Martin Kozlov Wins 1st Bracelet For Autralia at 2016 WSOP

Being the host nation, USA players naturally dominate the action at this year’s WSOP and have already captured 31 titles in Las Vegas this summer. In the meantime, a handful of other countries from around the world have also been putting together some impressive results, with the UK in second place with 3 bracelets, followed by Russia (2), Spain (2), Belgium (1), Sweden (1), and now Australia.
A total of 294 players entered Event #39: $10k 6-Handed NLHE to create a prize pool worth $2,763,600, and three days of action later it would be Melbourne pro Martin Kozlov who would eventually walk away with a top prize of $665,709, as well as a career first gold bracelet.
Kozlov had already cashed four times at the 2016 WSOP for $141,214, including a finishing the $3,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed event in 5th for $110,389. Following a victory which now boosts his live earnings to $1,569,626, the Aussie pro with a further $2,815,455 in online winnings commented:
“I fire some tournaments when I’m feeling it, and this summer I’ve been feeling it so I’ve been firing all the six-handed tournaments. I’m just running hot. Just running hot.”
Amongst the notable pros finishing in one of the event’s 45 money spots was Simon Deadman in 39th ($16,078), Max Silver in 24th ($24,722), Scott Seiver in 19th ($24,722), Steve Gross in 11th ($38,268), and Vanessa Selbst in 9th ($49,677).
The final table was then packed with some of the game’s top talent, including Chris Ferguson, who frequently found himself booed by the gathered audience and was shouted obscenities at after he exited the event in 4th for a $183,989 payday.
With three players then remaining, the final hand came in dramatic fashion with Justin Bonomo (9-9) re-raising all-in preflop, only to be called by Davidi Kitai (6-6), and Kozlov (Q-Q). The Q-Q-7 flop was enough to seal the deal, and so Kozlov took the title, later commenting:
“It’s tough, it’s prestigious, it’s all the best players having their crack. I guess I just got lucky.”
Final Table Results:
1: Martin Kozlov $665,709
2: Davidi Kitai $411,441
3: Justin Bonomo $271,856
4: Chris Ferguson $183,989
5: Nick Petrangelo $127,622
6: Jack Salter $90,783