2016 World Series of Poker Daily Update: Colossus II Finds a Winner in Ben Keeline, Dealers Choice Goes to Lawrence Berg

The 2016 World Series of Poker Colossus II, the second-largest poker tournament in history, came to an end on Tuesday night. Ben Keeline, a struggling 30-year-old poker pro from Illinois, topped a field of 21,613 entrants to win his first gold bracelet and a $1,000,000 first-place prize.

30-year-old Ben Keeline is $1 million richer today, after taking down Colossus II against a field of 21,613 opponents. (Image: WSOP.com)

Keeline, who had $574,323 in lifetime earnings prior to the win, prevailed in an intense back-and-forth heads-up battle against Jiri Horak, who took $618,000 back to the Czech Republic for finishing second.

The other finalists to cash were as follows:

Berg Wins First Bracelet in Event #5: $1,500 Dealers Choice

Event #5, the $1,500 Dealers Choice which initially attracted 389 players, saw the final nine return to battle down to a winner. Among those to fall short of the ultimate prize, but still walk away with some cash, were:

The elimination of bracelet winners Paul Volpe in fourth place for $33,393 and Andrew Brown in third for $50,250, left Lawrence Berg holding a big chip lead over his heads up opponent, Yueqi Zhu of China.

Things came to a head in a hand of Omaha Hi-Lo when Berg made a nut straight to the eight and a low to scoop. Zhu was bounced in second place for $77,526, while Berg won his first gold bracelet and claimed the $125,466 first-place prize.

36 Players Left in Event #6: $1,500 NLHE

Event #6, the $1,500 NLHE, is down to the final 36 players after Day Two. The final 321 players of a 2,016-player field returned to action, and with the elimination of Antonio Esfandiari on the money bubble, the $2,721,600 prize pool was divvied out to such players as Andreas Hoivold, who finished 290^th  to win $2,248, Matt Jarvis, coming in 165^th for $2,955), Randal Flowers, busting in the 124^th spot for $3,266, and Mike Leah, who went home in 37^th place for $9,229.

Among those returning for Day Three action at noon PT on Wednesday will be chip leader Justin Young, who bagged 188,700, as well as Alex Masek (744,000), Matt Berkey (450,000), John Racener (438,000), and Anthony Zinno (394,000).

D’Angelo Leads Final Table of 2-7 Draw Lowball

What began with 279 players in Event #7, the $1,500 NL 2-7 Draw Lowball, is now down to the final table of nine. Among those to make the final table are chip leader Ryan D’Angelo (499,000), John Monnette (425,000), “Captain” Tom Franklin (360,000), and Dan Kelly (256,500). Players will return at 2 pm PT on Wednesday to play down to a winner. That player will walk away with a $92,338 first-place prize.

Bracelet Winner Naoya Kihara Leads $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.

Event #8, the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Championship, kicked off on Tuesday and saw 778 players take to the felt. Among some of the greats to fall were Daniel Negreanu, Mike Matusow, and Arash Ghaneian, who was the defending champ.

Those returning for Day Two at noon at the Rio on Wednesday include chip leader and Team PokerStars Pro Naoya Kihara (85,900), Svetlana Gromenkova (60,600), Brian Hastings (48,200), Jeff Shulman (40,600), and Scotty Nguyen (28,100).

$10,000 Heads-Up Championship Down to Final 32

Event #9, the $10,000 Heads-Up Championship, attracted 153 players to start, but by the time Day One came to an end, just 32 remained, and only half of them would make the money. Among those looking for cash are online star Alex Luneau, EPT Grand Final champ Adrian Mateos, Big One for One Drop winner Antonio Esfandiari, and poker pro Olivier Busquet.

Action will resume at noon local time on Wednesday.

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