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Dominik Nitsche Wins 6th WSOP Bracelet – Chris Ferguson Wins WSOP Player of the Year

The World Series of Poker Europe is winding down with just the Main Event left to play. On Sunday, Dominik Nitsche won his fourth career bracelet by taking down the One Drop High Roller for the largest score of his live poker career.

Meanwhile, Chris Ferguson is officially the 2017 WSOP Player of the Year. His remarkable run came to an end with John Racener’s elimination in the Main Event, much to the chagrin of most of the poker community.

Dominik Nitsche Wins Four Career Bracelet in One Drop High Roller

The €111,111 One Drop High Roller kicked off on Friday and boasted an elite field of 86 players. Many of the pokers top high stakes pros took their shot in the event hoping to take down one of the richest prizes in poker.

In addition to the initial 86 buy-ins, there were an astounding 27 re-entries during the event to create a prize pool of €12.98 million. The field also raised over €1 million for one drop with €11,111 taken out of each buy-in for the charity.

Several big names cashed in this event, including Bryn Kenney, Eugene Katchalov, Nick Petrangelo and November Niner Kenny Hallaert. Day 1 chip leader Charlie Carrel was the final table bubble boy, busting in 9th place.

The final table was one of the toughest of the WSOP with Christoph Vogelsang, Steffen Sontheimer, Andreas Eiler and Dominik Nitsche all vying for the bracelet and the €3.48 million top prize.

The top four players in this event all earned over €1 million. Thomas Muhlocker finished in 4th for €1.09 million ($1.27 million US) while Nikita Bodyakovsky finished 3rd for €1.52 million ($1.77 million US).

Heads-up at this final table came down to Dominik Nitsche and Andreas Eiler. Eiler started with the chip lead of 152 million to 111 million for Nitsche. Soon after the start of heads-up play, Nitsche took the chip when he rivered a flush against two pair for Eiler.

After that hand, Nitsche took over and never relinquished the chip lead. Eiler battled hard and managed a couple of doubles at key times, but he never was able to build enough momentum to regain the chip lead.

Nitsche pulled away late and finally Eiler took a stand with Kc-9c, shoving for the last of his stack. Nitsche made the call with Qd-10h. The flop produced a ten and that would prove more than enough to give him the hand and his fourth career bracelet.

According to some reports, Nitsche re-entered the event twice but it ultimately paid off as he not only won his fourth bracelet but a career best €3.48 million ($4.06 million US).

Chris Ferguson Wins 2017 WSOP Player of the Year

Heading into the WSOP-E Main Event on Saturday, John Racener was the only player who had a chance to overtake Chris Ferguson for WSOP Player of the Year. However, Racener would have to make the final table and finished 4th or better.

Ferguson didn’t manage to cash in the Main Event, so the door was opened for Racener who managed to make it to Day 2. Unfortunately for Racener, he was eliminated early in Day 2 action and Ferguson officially became the 2017 World Series of Poker Player of the Year.

Lance Bradley of PocketFives broke down Ferguson’s remarkable run.

Heading into the WSOP Europe, there were many critics of Ferguson for how he was leading the POY race. Daniel Negreanu was perhaps one of the most vocal critics, stating that a POY winner should at least have won a bracelet. Ferguson answered that criticism by winning the €1,650 PL Omaha 8 or Better Event for his 6th career bracelet.

Not surprisingly, there are many in the poker community that are bemoaning his victory. Many feel that he should not be allowed to play at the WSOP due to his involvement at Full Tilt Poker. Since his return, Ferguson has been mum about what happened at Full Tilt and has refused interviews about the matter.

Chances are that the criticisms no longer bother Ferguson and the following meme by yours truly likely sums up his feelings on the matter.

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