Event #32: $1,500 Seven Card Stud

Richard Ashby has topped a 406-strong field to win his second gold bracelet in Event #32: $1,500 Seven Card Stud at the 2024 World Series of Poker at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas after overcoming an 4:1 chip deficit against Adam Owen in heads-up play. The win saw Ashby claim $113,725 in prize money, his second victory in the same event after taking down the 2010 edition.

Ashby described the win as "pretty surreal," though he also " felt a bit sorry" for Owen, who had Ashby on the ropes at a couple of points.

However, the pressure never seemed to get to Ashby, as he was "never all in" and felt confident in his ability to "grind it back with just a few hands." His calm, collected mindset was partly due to his acceptance that "he was happy, whatever happened," and that he would "just play as good as I can."

Despite winning his second stud bracelet, Ashby still feels it is not his best game and one that he "hardly ever plays." He says the only chance he gets to grind stud tournaments is at the WSOP, so getting in the same number of reps as he can in other forms of poker is difficult.

Still, Ashby thinks his ability to "keep the pressure on people and stay a sticky customer," has helped him achieve success in the stud variant. "If I run good, get hands, it's tough for them to beat me." He certainly had his share of good fortune throughout this tournament and fully capitalized on it.

For the rest of the WSOP, Ashby will not be taking a break but plans to "fire a few bullets" to try to "win another bracelet."

Final Results

Final Table Action

The day began with nine players vying for the bracelet. The first victim was Chris Tryba as he was never able to get anything going since late in Day 2, ending his bid for a second bracelet.

Next to go were two $25K Fantasy players in Hal Rotholz and Aaron Kupin. Neither one could do much to build up a stack on Day 3. The same could be said of Jaycin Cross, who fell in sixth place shortly after.

Brandon Shack-Harris was the only player at the table who was going for his third bracelet. Still, that accomplishment will have to wait as after navigating a short stack through several pay jumps, his run eventually ended in fifth place.

From there, four-handed play began with the stacks that had been the larger ones to start the day and maintained that status as the shorter ones were eaten up. Given the relatively even chip distribution, it was no surprise that it took over an hour and a half before MengQi Chen was felted in fourth place.

Michael Noori was aiming for his second career bracelet to add to his 2021 Monster Stack win and had enjoyed periods of great momentum. Nevertheless, he ran out of steam in third place, setting the stage for a heads-up battle between Owen and Ashby.

Heads-up was a battle of the Brits, and what a battle it was. At first, Owen held a massive advantage, and it looked like things would be wrapped up fairly quickly. Ashby had other ideas as he fought back, eventually taking the lead. It was demoralizing for Owen, who had been so close so many times before, as he could only watch as the elusive first bracelet slipped out of reach.

After taking a quick break, Owen returned to a stack worth just three big bets and never really managed to make his way back into the game. He collected $75,805 for his impressive runner-up finish.

Ashby, meanwhile, was left to celebrate with his rail as he added a second bracelet to an already impressive tournament resume.

That wraps up this tournament's coverage, but stay tuned to PokerNews as its live reporting team continues to provide comprehensive coverage of the 2024 World Series of Poker.

The two players have gone on a quick break.

Richard Ashby	8,850,000	2,430,000
Adam Owen	1,250,000	-2,350,000

In the 836th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway and Mike Holtz welcome a special fill-in cohost in Frankie Cucchiara (AKA Frankie C) of Next Gen Poker. The popular content creator took a break from filming his poker exploits, as well as time away from his wife and newborn son, to come down to Level 9 in Las Vegas and talk about the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP)!

Speaking of which, it was there where Holtz says that he experienced a marked card situation, while one of the week's hot topics was the issue of late registration in big buy-in tournaments at the WSOP. Find out what happened and how officials are addressing concerns.

You'll also hear about Frankie's new summer challenge to play 100 straight days of poker, recent bracelet winners like Robert Mizrachi, Dylan Weisman, and John Racener, and other winners from about town at venues like Wynn and Venetian.

Plus, hear about the $25,000 High Roller won by Brek Schutten for $1,405,641. It was in that event that Phil Ivey lost a three-way all in, while third-place finisher Michael Rocco gave an emotional post-elimination interview.

Oh, and don't forget about WPT World Champion Dan Sepiol, who managed to claim his first bracelet and continue his rapid ascent among poker's elite.

Finally, get an update on the $25K Fantasy league and learn a bit about the popular PokerNews Daily Deepstacks which have been crowning big winners and awarding hefty paydays!

Click here to listen to the new PN Podcast!

Richard Ashby:    /    
Adam Owen:   /    / 

Action was picked up when Richard Ashby bet on sixth and seventh and Owen called both times. Ashby tabled quads as he took the heads up chip lead for the first time.

Richard Ashby	5,450,000	450,000
Adam Owen	4,650,000	-450,000

Adam Owen:   /    / 
Richard Ashby:   /    / 

Adam Owen bet on fifth and sixth street and was called on both. On seventh he checked. Richard Ashby displayed visible frustration as he missed and could not beat the pair of sevens that Owen tabled.

Adam Owen	9,200,000	1,700,000
Richard Ashby	1,300,000	-1,300,000

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Hand #1:
Adam Owen:   /    / 
Richard Ashby:   /    /  folded seventh street

Hand #2:
Adam Owen:   /    / 
Richard Ashby:   /    /  folded seventh street

On the first hand, Adam Owen bet on fourth and fifth street. Both players checked on sixth street and then Owen fired again on seventh which got the fold.

On the second hand, the same pattern followed as Owen bet fourth and fifth while checking sixth and forcing a fold with a seventh street bet.

Adam Owen	7,700,000	800,000
Richard Ashby	2,300,000	-900,000

Adam Owen:    /    
Richard Ashby:   /    / 

After exchanging a couple of hands where each player folded seventh, the two heads up players got involved in another pot that went to seventh.

Adam Owen bet on sixth, got called and then fired seventh as well which was also called. Owen tabled two pair to gather the pot.

Adam Owen	7,050,000	-250,000
Richard Ashby	3,050,000	250,000

MengQi Chen:   /    / 
Richard Ashby:   /    / 
Adam Owen:   /    / 
Michael Noori:   /    folded fifth street

Michael Noori opened and was called by Richard Ashby. Adam Owen then put in a three-bet only to see MengQi Chen four-bet. Chen received calls from all of his opponents.

Action checked to Chen. With less than a bet behind, he moved all in. Noori, Ashby and Owen all called to put Chen at risk.

Owen took over the betting lead on fifth street. That forced Noori out of the hand but Ashby made the call.

Ashby fired off on sixth street with Owen flatting to keep the side pot growing.

Both players checked to showdown on the river. Ashby had the best hand with a flush, ending Chen's impressive run in 4th place.

Adam Owen	4,600,000	-1,100,000
Richard Ashby	3,900,000	2,250,000
Michael Noori	1,600,000	-700,000
MengQi Chen	0	-1,200,000