WSOP 2023: Jim Collopy Clinches Career-Third Bracelet in Event #17: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better ($262,542)

American poker pro Jim Collopy (cover image) claimed victory in Event #17: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better at the World Series of Poker (WSOP). He came out on top of the 1,143-strong field to win his career-third bracelet and a cash prize of $262,542. The event, held at the renowned Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, saw a marathon final table that lasted close to nine hours, half of which involved a relentless heads-up match between Collopy and former bracelet winner Nick Kost.

The two players matched each other stride for stride in a competition of skill, patience, and nerve, with neither willing to concede defeat. Ultimately, Kost had to settle for a runner-up payday worth $162,266.

The win helped Jim Collopy breach the $5 Million mark in live tournament earnings, now totaling an impressive $5,247,667, according to his Hendon Mob profile.

Collopy’s journey to poker stardom began with his first bracelet win in the 2013 WSOP Asia Pacific Event #2: A$1,650 PLO for A$69,662. After eight years, he won his career-second bracelet in the 2021 WSOP Event #32: H.O.R.S.E. for $173,823. His latest bracelet win marked his 96 cash in WSOP events, boosting his WSOP tally to $1,692,290.

After his victory, Collopy revealed his fondness for hi-lo split games, which he claimed to have diligently practiced. The thrill of securing a bracelet in one of his preferred variants was both rewarding and enjoyable. Reflecting on the significance of his third bracelet win in a split event, Collopy said, “It was terrific that over 1,000 people were here to play this event, so it’s just really special to close out the bracelet in a tournament like this.”

Collopy has an impressive record at the WSOP, including participating in one of the longest heads-up battles in WSOP history. His seasoned experience and calm demeanor were displayed in this tournament as he tactfully waited for the opportune moment to outmaneuver his opponent.

The final table commenced with Kost holding the chip lead for most of the game. But as the heads-up play neared, Collopy gradually asserted his dominance. Despite the pendulum swinging between the two, Collopy managed to maintain his chip lead throughout the heads-up phase. His formidable skill and strategic prowess were acknowledged by Kost himself, who hailed Collopy as an “incredibly tough” opponent.

The final dozen hands witnessed Collopy’s tactical genius as he whittled Kost’s chips down to zero. Collopy leveraged his knack for extracting extra bets from his opponent, a skill few others possess, sealing a well-deserved victory and adding another feather to his cap.

The $1500 buy-in Event #17 collected $1,525,905 in the prize pool, and the top 172 places were assured a payday with a min-cash pegged at $2,404.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Jim Collopy – $262,542
2. Nick Kost – $162,266
3. Kyle Burnside – $117,404
4. Qinghai Pan – $85,977
5. James Obst – $63,737
6. Aubrey Gilbert – $47,838

Content & Images Courtesy: WSOP & PokerNews

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