Darius Samual Wins Bracelet and $500K in Event #6: $25,000 Heads-Up NL Hold’em Championship

Darius Samual took a big risk, which paid off, wagering half of his bankroll to enter Event #6: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship. His decision turned gold and resulting in an impressive victory, winning him his first WSOP gold bracelet and a $500,000 prize at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

Samual’s journey to the title was remarkable. He defeated six opponents, including notable players like John Smith, Russian phenom Artur Martirosian, and multiple-title winner Faraz Jaka. His favorite match was against Smith. “His small ball style was a lot of fun and it lasted a long time,” Samual said.

Having only started playing big tournaments in the last six months, Samual doesn’t focus on any specific poker format. “I just play for fun and to make some money,” he shared. The decision to risk 50% of his bankroll was a calculated one. “This payout is like 95 percent of my poker money now,” Samual noted. “I think I was the only one who didn’t care about the bracelet; I only cared about the money.”

The final hand against Faraz Jaka was intense. Jaka min-raised to 240,000 with A6 from the button. Samual, holding KQ, three-bet shoved with his remaining 5,970,000 chips. After some consideration, Jaka called all-in for 3,630,000. The flop showed AKQ, giving Jaka top pair but putting Samual in the lead with kings and queens. The turn card was a 7, and the river brought a 3, sealing Jaka’s fate. He finished in second place, earning $300,000.

Faraz Jaka, with nearly $7.8 million in career earnings, added another impressive finish to his record. Over $2.3 million of his earnings come from 75 cashes in bracelet events, including his win at the 2023 WSOP $1,500 shootout in Event $85.

Payouts & Results

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