Hussein Ensan wins 2019 WSOP main event
July 17, 2019 2:01 pm
The second largest main event in World Series of Poker history has been won by Hussein Ensan.
The 55-year-old poker player outlasted a field of 8,569 players to wins poker’s biggest prize and $10 million. It was Ensan’s first WSOP win and by far the largest cash of his poker career.
Heading into the main event Ensan’s lifetime live-poker earnings were just over $2.6 million and his largest single cash was $860,000 at an EPT event in 2014.
How did Ensan win 2019 Main Event?
On the final day of the main event three players remained, Ensan, Dario Sammartino and Alex Livingston. Sammartino began the day with the shortest stack, but he doubled up early to increase his chip count and Livingston ended up being the first one eliminated in third place.
Livingston was bounced by Sammartino when his A-J wasn’t good enough against Sammartino’s A-Q. For third place Livingston cashed $4 million.
When heads-up play began between Ensan and Sammartino Ensan had the chip lead with 279.8 million chips to Sammartino’s 235 million. On the second hand of heads-up play Sammartino doubled through Ensan to take the chip leader. He looked to be one his way out with A-9 vs.
Ensan’s J-9 with the board showing J-7-3-9, but a miracle Ace on the river saved him. The two would end up trading the chip lead numerous times throughout a four-hour heads-up battle.
Near the end Ensan regained the chip lead and after a strong run had a 2-to-1 chip lead on Sammartino.
On the final hand, the 101st hand of heads-up play, Ensan raised to 11 million from the button and Sammartino called. The flop showed 10s-6s-2d. Sammartino checked and Ensan bet 15 million. After a Sammartino call the turn was the 9c.
Sammartino checked again and Ensan bet 33 million. Sammartino moved all-in and Ensan called immediately. Ensan showed pocket Kings, while Sammartino had 8s-4s giving him a gut-shot straight draw and a flush draw. Sammartino needed a seven or any spade to survive but came up short when the river showed the Qc.
For the second place finish Sammartino cashed $6 million.
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