Besim Hot Bests Phil Hellmuth To Win €25,500 Mixed Games Championship At 2019 WSOPE
A few years ago, Besim Hot travelled to Las Vegas to compete in the World Series of Poker, aiming to win a gold bracelet for his home country of Switzerland. But things didn’t go as planned. His trip was cut short after he lost all his bankroll during the first night of the huge tournament. Hot went home empty-handed, and his goal of claiming one of poker’s most important accolades remained a dream. He realized that dream this week when he went on to win the €25,500 Mixed Games Championship at this year’s World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE).
Hot topped a field of 45 entries and defeated 15-time WSOP bracelet winner Phil Hellmuth heads-up to capture a career-defining score of €385,911. On his way to victory, Hot had to face some of poker’s most prominent names, including Daniel Negreanu, Julien Martini and Benny Glaser, all of whom are WSOP bracelet winners. The Swiss poker pro’s display of aggression all throughout the game worked to turn things in his favor, making his last event at the 2019 WSOPE truly one to remember.
A native of Macedonia, Hot currently lives in Zurich. He is among the most popular players in his country and now holds the number 1 spot on Switzerland’s All Time Money List, ahead of Linus “LLinusLlove” Loeliger.
Reflecting on his victory, Hot said he just played his game from the start and focused on building pots. He was brave enough to bluff, and the strategy worked for him as it forced his competitors to fold. Hot said he chose not to be intimidated by the people he was playing against.
When asked about his future plans considering that this was his last event at the 2019 WSOPE, Hot said he doesn’t have any specific plan yet on his next tournament, but he said he usually makes a decision on short notice, trusting his instincts. Hot will travel to Dubai for a vacation with his family and take some time off to enjoy his win.
Final Table Action
Seven players entered the final day with Hot being the chip leader. Canada’s Alex Livingston was the first player to leave the table after getting all his remaining chips in playing seven-card stud eight-or-better. He held trip aces against Hot’s straight and eventually missed on seventh street to exit in seventh place for €38,389.
Canada’s Daniel Negreanu failed to capture his seventh bracelet after playing razz against Hellmuth. He earned €54,287 for his sixth place finish. The next to go was fellow bracelet winner Martini who lost a stud eight-or-better battle against Dzmitry Urbanovich. The French poker pro walked away with €77,502 for finishing fifth.
Glazer ended his quest for a fourth gold bracelet after going all in playing no-limit hold’em with Jc8s against Urbanovich’s pocket nines. The UK pro earned €111,689 for his fourth place finish.
Three-handed play began with Hot still holding the dominant position. However, Hellmuth managed to close the gap by finishing off Urbanovich. The Polish pro got all his money in a game of razz against Hellmuth with 6-2/K-7 against the American’s 7-4/2-9. By seventh street, things went in favor of Hellmuth, sending Urbanovich to the rail in third place for €162,463.
Destined for Victory
A heads-up battle then ensued between Hot and Hellmuth, with Hot holding the chip lead. The Swiss player widened the gap even further as the game progressed, and, when the crucial hand took place, Hot bet for 750,000 from the button. Hellmuth fought and the flop showed 10c9h9c. Hellmuth’s 2,000,000 check raise prompted Hot to get all of his chips in.
Both players had flopped trips, but eventually, Hot picked a full house on the turn, with Hellmuth getting a lower full house. Ultimately, Hot was declared the winner, denying Hellmuth his 16th bracelet. Hot’s latest victory brought his total live earnings to more than $2,226,695.
Hellmuth Continues Hunt for 16th Bracelet
Hellmuth isn’t giving up just yet on his goal to capture his 16th bracelet as he still intends to compete in other events at the ongoing WSOPE festival at King’s Resort in Rozvadov. The American player also previously finished third in Event #5: €2,500 8-Game Mix.
