Yuri Dzivielevski picks up third WSOP bracelet

Yuri Dzivielevski says he continues to study and work on his mixed games. His result today shows that he may need less work than he thinks.

Dzivielevski beat out a field of 836 entrants in order to claim $207,678 and his third WSOP bracelet in Event #47: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. at the 2023 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

"I don't know," said Dzivielevski when asked if he felt that he had an advantage in any of the H.O.R.S.E. games in particular. "I'm working a lot on my game, so I don't know exactly what is my best game, to be honest. Like, results show that limit hold'em is my best game, but I'm not sure - maybe it is?"

The well-dressed, often-smiling Dzivielevski enjoyed a large stack for the majority of the tournament. He found himself in seventh place at the end of Day 1, and improved upon that to be the runaway chip leader at the end of Day 2. He brought the biggest stack to the final table and ended the night with all of the chips in play.

Dzivielevski was aided at that final table by a rambunctious rail, who serenaded all in attendance with various chants throughout the night.

"It helps a lot, believe me," said Dzivielevski. "It gives an extra power that I cannot explain. It's pretty special to have all this rail like, I don't know, maybe 50 people rooting for you is, of course, it's pretty special. I'm feeling very loved for all this crowd. Pretty happy."

The day began with 28 players still remaining, but that number quickly went down once cards were in the air. Early eliminations included Gershon Distenfeld (23rd), Anson Tsang (19th), and Jeff Shulman (18th). The final table bubble was burst when the two pair of Daniel Makowsky fell to Dzivielevski's set.

Final table action began with Randy Ohel eliminating Serhii Popovych in eighth when he scooped a Stud Hi-Lo Eight or Better pot.

Dzivielevski then scored his first elimination of the final table when he eliminated Denis Nesterenko in seventh with a rivered Broadway.

Thor William Morstoel was next to fall in sixth, sent home by Nghia "3 Putts" Le's nut flush in Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better.

Dzivielevski scored two more eliminations prior to heads-up play. He first eliminated Stephen Savoy in fifth before ending the very amusing Le's night in third to bring the tournament down to its final two players.

His heads-up opponent would be Ohel, who had eliminated three-time bracelet winner Frankie O'Dell in fourth place with his nut flush in limit Hold'em.

Dzivielevski and Ohel began heads-up play with almost identical stacks. Dzivielevski pulled out to an early lead and seemed primed to take down the bracelet early. Ohel was able to hang in, though, and began to turn things around. The once-loud crowd grew increasingly silent as Ohel stormed back, pulling into a virtual tie after showing down a queen-six to win in Razz.

Dzivielevski began to build a lead again, though, and it was one that he would not relinquish. After nearly two and a half hours of heads-up play, Dzievielevski turned quad aces in limit hold'em to eliminate the valiant Ohel and claim the top prize.

What's next for the now three-time champ?

"I'm going to keep working," said Dzivielevski. "Keep playing every day, keep playing as many tournaments as I can. And that's it. I hope to win more bracelets and, I don't know, good results as well."

Final table results:
Place Player Country Earnings
1 Yuri Dzivielevski Brazil $207,678
2 Randy Ohel United States $128,536
3 Nghia Le United States $91,221
4 Frankie O'Dell United States $65,782
5 Stephen Savoy United States $48,146
6 Thor William Morstoel Norway $35,772
7 Denis Nesterenko Russia $26,987
8 Serhii Popovych United States $20,677