For the past few weeks, the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino have been abuzz with activity as the 2017 World Series of Poker is in full swing. Event #53 on the 2017 World Series of Poker schedule was a $3,000 Limit Hold’em 6-Handed tournament which featured 256 total participants. The event was dominated by Max Silver, a British poker pro who was able to earn his first gold bracelet after earning the first-place win during the event.

By the end of day one, Silver would hold the chip lead and never look back. He would hold on to the lead throughout the event and enter the final table with a fourth of the chips in play. Seven players remained and when only three were left, Silver would have moved up his chip lead to more than half the chips in play.

Heads up play would begin between Silver and Geowei Zhang once Zhang knocked Mickey Craft out in third place. Silver had Zhang covered by a chip lead of 3 to 1 and his lead would only continue to extend until the final hand was played.

On the final hand, Zhang and Silver would see a flop of J-8-5. Silver would bet and Zhang would two-bet with Silver calling. The turn was a four of clubs and Silver would check. Zhang would go all-in. Silver considered his options and then called with K-10 off-suit. Zhang showed 8-3 hearts and was ahead. That is, until the King of clubs hit on the river, giving Silver the higher pair and the win.

Final Results:

First Place Max Silver $172,645
Second Place Guowei Zhang $106,694
Third Place Mickey Craft $69,789
Fourth Place Aymann Qutami $46,871
Fifth Place Lena Wang $32,345
Sixth Place Georgios Kapalas $22,952