Saturday, June 8, 2024 12:06 AM Local Time (about 7 days and 17 hours ago)
Brent Hart Rises From Pack to Win Event #16: $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em
Seven players got together on Day 4 of Event #16: $5,000 No-Limit Hold'em for a chance at a WSOP bracelet.
But when the last card appeared on the river, it was Brent Hart who emerged victorious after defeating Eddie Ochana in heads-up play.
Hart takes home a first-place prize of $660,284 and a nice shiny WSOP gold bracelet, the first of his poker career. Hart's win becomes his largest tournament payout, according to Hendon Mob. Ochana takes home $440,202 for his second-place finish.
For the victor, who has been playing poker for more than 15 years, the win proved a special moment for him.
"It's truly surreal," Hart said with a smile. "I'm like floating right now."
Hart's journey to his first WSOP bracelet had roadblocks at the final table, as he had to wade through a competitive field consisting of Ochana, Kartik Ved, Daniyal Gheba, Shant Marashlian, Alexander Queen and Taylor Black. Marashlian, in particular, used his Day 2 run as the chip leader to make the final table before finishing in fifth place, which paid $159,517.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brent Hart | United States | $660,284 |
| 2 | Eddie Ochana | United States | $440,202 |
| 3 | Alexander Queen | United States | $309,128 |
| 4 | Kartik Ved | India | $220,373 |
| 5 | Shant Marashlian | United States | $159,517 |
| 6 | Daniyal Gheba | United States | $117,271 |
| 7 | Taylor Black | United States | $87,582 |
The WSOP's newest bracelet winner also had to overcome being one of the short stacks at the table before taking the chip lead from Ochana in Level 34.
Hart picked spots and incorporated timed aggression throughout the tournament en route to the win. Hart further pointed out playing with so many great players over the past four days provided him an opportunity to take away lessons.
"Sick field," Hart said. "Every table, I was like, 'Wait a minute.' And it was great because I was able to learn something every day. I was able to sit with seasoned players and pick up small nuances here and there, so it was a win-win.
"I was playing with house money because at the bare minimum, I was going to get some game from these seasoned vets, these multi-bracelet winners, and it just worked out. Today was my time. Man, it's been a long time coming."
Hart applied the experience gained from years as a poker player to help him get through the four-day grind of Event 16, and he didn't have to worry about enduring it alone.
Whenever he needed energy at the final table, Hart turned around to absorb cheers from members of his rail, which included Tyronn Lue, a three-time NBA champion – two as a player, one as a head coach – and current head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hart gave credit to his supporters for helping him get through the day.
"These are my dogs," Hart said, pointing to his friends. "I've been playing poker with these guys since I started playing poker, so it feels good to do it in front of them. It feels good to do this with them here because they're all great poker players. I might be the worst one out of the group."
With a WSOP bracelet secured, Hart's time in Las Vegas isn't finished.
He said his wife and daughter are on the way to help him celebrate, but he especially wants to call his parents and extended family to let them know he is a WSOP bracelet winner.
"I'm looking forward to telling my mom, my sister, my aunts, my uncles," Hart said. "I got a big family. We actually have a family reunion this weekend on Sunday. Maybe I'll be there to show off my bracelet."
Final Table Recap
Hart started the final day third in chips, with Edward Ochana in the lead. Guaranteed $87,582, the sights of the remaining seven players were set on the pay jumps and of course the first-prize of $660,284.
Taylor Black fell early at the hands of Shant Marashlian, before Daniyal Gheba and Marashlian secured doubles. Ochana still led, but Hart was finding his feet in the contest.
Alexander Queen picked up pocket aces to eliminate Gheba, before Ochana padded his lead further to eliminate the short stack Marashlian.
By this stage, Ochana had four times the chips of second-place Kartik Ved, with Queen behind him and Hart bringing up the rear. Hart then stayed alive in spectacular fashion.
Getting king-jack in against the pocket eights of Ved, Hart went runner-runner to make a straight and stay alive. Ved headed in the other direction, eliminated by Ochana. And he was soon joined by Queen who Ochana also sent to the rail, entering heads-up with more than a 4:1 chip lead.
Hart would double twice, taking the chip lead with the second, and never looked back. In the final hand, Ochana flopped a pair of threes with king-three, with Hart spiking a jack holding king-jack to win the hand, the tournament and with it the bracelet.
This concludes the live coverage from Event #16, be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews for all of the action from rest of the 2024 World Series of Poker.
Friday, June 7, 2024 11:16 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 18 hours ago)
Eddie Ochana Eliminated in 2nd Place ($440,202)
Eddie Ochana shoved all-in preflop for 6,050,000 from the dealer button with and was eventually called by Brent Hart in the big blind with
The flop improved Ochana's hand to a pair, but the turn and river had other plans as Hart improved to a higher pair, eliminating Ochana in 2nd place.
| Brent Hart | 41,050,000 | 13,700,000  |
| Eddie Ochana | 0 | -13,800,000  |
Friday, June 7, 2024 11:10 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 18 hours ago)
PLO-Specialist Dylan Weisman Wins Bracelet #2
Friday, June 7, 2024 10:56 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 18 hours ago)
Play Returns
The final two players have returned from break and coverage will resume.
Friday, June 7, 2024 10:15 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 19 hours ago)
Break Time
The remaining two players were sent on an extended break.
Friday, June 7, 2024 10:11 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 19 hours ago)
Hart Pulling Ahead
Brent Hart opened his button to 1,000,000 and Eddie Ochana called from the big blind.
The flop fell and Hart continued for 1,000,000 which Ochana called.
The turn saw Hart check-call a wager of 2,200,000 from Ochana.
Both players checked the river before Hart remarked that he was trying to trap his opponent. He rolled over for top two pair and Ochana shook his head and mucked.
| Brent Hart | 27,350,000 | 5,550,000 |
| Eddie Ochana | 13,800,000 | -5,550,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:46 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 19 hours ago)
Hart Overtakes Ochana for Chip Lead
The hand started off innocently enough with Brent Hart raising to 1,000,000 and Eddie Ochana calling.
The action began when the dealer fanned a flop of .
Hart bet 2,000,000, which resulted in Ochana going all in. Hart, who was at risk, didn't take any time and immediately called.
Brent Hart: [allin]
Eddie Ochana:
Both players flopped a flush draw, but Hart's king gave him the lead in the hand.
The appeared on the turn, and on the river gave Hart the win and the chip lead.
| Brent Hart | 21,800,000 | 10,600,000 |
| Eddie Ochana | 19,350,000 | -10,600,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:34 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Level 34 started
Level: 34
Blinds: 250,000/500,000
Ante: 500,000
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:29 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Updated Chip Counts
| Eddie Ochana | 29,950,000 | -3,700,000 |
| Brent Hart | 11,200,000 | 3,700,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:14 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Double Up for Hart
Eddie Ochana just called from the button before Brent Hart shoved all-in for 3,550,000. Ochana snap called, and the cards were revealed.
Brent Hart: [allin]
Eddie Ochana:
The board rolled out , giving Hart a pair of aces and the double up over Ochana's queen-high.
| Eddie Ochana | 33,650,000 | -3,550,000 |
| Brent Hart | 7,500,000 | -450,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:14 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Eddie Ochana - Brent Hart Heads Up
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:11 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Alexander Queen Eliminated in 3rd Place ($309,128)
Alexander Queen found a spot to move all on the button for his remaining 2,100,000 after he peeked down at his cards in three-handed action.
Eddie Ochana, though, immediately called out of the big blind after Brent Hart folded in the small blind.
Alexander Queen: [allin]
Eddie Ochana:
The dealer fanned on the flop, keeping Ochana' ace in the lead. The didn't offer a lifeline for Queen, and the on the river gave the win to Ochana.
Queen earned $309,128 for his deep run in the tournament.
| Eddie Ochana | 37,200,000 | 4,100,000 |
| Alexander Queen | 0 | -4,700,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 9:03 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Kartik Ved Eliminated in 4th Place ($220,373)
Eddie Ochana opened from the cutoff to 800,000 and action folded to Kartik Ved in the big blind who opted to raise all-in for 2,425,000. Ochana called and the cards were revealed.
Kartik Ved: [allin]
Eddie Ochana:
The board rolled out to improve Ochana to a pair, beating Ved's ace-high and eliminating him in 4th place.
| Eddie Ochana | 33,100,000 | 7,225,000 |
| Kartik Ved | 0 | -3,225,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:51 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 20 hours ago)
Hart Survives All-In Moment
Kartik Ved raised 800,000 with under the gun, which forced out Eddie Ochana on the button and Alexander Queen in the small blind.
Brent Hart peeked down at his cards, and decided to make a stand by going all in with his remaining 3,675,000.
Ved made the call to put Hart at risk.
Brent Hart: [allin]
Kartik Ved:
The dealer fanned on the flop to keep Ved in the lead. The on the turn opened a gut-shot straight possibility for Hart, who needed any queen, king or jack on the river to secure the win.
Hart got there when the dealer placed on the river, completing a straight for Hart, who jumped from his chair and rushed to the rail to enthusiastically celebrate with his friends.
| Brent Hart | 7,950,000 | 3,575,000 |
| Kartik Ved | 3,225,000 | -2,975,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:37 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Updated Chip Counts
| Eddie Ochana | 25,875,000 | 4,050,000 |
| Kartik Ved | 6,200,000 | -2,100,000 |
| Alexander Queen | 4,700,000 | -2,750,000 |
| Brent Hart | 4,375,000 | 500,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:30 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Level 33 started
Level: 33
Blinds: 200,000/400,000
Ante: 400,000
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:17 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Queen Doubles Through Ved
Kartik Ved raised 600,000 on the button with , and then had a decision to make after Alexander Queen peeked down at and announced an all-in bet for his remaining 3,500,000.
Ved took a few moments before calling to put Queen at risk.
Alexander Queen: [allin]
Kartik Ved,
The dealer ran out on the board, giving Queen the win and a full double-up.
| Kartik Ved | 8,300,000 | -3,500,000 |
| Alexander Queen | 7,450,000 | 2,300,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 8:07 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Battle of the Blinds
Kartik Ved just called in the small blind with and Eddie Ochana checked his big blind option with
Both players checked the flop of
The turn gave Ved a flush and saw him lead for 450,000. Ochana called with a pair of nines.
The river changed nothing, and Ved wagered 1,500,000. Ochana considered his options and eventually decided on a call, losing the pot.
| Eddie Ochana | 21,825,000 | -1,500,000 |
| Kartik Ved | 11,800,000 | 3,000,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 7:55 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Updated Chip Counts
| Eddie Ochana | 23,325,000 | -50,000 |
| Kartik Ved | 8,800,000 | 5,500,000 |
| Alexander Queen | 5,150,000 | -1,425,000 |
| Brent Hart | 3,875,000 | -6,225,000 |
Friday, June 7, 2024 7:48 PM Local Time (about 7 days and 21 hours ago)
Shant Marashlian Eliminated in 5th Place ($159,517)
Alexander Queen opened in early position with to 600,000, and then Eddie Ochana three-bet to 2,200,000 out of the small blind.
Shant Marashlian, who entered Level 32 with just two big blinds, was essentially pot committed in the big blind and elected to put the rest of his chips in the pot to put himself at risk. Queen promptly folded.
Shant Marashlian: [allin]
Eddie Ochana:
The dealer fanned on the flop, putting Ochana's pair of sevens in the lead. The on the turn gave Marashlian a flush draw, but the on the river sent Marashlian to the rail.
Marashlian earned $159,517 for his fifth-place finish.
| Eddie Ochana | 23,375,000 | 2,825,000 |
| Shant Marashlian | 0 | -750,000 |
