WSOP 2014: Russian Alex Bilokur Wins $10k Pot-Limit Hold'em (Event #28)

Russian player Alex Bilokur has triumphed at WSOP $10,000 Pot Limit Hold’em (Event #28), after overcoming a field of 160 players over three days on his way to picking up a career first WSOP bracelet, as well as the $398,567 first place prize. Alex Bilokur now takes his live tournament earnings to $3,394,391, not bad going for a man who considers himself an enthusiastic amateur. As the Russian player explained after his latest victory:
“This is the format I like most..High buy-in with the same line up, very strong competition. I’ve shown good results in these kinds of events. I’ve never considered myself a professional poker player. I just really love this game and I like tough competition.”
The $10k buy-in Pot-Limit Hold’em event took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, and attracted a who’s who of pros to create a prize pool worth $1.504 million. Amongst those players seeing a return on their investment was Daniel Stern in 17th ($21,341), John Juanda in 15th  ($25,327), Humberto Brenes in 14th ($25,327), Scott Seiver in 12th ($30,516), and Erik Seidel in 11th ($30,516).
The final table of nine was similarly packed with talent, and after  Barny Boatman bowed out in 9th ($37,389), Todd Brunson in 6th ($75,681), and Chino Rheem in 4th ($131,705), USA’s Matt O’Donnell would eventually take a huge 8 to 1 chip advantage over Alex Bilokur into the heads-up phase of the competition.
More than 100 hands later, however, and Bilokur was able to get his nose in front before the defining hand was played with O’Donnell (Ac-Qs) all-in on a 9d-8d-2c flop, and up against the Qd-Jd of his opponent. The turn and river subsequently produced a 9c and 7d to relegate Matt O’Donnell to a runner-up finish worth  $246,310, while Alex Bilokur was crowned the champion.
Final Table Results:
1 Alex Bilokur        $398,567
2 Matt O’Donnell   $246,310
3 Alex Venovski    $178,434
4 Chino Rheem        $131,705
5 Ismael Bojang    $98,978
6 Todd Brunson        $75,681
7 Pratyush Buddiga $58,851
8 Richard Lyndaker $46,533
9 Barny Boatman    $37,389