2023 World Series of Poker

Event #54: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
Day: 3
Event Info

2023 World Series of Poker

Final Results
Winner
Winning Hand
jjq8a86
Prize
$422,747
Event Info
Buy-in
$10,000
Prize Pool
$1,720,500
Entries
185
Level Info
Level
26
Limits
120,000 / 240,000
Ante
0
Players Info - Day 3
Entries
17
Players Left
7

Mike Gorodinsky Gallops Away From the Field on Day 3 of $10,000 H.O.R.S.E.

Level 23 : Limits 60,000/120,000, 0 ante
Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky

The chips were flying, the wine was flowing, and the hats were sparkling on a wild Day 3 of Event #54: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E Championship at the 2023 World Series of Poker.

When the bottles were all empty and the night had ended, Mike Gorodinsky ended up leading the seven remaining players, who will return on June 26 at 4:00 p.m. local time. Gorodinsky won a massive three-way stud hi-lo pot with kings over nines to climb near 3,000,000 and bagged up 3,695,000 for the event’s final day. The two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner already has a banner hanging up in the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas celebrating his 2015 Player of the Year award; he now has a chance to win one of the most prestigious titles on the WSOP calendar.

Alex Livingston fell down to 650,000 after losing that pot to Gorodinsky but rebounded in the final level to finish in second place with 2,160,000. Brad Ruben, a four-time bracelet winner, all in the last three years, is in third place with 1,930,000. Ruben accumulated much of his big stack when he won a stud hand against Brian Yoon with a buried deuce for trips.

End of Day 3 Chip Counts

RankPlayerCountryChip CountBig Bets
1Mike GorodinskyUnited States3,695,00023
2Alex LivingstonCanada2,160,00014
3Brad RubenUnited States1,930,00012
4Brian YoonUnited States1,445,0009
5Scott SeiverUnited States990,0006
6Carol FuchsUnited States515,0003
7Christopher ClaassenUnited States265,0002

Yoon, the start-of-day chip leader, earned a near-double up off Livingston in razz near the end of the night to finish with 1,445,000. The five-time bracelet winner has already been in the winner’s circle in the 2023 WSOP, winning the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship, and tomorrow has a chance to become just the 21st player in WSOP history with six gold bracelets.

Scott Seiver built up a chip-leading stack at the start of the nine-handed unofficial final table but fell back to 990,000. The night, though, only got worse for Seiver right at the end. After losing the final pot of Day 3 to Carol Fuchs, Seiver crumpled up one of his cards and tossed it into the middle of the table. The tournament floor approached him and gave him a one-round penalty to start tomorrow’s play, much to his consternation and loud disagreement.

Fuchs (515,000) and Christopher Claassen (265,000) are the short stacks when the final table resumes on the main feature table inside the Horseshoe Event Center. The final table will be streamed on a one-hour delay by PokerGO.

Final Table Payouts

PlacePlayerPrize
1 $422,747
2 $261,278
3 $187,406
4 $136,649
5 $101,319
6 $76,412
7 $58,633
8Esther Taylor$45,789

Just 17 players remained out of a starting field of 185 when Day 3 began at 2 p.m. today. John Racener (17th), Nick Guagenti (16th), and Connor Drinan (12th) were among those who fell short of the final table. Phil Hellmuth built his stack up above 1,000,000 with his eyes on bracelet No. 17 but lost a number of pots amidst a stream of profanity before busting in 11th place to Livingston in razz.

Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth

Once the nine-handed final table was reached with the elimination of David “Bakes” Baker in 10th, the atmosphere among the remaining players became lively and jovial. Craig Chait brought some bottles of wine for the table; Esther Taylor, who left the stage along with her shiny sequin fedora in eighth place, returned with glasses as the table shared a toast.

The tension, though, will only rise tomorrow with the bracelet within tantalizing reach of each of the seven remaining players. The action picks up on Level 24, with 80,000-160,000 limits. Each player is already guaranteed $58,633 but will have their sights firmly on the $422,747 first prize and coveted gold jewelry.

Come back tomorrow as PokerNews covers the race to the title and provides updates until there is one new mixed-game master at the WSOP.

Tags: Alex LivingstonBrad RubenBrian YoonCarol FuchsChristopher ClaassenEsther TaylorMike GorodinskyPhil HellmuthScott Seiver

Seiver Doubles Off Yoon

Level 23 : Limits 60,000/120,000, 0 ante
Scott Seiver
Scott Seiver

Razz

Scott Seiver: XxXx/4x9x4x
Brian Yoon: XxXx/2x3x9x

Scott Seiver completed, then called when Brian Yoon raised.

Yoon bet again on fourth street and Seiver called. On fifth, Seiver called all in when Yoon bet.

Yoon finished with Qx6x3x2x for a queen-low, while Seiver made 7x5xAxAx for a 9-7-5-4-A to double up.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Brian Yoon us
Brian Yoon
1,250,000
50,000
50,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
WSOP 5X Winner
Profile photo of Scott Seiver us
Scott Seiver
700,000
350,000
350,000
WSOP 7X Winner

Tags: Brian YoonScott Seiver

Gorodinsky Picks off Claassen's Bluff

Level 23 : Limits 60,000/120,000, 0 ante
Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky

Limit Hold 'em

Christopher Claassen raised in early position and got three-bet by Mike Gorodinsky in the cutoff. Claassen called to see three.

The flop came 476 and after a check by Claassen, Gorodinsky bet. Claassen called and the turn brought the 8.

The players each checked and the 6 came on the river.

Claassen now led out, but after some thought from Gorodinsky, he called.

Claassen showed KJ for king-high, while Gorodinsky showed AK for a winning ace-high.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
3,625,000
425,000
425,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
WSOP 3X Winner
Profile photo of Christopher Claassen us
Christopher Claassen
630,000
-120,000
-120,000

Tags: Christopher ClaassenMike Gorodinsky

Gorodinsky Fills Up in Massive Pot

Level 23 : Limits 60,000/120,000, 0 ante
Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky

Stud Hi-Lo

Mike Gorodinsky: XxXx/9K4Q/Xx
Brian Yoon: XxXx/6522/Xx
Alex Livingston: XxXx/3663/Xx

Mike Gorodinsky completed on third street and was called by both Brian Yoon and Alex Livingston.

Yoon bet on fourth before Livingston raised. Both opponents called to fifth.

Yoon bet again and Livingston just called this time, as did Gorodinsky. Livingston made two pair on sixth and bet, with both opponents calling.

On seventh, Livingston checked and Gorodinsky bet. Yoon spent several minutes in the tank before he called, and Livingston also called to create a massive pile of chips in the middle.

"Kings full," Gorodinsky announced, turning over KK9 as both Yoon and Livingston mucked.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
2,900,000
950,000
950,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
WSOP 3X Winner
Profile photo of Brian Yoon us
Brian Yoon
1,100,000
-660,000
-660,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
WSOP 5X Winner
Profile photo of Alex Livingston ca
Alex Livingston
650,000
-800,000
-800,000
WSOP 2X Winner

Tags: Alex LivingstonBrian YoonMike Gorodinsky

Esther Taylor Eliminated in 8th Place ($45,789)

Level 22 : Limits 50,000/100,000, 0 ante
Esther Taylor
Esther Taylor

Limit Hold'em

Scott Seiver raised, then called when Esther Taylor three-bet on the button.

The flop came 108Q and Seiver checked over to Taylor who put out a bet. Seiver then raised and Taylor called for her last chips.

Esther Taylor: AQ
Scott Seiver: J10

Taylor was ahead with her pair of queens heading to the 2 turn. The river, though, came the 9 and Seiver made a straight to send Taylor out as the first casualty of the official final table.

"Guys, pass me her wine," Seiver said as a still-smiling Taylor said her goodbyes. Craig Chait then acted as a sommelier for the table and poured glasses as the table shared a toast.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Scott Seiver us
Scott Seiver
1,800,000
300,000
300,000
WSOP 7X Winner
Profile photo of Esther Taylor us
Esther Taylor
Busted

Tags: Esther TaylorScott Seiver

Roman Verenko Eliminated in 9th Place ($36,406)

Level 22 : Limits 50,000/100,000, 0 ante
Roman Verenko
Roman Verenko

Limit Hold'em

After Mike Gorodinsky opened on the button, Roman Verenko three-bet from the small blind off his short stack.

Gorodinsky called and the duo saw a 4104 flop, then got Verenko's last bet into the middle.

Roman Verenko: K8
Mike Gorodinsky: K10

Verenko was in as bad a shape as he could ask for, unpaired and needing running eights to survive. Instead, the 59 runout sealed Verenko's night in ninth place.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
2,900,000
600,000
600,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
WSOP 3X Winner
Profile photo of Roman Verenko ua
Roman Verenko
Busted
WSOP 1X Winner

Tags: Mike GorodinskyRoman Verenko

Gorodinsky Takes the Chip Lead in Two Hands

Level 22 : Limits 50,000/100,000, 0 ante
Mike Gorodinsky
Mike Gorodinsky

Stud Hi-Lo

Mike Gorodinsky: XxXx/4K72/Xx
Brian Yoon: XxXx/37J3/Xx
Christopher Claassen: XxXx/AKQ9 - folded

Christopher Claassen completed on third street and was called by Brian Yoon and Mike Gorodinsky.

Claassen bet again on fourth and both opponents called as all three players checked fifth.

Yoon took the lead on sixth and Gorodinsky called, while Claassen folded. Yoon bet again on seventh.

Gorodinsky now raised and Yoon called, only to be shown Q92 by Gorodinsky for a winning flush.

Gorodinsky tangled with Scott Seiver the next hand.

Mike Gorodinsky: XxXx/81059/Xx
Scott Seiver: XxXx/A564/Xx

Seiver bet on every street down to seventh as Gorodinsky called. Gorodinsky bet out on seventh and Seiver leaned back in his chair.

"I'm going to need some time on this one," Seiver said as he took off his cap and began counting all the spades that had been folded so far. Several minutes went by before he folded, claiming he had aces and fours. Gorodinsky took the pot, and the chip lead, without showing.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Mike Gorodinsky us
Mike Gorodinsky
2,300,000
870,000
870,000
Day 3 Chip Leader
WSOP 3X Winner
Profile photo of Scott Seiver us
Scott Seiver
1,900,000
-410,000
-410,000
WSOP 7X Winner
Profile photo of Brian Yoon us
Brian Yoon
1,650,000
-450,000
-450,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
WSOP 5X Winner
Profile photo of Christopher Claassen us
Christopher Claassen
950,000
-250,000
-250,000

Tags: Brian YoonChristopher ClaassenMike GorodinskyScott Seiver

Is Ordering a Bottle of Wine in a Big Pot a Tell?

Level 22 : Limits 50,000/100,000, 0 ante
Esther Taylor
Esther Taylor

Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo

Esther Taylor: J64/AJ46
Christopher Claassen: 985/34210

As a pot developed between Esther Taylor and Christopher Claassen, discussion of ordering a bottle of wine for the table progressed, spurred by the fact that Taylor arrived back at the final table with a delicious-looking glass of red.

The hand itself saw Claassen defend his bring-in to a completion from Taylor, who then check-called bets on fourth and fifth streets.

On sixth she decided to bet herself, leaving 125,000 behind for seventh. Claassen called to see that final street.

Taylor bet a final time, leaving herself 25,000 back, and as Claassen thought about his decision, a server arrived to take the order for the bottle of wine.

The server was informed that Taylor would know the bottle to order, but that he should wait a moment because she was in a hand.

Taylor had no problem breaking her focus from the hand to order the bottle, informing the server that it was a tasty Cabernet.

Claassen ended up making the call with Taylor confidently showing her two pair of jacks and sixes, which indeed was good for the high half of the pot, while Claassen took the low half.

Meanwhile, the wine is on its way.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Christopher Claassen us
Christopher Claassen
1,200,000
-250,000
-250,000
Profile photo of Esther Taylor us
Esther Taylor
475,000
-25,000
-25,000

Tags: Christopher ClaassenEsther Taylor

David "Bakes" Baker Eliminated in 10th Place ($29,478)

Level 21 : Limits 40,000/80,000, 0 ante
David "Bakes" Baker
David "Bakes" Baker

Seven Card Stud

Brian Yoon: 64/A3J7/K
David "Bakes" Baker: 42/3AQA/5

A short-stacked David "Bakes" Baker called bets from Brian Yoon until he was all in on sixth holding a pair of aces and a wheel draw. While he made his wheel in the end, it wasn't good enough to beat Yoon's flush, eliminating him in tenth place to set up the unofficial final table.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Brian Yoon us
Brian Yoon
2,785,000
185,000
185,000
Day 2 Chip Leader
WSOP 5X Winner
Profile photo of David "Bakes" Baker us
David "Bakes" Baker
Busted
WSOP 3X Winner

Tags: Brian YoonDavid "Bakes" Baker

Phil Hellmuth Eliminated in 11th Place ($29,478)

Level 21 : Limits 40,000/80,000, 0 ante
Phil Hellmuth
Phil Hellmuth

Razz

"Wow," Phil Hellmuth said as he completed with a 7x showing.

"Wow? What does wow mean," Alex Livingston asked as he called.

On fifth, Hellmuth bet, Livingston raised, and Hellmuth called all in.

Livingston ended up with Kx9x8x5x5x2xAx for 9-8-5-2-A. Hellmuth had 10x7x7x5x4xAx showing by seventh, but drew the Jx that sealed his elimination.

"It's so unfair. I draw circles around everybody," a steamed Hellmuth said as he left the table to a round of applause from the rail.

Player Chips Progress
Profile photo of Alex Livingston ca
Alex Livingston
1,500,000
50,000
50,000
WSOP 2X Winner
Profile photo of Phil Hellmuth us
Phil Hellmuth
Busted
WSOP Main Event Champion
WSOP 17X Winner
Poker Hall of Famer
StakeKings

Tags: Alex LivingstonPhil Hellmuth