It took quite a while for the field of 6,865 players to be eliminated down to one, but when all was said and done, it ended up being one of the most exciting events in history. The November Nine kicked off on Sunday, and before the action started back on Tuesday, we were left with only three players who were playing to win the biggest tournament out there. The three players who were left featured the 2011 Player of the Year Ben Lamb, Pius Heinz from Germany, and Martin Staszko from the Czech Republic. When the action started, Heinz was the massive chip leader with 107.8 million chips, and had more than both of his opponents combined; as Lamb had 55.4 million, and Staszko had 42.7 million.
The action was exciting from the word go, as Staszko was all in against Lamb on the very first hand; which resulted in Staszko’s pocket sevens holding up against the K-J of Lamb. This left Lamb nearly crippled with only 10 big blinds left, and he would push the rest in only three hands later. He shoved Q-6 all in, and was snap called by the pocket Jack’s of Staszko. That was that for our three handed play, and the heads up match would be between Staszko and Heinz.
Staszko was the chip leader entering play, but they two went back and forth more than one could possibly imagine. The play went on for hours, and then came hand number 115 which started with Staszko as a 124.75 million to 81.15 million chip lead. The two went back and forth with a few raises, before Heinz finally pushed all in with a flop of Tc-7c-Ks showing. Staszko debated it for a minute or two, and finally made the call, turning over Qc-9c for a flush draw and straight draw as well. Heinz turned over Ah-Qh, and to his surprise was actually the favorite to win the hand, as a Jack would give him a better straight than Staszko. Heinz was able to dodge Staszko’s outs, and went on to take a huge 162.3 million to 43.6 million chip lead.
It was all over just eight hands later, as Staszko pushed his last 39.8 million in the middle, and was called by Heinz, who flipped over A-K off suit. Staszko had only 10c-7c, and was behind his opponent. The board helped neither, which gave Heinz the win with Ace high.
Heinz took home the gold bracelet, and the incredible $8.7 million grand prize, and will now be among the most well-known names in poker for years to come. For his efforts, Staszko got an excellent consolation prize of $5.7 million.