Matt Hawrilenko Wins WSOP Event 56

Just before midnight, Las Vegas time on Thursday, Matt Hawrilenko was declared the winner in Event No. 56, scooping a first placing prize worth $1 003 163 and a coveted WSOP bracelet in the last of the preliminary tournaments this year.

Internet and live tourney player Hawrilenko defeated Josh Brikis in a heads up of just four hands.

The last four survivors of the 4 day tourney battled for some time before low stack but persistent Sean Keeton, was eliminated by Hawrilenko in fourth place. Three-handed action then lasted another hour before Faraz Jaka took pocket queens up against Hawrilenko's ace-king, and Hawrilenko won the race, sending Jaka home in third place for $400 526.

Hawrilenko went into the heads up against Josh Brikis with a 4 million chip lead, and just four hands later it was over. Josh Brikis' second placing was worth $619,609.