plenty of players still enjoy getting the action fast and furious right away. Turbo tournaments have long been a staple of the game, and the WSOP staff aimed to please players who enjoy a faster structure with Event #6: $1,000 Hyper Hold'em, featuring 20-minute blind levels.

The final table was determined in just 12 hours on Day 1, and Day 2 commenced at 1 p.m. on Monday. True to form, things took just 48 hands to wrap up, hyper hold'em indeed. When the dust had settled, Minnesota pro John Reading emerged as the speed demon, claiming $252,068 and his first gold WSOP bracelet.

Reading has been on quite a tear of late, notching three Mid-States Poker Tour final tables in late 2014 and early 2015, with the best score being a third-place finish at Canterbury Park for $37,509. He continued to experience success as he traveled to the WSOP Circuit in Council Bluffs, where he cashed three times and earned his first ring and $10,531 in an Omaha Hi-Lo event.

Reading credited his experience playing turbos online with preparing him to deal with the Hyper Hold'em format. He topped a final table featuring Harrison Beach (fourth), Matt Woodward (fifth), and Ryan Julius (eighth).

Final Table Results