WSOPE 2021: Switzerland’s Emil Bise Tops 1,397-Strong Field to Win Mini Main Event For €250,175

One of the early highlights at the 2021 World Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE) at King’s Resort and Casino in Rozvadov, Event #3: €1,350 Mini Main Event, played down to a champion over the weekend. The two-time WSOP Circuit ring winner, Switzerland’s Emil Bise (cover image), topped the 1,397-player field to collect his first WSOP gold bracelet and a €250,175 payday (includes a €10,350 WSOPE Main Event ticket).

Bise was third in chips when the nine-handed final table began. In just four hours, he decimated the competition, eventually defeating Romania’s Marius Gicovanu heads-up to become the third Swiss player after Besim Hot and Guillaume Humbert to win a WSOP bracelet.

“It’s beautiful, it’s a beautiful feeling, and I am very happy,” said Bise after his impressive victory!

“Yes, very proud, I won the WSOP Circuit Main Event here three years ago, but this is very special,” Bise added, sharing that he plans to continue playing the remainder of the series and has ambitiously set his eyes upon winning the Main Event. “King’s (Resort, Rozvadov) is my second home. I love the WSOP and big series. The WSOP is my series.”

Owing to a surge of COVID-19 cases, the government has imposed new restrictions in the country. And while the WSOPE events have been running on schedule, the timings of some events have been changed to accommodate for the 10 PM curfew. King’s Casino relayed the same across its social media channels, underlining that the casino remains open and fully functional.

Important Update
New government regulations, but all planned WSOPE events still happening (adjustments).
✅ King’s stays open and fully operational
✅ Borders are open
✅ All our staff is vaccinated to ensure safety
✅ We do everything to ensure the highest hygiene standards. pic.twitter.com/48XN2ZzJyA

— King's Resort (@PokerroomKings) November 25, 2021

The Mini Main Event ran three starting flights, and the 1,397-entry field generated a €1,592,580 prize pool, more than double that of the €600,000 advertised guarantee. Only 211 made it to Day 2, which concluded with the formation of the nine-handed final table.

The nine finalists took their seats on the third and the final day on Friday, November 26 (6 PM CET). Leading the pack was Ciro Perna (75 BBs), and while each player was assured of €21,261, all eyes were on the WSOP gold bracelet!

Final Table Chip Counts

1. Ciro Perna – 44,900,000 (75 BBs)
2. Marius Gicovanu – 36,000,000 (60 BBs)
3. Emil Bise – 18,200,000 (30 BBs)
4. Alessandro Pichierri – 10, 200,000 (17 BBs)
5. Jack Sinclair – 7,700,000 (13 BBs)
6. Rolf van Brug – 7,400,000 (12 BBs)
7. Vivian Saliba – 7,200,00 (12 BBs)
8. Omid Novin – 6,700,000 (11 BBs)
9. Pablo Finini – 1,600,000 (3 BBs)

Final Table Recap

Omid Novin lost his tournament life relatively early in ninth place after his ace-four was outdone by Vivian Saliba’s nut flush.

An hour later, Pablo Finini was eliminated in eighth place.

Vivian Saliba quickly hit the rail before start-of-day chip leader Ciro Perna headed out as the sixth-place finisher. Both of them were taken out by Rolf Van Brug.

The top six finalists, including eventual champion Bise, won a free ticket to the €10,350 WSOPE Main Event.

It took another hour for the subsequent elimination to come through. In a battle of the blinds, Jack Sinclair shoved from the small blind, evoking a snap call from big blind Marius Gicovanu. Sinclair showed king-five and was trailing Gicovanu’s ace-king. After failing to connect to the board, Sinclair was eliminated in fifth place.

Gicovanu went on an elimination spree as he took out Alessandro Pichierri and Rolf van Brug in fourth and third place, respectively, setting up the heads-up match with Bise.

The double eliminations boosted Marius Gicovanu’s stack to an overwhelming 94,700,000 that was over twice Bise’s 45,100,000. Bise got to work quickly to cover the deficit. Before long, his king-nine were pitted against Gicovanu’s ace-trey. Bise flopped two-pair that improved to a full house on the river. Despite Gicovanu’s aggressive play, he conceded to a runner-up finish as Bise claimed the bragging rights.

Final Table Results (EURO)

1. Emil Bise – €250,175*
2. Marius Gicovanu – €154,611*
3. Rolf van Brug – €112,385*
4. Alessandro Pichierri – €82,646*
5. Jack Sinclair – €64,495*
6. Ciro Perna – €46,304*
7. Vivian Saliba – €35,288
8. Pablo Finini – €27,223
9. Omid Kamali Novin – €21,261

*Includes a €10,350 WSOPE Main Event ticket

Content & Images Courtesy: WSOP & PokerNews

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