WSOP 2023: Alex Kulev Storms to the Top of Bulgaria`s All-Time Money List With Maiden Bracelet Victory in Event #84: $50K High Roller NLHE ($2,087,073)

The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is nearing its conclusion, yet the turnout remains robust, with players diving into various bracelet events after exiting the record-shattering Main Event. One of these events, Event #84: $50,000 High Roller NLHE, wrapped up on Friday night, witnessing a remarkable increase in participation this year. The event attracted 176 top-notch players, creating a colossal prize pool of $8,404,000.

Three days of grueling poker action culminated in Bulgarian pro Alex Kulev (cover image) claiming his maiden WSOP bracelet and a career-high cash prize of $2,087,073. The runner-up, Gergely Kulcsar from Hungary, put up a valiant fight but had to settle for his personal-best reward of $1,289,909.

Kulev’s victory marks his fourth cash in the current series and his 35th overall, amassing his total WSOP earnings to $4,467,791. Earlier in the series, he finished fourth in Event #40: $250K Super High Roller, earning $1,632,005. This victory catapults Kulev to the top of Bulgaria’s all-time money list, with a total of $6,630,310 in career tournament earnings, as per Hendon Mob.

“I’m just very grateful and very excited to be here,” an elated Kulev expressed, surrounded by his encouraging supporters. “It has always been a dream of mine to win a bracelet, and doing it in this event against this type of field is the best that it can be.”

“The best players in the world came out to play this tournament,” Kulev said, acknowledging the stiff competition he faced. “I max late-regged with 15 big blinds, so it was very touch and go for a bit, but when the cards want you to win, they usually let you win.”

While celebrating his victory, Kulev was humble, praising his peers and fellow players. “It feels good, but it doesn’t take away from the other players high on that list. Ognyan Dimov and Dimitar Danchev have helped me a lot in my career, and I don’t like to rank them in any way, it’s just an honor to be there.”

Santhosh Suvarna, the sole Indian reported in the event, joined the fray on Day 2. Suvarna, the winner of Event #1: $25K NLH GG Super Millions Live at the 2023 Triton Super High Roller Series Cyprus, has become a high-stakes regular and someone not afraid to go up against some of the best players in the game. With frequent appearances at the Triton, the former poker room operator recently made a successful appearance playing high-stakes cash games on Bally’s Big Bet Poker LIVE.

Suvarna secured an impressive 11th-place finish in the event, earning $132,181, his maiden WSOP score.

Five players returned on the tournament’s third and final day, and the action picked up quickly. Koray Aldemir, the 2021 WSOP Main Event champion, was eliminated in the first hand of the day in fifth place, followed by Daniel Smiljkovic, who exited in fourth place for $713,413. Jake Schindler, another WSOP bracelet winner, hit the rail in third place with a reward of $957,491.

The heads-up showdown saw Alex Kulev and Gergely Kulcsar engaged in a thrilling battle for the title. Kulev gained the upper hand with a massive chip lead that expanded after winning a massive pot in heads-up play with trip deuces. The tournament reached its electrifying climax when Kulcsar’s failed to get past Kulev’s dominating on the rundown.

This marked the triumphant victory of Kulev, crowning him the 2023 WSOP High Roller Champion with a hefty reward of $2,087,073 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Alex Kulev – $2,087,073
2. Gergely Kulcsar – $1,289,909
3. Jake Schindler – $957,491
4. Daniel Smiljkovic – $713,413
5. Koray Aldemir – $533,561
6. Johannes Straver – $400,562
7. Brandon Wittmeyer – $301,859
8. Moshe Refaelowitz – $228,347

Content & Images Courtesy: WSOP & PokerNews

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