Martin Jacobson Wins WSOP Main Event, $10 Million

The World Series of Poker has a new champion, 27 year-old Martin Jacobson. Originally from Sweden, Jacobson became the first player since the inception of the 'November 9' to take home pokers biggest prize after also ending Day 1 of the marathon tournament as chipleader. 

Despite the initial success, it wasn't all smooth sailing for the accomplished poker pro. Entering the final table as the second smallest stack, the odds of claiming the coveted crown were against him. However, Jacobson demonstrated excellent decision making and resiliency as he picked his spots well, and slowly climbed the leaderboard with a series of perfectly timed 3-bet shoves. Others weren't as fortunate… 

Entering the final table the biggest story was that of Mark Newhouse. Having seemingly accomplished the impossible in making it back to the Main Event final table for a second consecutive year, the big question was whether he could improve upon his 9th place finish from 2013. If any further evidence was needed to support the conclusion that poker can be a brutal game, look no further. Despite entering the final table 3rd in chips, his improbable Main Event run would once again come to an end in 9th place. 

After losing some traction in the early stages of the final table, Newhouse got involved in a tricky pot with fellow American Will Tonking. Jorryt van Hoof opened to 1.1 million with Newhouse calling in position. Will Tonking 3-bet the action to 3.75m from the small blind resulting in a fold from van Hoof. Newhouse elected to call. The flop ran out 2d - 4c - Jh, and Tonking led out with a bet of 3.5 million. Newhouse called, bringing the 4h on the turn. Tonking thought for some time before checking to Newhouse, who slid forward a bet of 4.5 million. Tonking made the call and the dealer completed the board with the jack of clubs. Tonking checked the action once again to Newhouse, who quickly moved all-in for his remaining 10.2 million chips. Tonking took his time, and made the call turning over Qc-Qd - besting the Tc - Th of Newhouse and sending him to the rail in 9th. 

Later Newhouse tweeted: "… I am so happy for all the friends and family who came out to support me and show me love. All is good and ima be aiight."

Though surely disappointed, his 2 year Main Event earnings tally of $1,463,949 will serve as a great consolation. 

Newhouse was followed out the door by Brazilian favorite Bruno Politano, whose Qs - Tc couldn't improve against the pocket 7's of Felix Stephensen. It took just 6 more hands for the next elimination to take place, when Jorryt van Hoof's Ah - 3h found an Ace on the flop to KO Dan Sindelar's Jacks. 

Six handed play brought perhaps the most turmoil for our eventual champion, Martin Jacobson. Sitting in 5th with 15.5 million, he moved in with Qd - 3d from the small blind on the short stack, Billy Pappas, who had just 6.4 million remaining. Pappas made the call with the Ks - Js, and the board ran out Qs - 2s - Ad - 8d - Kh. Saved on the river, Pappas scored a key double up and once again moved Jacobson to the bottom of the tournament totem.

While still controlling the tournaments shortest stack, Jacobson outlasted Andoni Larrabe, who was eliminated in 6th when his Jc - Tc couldn't beat van Hoof's Kh - 5h. Shortly after Larrabe's elimination, Jacobson scored a vital double up with his Ad - 8h holding against the Ks - Jh of Will Tonking, putting him back on the map with 13.5 million. After a few well timed raises and catching Stephensen on a river bluff, the talented Swede was out of the tournament cellar and back in the mix.

As short handed play continued it was Jacobson that would come up big, leaving Billy Pappas (5th place) with just a chip and a chair after winning a massive 50 million chip race with pocket 5's. The tournaments last remaining American also fell at the hands of Martin Jacobson, when his 2's couldn't find a set against his opponent's 10's - solidifying an exciting 3-handed conclusion the following day

As well as the early stages of the final table had gone, when action resumed on Tuesday night Jorryt van Hoof witnessed a complete reversal of fortune. Quickly falling from the chiplead, a position he had grown accustomed to, van Hoof found himself staring at a 3rd place finish when he 4-bet shoved Ad - 5d into Jacobson's As - Tc. The board brought no help, and the Dutchman's run had come to an end. 

Heads-up play began with Jacobson holding a strong advantage with 142 million chips against the 58 million of Felix Stephensen. With the finish line in sight, Jacobson was not to be denied,  taking just 34 hands to claim the title. On the tournament's final hand Stephensen opened to 3.5 million with Ah - 9h, and Jacobson moved all-in with pocket 10's. With a 10 on the flop, there was no way back for Stephensen who finished as the Main Event runner up. 

Congratulations to the newly crowned Main Event champion, Martin Jacobson, and the rest of the 2014 'November 9':

1st - Martin Jacobson - $10,000,000

2nd - Felix Stephensen - $5,145,968

3rd - Jorryt van Hoof - $3,806,402

4th - William Tonking - $2,848,833

5th - Billy Pappas - $2,143,174

6th - Andoni Larrabe - $1,622,080

7th - Dan Sindelar - $1,235,862

8th - Bruno Politano - $947,077

9th - Mark Newhouse - $730,725