Justin Bonomo Wins WSOP $1,500 NL Six Handed (Event #11) For $450k

Just a few days ago Justin Bonomo narrowly missed out on a WSOP bracelet after finishing the runner-up in the $10k Limit 2-7 Triple Draw (Event #5) for $219,565. Now, however, the 28-year-old has won his first ever career gold bracelet after topping a 1,587 player field at $1,500 NL Six Handed (Event #11) for $449,980. Following his impressive feat the US pro, who now boosts his tournament winnings to $7,963,844, commented:
“After coming in second again the other day, I started thinking that maybe I shouldn’t worry so much about winning the bracelet and just concentrate on the money. But then to have this actually happen, I see how important it is. It feels incredible.”
The $1,500 NL Six Handed event attracted a large, tough field to create a prize pool worth $2,142,450. Amongst the notable names then cashing in at the event was Jeff Madsen in 117th ($3,170), David Baker in 100th ($3,492), Jason Mercier in 86th ($3,856), Olivier Busquet in 69th ($4,242), and Erik Cajelais in 41st ($7,498).
After the final table got underway, Daniel Strelitz (A-K) eliminated Taylor Paur (Q-Q) in 6th ($55,703), before Mike Sowers (9-9) did likewise to Niel Mittelman (Q-Q) in 5th for $80,341. Sowers (A-Q) then proceeded to oust Lance Harris (J-10) from the competition in 4th ($119,977), then Daniel Strelitz in 3rd ($180,587) to go heads-up against Justin Bonomo for the title.
Commenting on the action up until now, Bonomo, said: “Before we got heads-up, I was ecstatic at the fact that we went from 10 [players] to two in two hours. We were guaranteed $40k going into the day and all of a sudden I just sit back, play like no hands, I didn’t knock anyone out and all of a sudden, instead of being guaranteed $40k, I’m guaranteed $280k. What more could I possibly ask for.”
After more than an hour of back and forth, the defining hand was eventually played with Sowers all-in preflop holding 10h-3h on an 8h-7h-4h flop. Bonomo made the call with Qh-10c and after a 9d and 8c fell on turn and river, Mike Sowers walked away the unner-up for $278,518, while Justin Bonomo was awarded the bracelet.
Final Table Payout:
1 Justin Bonomo – $449,980
2 Mike Sowers – $278,518
3 Daniel Strelitz – $180,587
4 Lance Harris – $119,977
5 Niel Mittelman – $80,341
6 Taylor Paur – $55,703