WSOP 2016 Updates – Dealers Choice

Dealers choice is a somewhat new addition to the WSOP. Players have been using this style of play for decades, so it won't be unfamiliar territory for most. It is an exciting tournament to watch as you get to see numerous games being played instead of Texas Hold Em for hours at a time. Over the course of 3 days, 19 different poker games were played in this one tournament. Games from No Limit Hold em, to Badeucy all saw the felt at one point. This type of structure usually favors the cash game pros since they are more accustomed to playing high stakes mixed cash games. One of those cash game regulars would go on to be the events winner. An unknown by many, Lawrence Berg is no stranger to the poker rooms in Vegas and California where he splits his time. Berg went from poker dealer to poker champion on June 8th by winning his first bracelet. The structure works like this. Each player gets to call the game they want to play when the button is on them. This aspect of the game brings in a new strategy element that really tests your skill and patience. You need to be proficient at every game, and also know what your opponents are good at. Berg used this strategy to fight his way to the final table. One of his main decisions in calling a game was not based on what he played well – but more what he felt his opponents were bad at. He called Badugi and Badeucy the majority of the time feeling the other players could not play the games well. Another important factor late in the tournament were stack sizes. If short on chips, you wanted to pick a game that wouldn't ante your chips away like stud. A game like NL Hold Em where you could go all in was the right choice so you could double up and steal blinds. Using these strategies, along with a few lucky breaks and some great play, Berg would outlast 388 players to win his first bracelet. Two other bracelet winners were at the final table – Paul Volpe and Andrew Brown. Bergs win of $125,000 would the largest of his tournament career. Second went to Chinas Yueqi Zhu who is no stranger to the WSOP with 47 cashes. At one point Zhu was the chip leader and looked to be on his way to winning his first bracelet. Other notable cashes include Eli Elezra, and the return of Chris Ferguson.