Matt Matros Picks Up Third WSOP Bracelet With Event #16

New Yorker Matt Matros secured his third World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet by overcoming 1,603 other starters to win event #16 in Las Vegas.

The 35-year-old pro has now won bracelets in three successive years to become the 55th player to bag three or more titles in the series after defeating Mark Radoja heads-up in the $1,500 buy-in Six-Handed No-Limit Hold’em at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

Matros – who is renowned for his concentration and studious demeanour – bagged $454,835 for his biggest ever score after defeating Canada’s Radoja, who left with $281,502 as runner-up.

Yale University graduate Matros claimed his first bracelet in 2010, collecting $189,870 for winning the $1,500 buy-in Limit Hold’em event #12 and followed that up last year by earning $303,501 for taking down the $2,500 buy-in Mixed Hold’em (Limit/No-Limit) championship event #52.

Champ Breaks Through $1 Million Barrier

The author of ‘The Making of a Poker Player’ – which tells the story of his early years when he transformed himself from a student into a full-time poker pro – has now moved on to $1,350,031 in WSOP earnings.

The 35-year-old – who is also a teacher – was joined at the final table by the likes of Matt Glantz (seventh for $40,059) and Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow (eighth for $40,059), but ultimately had to defeat one-time WSOP bracelet winner Radoja, of Ontario.

With British player Ramey Shaio eliminated in third place by Radoja for $182,521 – when the former’s 3♥ 3♣ lost out to the A♦ 10♦ of the Canadian after a ten arrived on the flop – Matros was left facing Radoja for the title.

Matros Flushed With Success

They started almost even in chips, only for Radoja to take a big lead early on in their heads-up battle. But Matros battled back to take the lead when he turned two pair and was paid off following a large river bet.

Matros had the title about 20 minutes later when he shoved all-in on the 8♠ turn following a 10♦ 9♥ 2♥ flop. Radoja quite rightly called as he held a straight with his J♥ 7♠. Matros showed 6♥ 5♥ for a flush draw that was completed for the victory when the 10♥ hit the river.

Day 2 saw numerous big-name players hit the rail, including Frank Kassela (15th for $17,323), Robert Williamson III (41st for $7,578), Tristan Wade (45th for $6,496), Day 1 chip leader Nick Maimone (49th for $5,781), Chino Rheem (59th for $5,207), Sam Grafton (62nd for $4,720), Adam Junglen (66th for $4,720), Kathy Liebert (70th for $4,287), Erik Cajelais (72nd for $4,287), Andy Seth (75th for $4,287), Andy Frankenberger (79th for $3,897), Matt Juttelstad (98th for $3,529), Allan Le (99th for $3,529), Zach Clark (115th for $3,204), Raul Paez (116th for $3,204), Matt Hawrilenko (119th for $3,204), Aubin Cazals (123rd for $3,204), Tony Dunst (125th for $3,204) and Huy Nguyen (127th for $2,944),

WSOP 2012 Event #16 Top 10 Payouts

1. Matt Matros (USA) – $454,835

2. Mark Radoja (Canada) – $281,502

3. Ramey Shaio (UK) – $182,521

4. Gordon Vayo (USA) – $121,262

5. Robert Muzzatti (Canada) – $81,202

6. Mark Darner (USA) – $56,300

7. Matt Glantz (USA) – $40,059

8. Mike Matusow (USA) – $40,059

9. Jonathan Currle (Germany) – $29,665

10. Elior Cohen (Israel) – $29,665

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