Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix
Day 3 Completed
Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix
Day 3 Completed
Vladimir Shchemelev burst onto the World Series of Poker stage in 2010 when he finished runner-up in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. Although he had made a WSOP final table previously, his second-place finish on the national stage in the PPC proved to be a sign of things to come for the 44-year-old banker, as Shchemelev has amassed 27 WSOP cashes since then. Among those cashes have been eight more final tables made. He won his first bracelet in 2013 and has added a second piece of jewelry with his win in Event #32: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Mix.
When asked how winning his second bracelet felt in comparison to his first, Shchemelev said through a translator, "Very calm. Not as much pressure as the first time. The first bracelet was tough. It took me like nine final tables before I won my first bracelet. It was important for me to win my first bracelet, so I was kind of nervous. Today, I was very calm."
His first bracelet came in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo, one of the three variants of Omaha Hi-Lo in this event, along with Limit Omaha Hi-Lo and Big O. When asked which game he felt was his best, Shchemelev (via translator) said "I hate them all," drawing huge laughs from his rail. "I am kidding. I am very comfortable with all the games."
Shchemelev bagged a modest stack on Day 1 and was 72nd in chips of the remaining 224 players entering Day 2. He cruised into the money from that point and was 7th of 29 players remaining for Day 3. He steadily ascended the chip counts and was second when the final table was reached. He and eventual runner-up Howard Smith traded the chip lead back and forth throughout the final table before the inevitable heads-up battle began. Shchemelev began at a slight chip disadvantage but quickly took the chip lead. Smith battled back to get things even, but Shchemelev scored the victory shortly thereafter.
Position | Player | Country | Prize |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Vladimir Shchemelev | Russia | $193,484 |
2 | Howard Smith | United Kingdom | $119,524 |
3 | Nikolai Yakovenko | Russia | $81,232 |
4 | Igor Sharaskin | Russia | $56,187 |
5 | Usman Siddique | United Kingdom | $39,565 |
6 | Yueqi Zhu | China | $28,375 |
7 | Erle Mankin | Unites States | $20,730 |
8 | Jesse Simonelli | Unites States | $15,435 |
Big O
Vladimir Shchemelev limped on the button and Howard Smith checked his option.
The flop came down and Smith checked. Shchemelev bet 50,000, Smith check-raised pot to 230,000, and Shchemelev called.
The turn was the and Smith bet the pot of 500,000. Shchemelev raised, Smith called all in for roughly 700,000 and the hands were tabled.
Shchemelev:
Smith:
Smith had a set of fives with a rough low, while Shchemelev had a lock on the low and was freerolling to a flush.
The river was the , giving Shchemelev the flush to scoop the pot and eliminate Smith in second place.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
5,160,000
1,060,000
|
1,060,000 |
Howard Smith | Busted |
PLO-8
Howard Smith raised to 120,000 from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev called from the big blind.
The flop fell and Shchemelev check-called 200,000 from Smith. Both players checked the turn and river.
Shchemelev showed for a king-high straight, Smith mucked, and Shchemelev won the pot. Along with a few other pots of similar size, Shchemelev has extended his lead to about 4:1.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
4,100,000
980,000
|
980,000 |
Howard Smith |
1,060,000
-980,000
|
-980,000 |
Big-O
Vladimir Shchemelev called from the button and Howard Smith checked his option.
The flop came and Smith checked. Shchemelev bet 75,000 and Smith called.
The turn brought the and Smith bet 175,000. Shchemelev called.
The fell on the river and Smith checked. Shchemelev bet 450,000, and after brief consideration, Smith folded and Shchemelev took the pot.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
3,120,000
260,000
|
260,000 |
Howard Smith |
2,040,000
-260,000
|
-260,000 |
Omaha-8
Howard Smith raised from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev defended.
The flop fell and Shchemelev bet. Smith called, the turn fell and both players checked.
The river was the , Shchemelev bet and Smith called.
Shchemelev showed for a queen-high straight, besting Smith's for a jack-high straight.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
2,860,000
460,000
|
460,000 |
Howard Smith |
2,300,000
-460,000
|
-460,000 |
Big-O
Howard Smith raised to 120,000 from the button, Vladimir Shchemelev three-bet to 240,000 from the big blind, Smith announced a pot-sized four-bet, Shchemelev jammed, and Smith called to put himself at risk.
Shchemelev:
Smith:
The board ran out to secure the double-up for Smith.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Howard Smith |
2,760,000
1,380,000
|
1,380,000 |
Vladimir Shchemelev |
2,400,000
-1,380,000
|
-1,380,000 |
Big O
Vladimir Shchemelev limped from the button and Howard Smith checked his option.
The flop fell and Smith checked. Shchemelev bet 75,000, Smith check-raised pot to 305,000, and Shchemelev called. The the turn was the and Smith check-called 300,000 from Shchemelev. The river was the and Smith led for 500,000. Shchemelev called instantly.
Smith showed for tens and sixes, but Shchemelev tabled for a set of queens to win the pot.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
3,780,000
860,000
|
860,000 |
Howard Smith |
1,380,000
-860,000
|
-860,000 |
Omaha-8
Howard Smith raised from the button and Vladimir Shchemelev called from the big blind.
The flop came and Shchemelev checked. Smith bet, Shchemelev raised, Smith three-bet, and Shchemelev called.
The turn brought the , Shchemelev bet, and Smith called.
The fell on the river and Shchemelev bet again. Smith called and Shchemelev tabled for a queen-high flush and sixty-one low. Smith mucked and Shchemelev took the pot.
Player | Chips | Progress |
---|---|---|
Vladimir Shchemelev |
2,920,000
545,000
|
545,000 |
Howard Smith |
2,240,000
-545,000
|
-545,000 |