Christian Rudolph wins WPT Online Series Main Event at partypoker

The WPT Online Series Main Event concluded at partypoker early Thursday, with Germany’s Christian Rudolph claiming his first WPT title.

Rudolph, who claimed his first WSOP bracelet in an online event last year, battled some big names at the final table, including Daniel Dvoress, Yuri Dzivielevki, and Rainer Kempe. The $3,200 main event began with a 1,065-player field and what was supposed to be a $526,562 prize payout for first place.

It didn’t take long for players to hit the virtual rail as two eliminations occurred in the first hour. First out was Stoyan Obreshkov in ninth place for $42,711, followed by Kempe in eighth place for $54,089.

Henao had a short stack when he got knocked out in seventh place to collect $68,181. A big hand eliminated Dzivielevki in sixth place after his two pair was dominated by Dvoress’ full house. Dzivielevki cashed $86,399.

Dvoress was responsible for the next elimination as well after he sent Luciano Holanda packing in sixth place with pocket Aces. Holanda picked up $111,783. Right behind him in fourth place was Marc Lange with $163,003.

Three-handed play between Rudolph, Dvoress and Fabiano Kovalski lasted several hours before Dvoress drew the short straw when his Ace-10 wasn’t good enough up against Kovalski’s Ace-Queen. For third place Dvoress cashed $249,324.

When head’s up play began Rudolph held more than a 2-to-1 chip lead over Kovalski. Before the first card was dealt a deal was struck that would see Rudolph go home with $487,443 and Kovalski collect $401,793.

They played it out for the tournament title and Kovalski actually grabbed the chip lead after his Ace-nine bested Rudolph’s 10-8 suited. The chip lead was short lived after Kovalski got most of his chips in the middle with King-six only to come up short when Rudolph hit low pair with 6-5.

In the final hand Kovalski went all-in with 9-8 suited after flopping a flush draw and a gut-shot straight draw. Rudolph made the call with Ace-Queen after flopping top pair. The rest of the board was rags for Kovalski who failed to connect on any of his draws which handed Rudolph the tournament title.