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House Rules: Before 2021 World Series of Poker Main Event, Ryan Hansen captured a “fun” WSOP bracelet

Bernard Lee
@BernardLeePoker

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event began earlier this month on Thursday, November 4. With 6,650 entrants, the most highly anticipated poker tournament of the entire year will conclude on Wednesday, November 17, with the champion taking home $8 million.

However, many people don’t realize that the WSOP is almost an eight-week poker festival held in Las Vegas, Nevada. After a year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s WSOP was comprised of a total of 88 live tournaments. Prior to the main event, 66 of those events were completed with each winner capturing the most coveted prize in poker: a WSOP bracelet.

One such winner hails from Stamford, Connecticut, who just loves to play poker.

“Poker should be about fun,” stated Hansen. “I love the volatility and randomness of poker. Some days you crush the table and other days you get crushed. I just love playing poker.”

Ryan Hansen is primarily a limit hold ’em cash game player who often plays at the Borgata Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Hansen comes out to WSOP to play cash and only dabbles in tournaments. In fact, he wasn’t even going to play in Event #44, $3,000 6-handed limit hold ’em tournament.

“The night before, I was playing in a limit hold ’em cash game at Bellagio. Everyone was talking about the WSOP limit hold ’em tournament that was happening the next day. I was actually on the fence if I was going to play since I don’t play many tournaments. I’m confident in my cash game, but not as experienced in tournaments. But a good friend convinced me to play.”

After making through Day 1 of the $3,000 6-handed limit hold ’em tournament, Hansen had an incredible Day 2. Heading into Day 3, the 44-year-old was among the chip leaders with only 10 players remaining.

“I had trouble sleeping after Day 2. My mind was racing, but I felt very confident. And I was going to have fun.”

Hansen continued his solid play and ended up heads-up versus Japan’s Kosei Ichinose. While Hansen was a 2-1 chip underdog as the duo began heads-up play, the following hand helped him gain the critical momentum he needed to capture the bracelet.

With the blinds at 40,000 and 80,000 (Note: there are no antes in limit hold ’em), Ichinose raised to 160,000 from the button holding Kc-4c. Hansen looked down at 8s-8d and decided to re-raise to 240,000.

After Ichinose made the call, the dealer flipped over an incredible flop:

8h-8c-3h!

He had just flopped quad eights!

Not wanting to lose any value, Hansen bet out 80,000.

Surprisingly, Ichinose called.

The turn which was the 4h looked good to Ichinose as he had made a pair.

After Hansen bet out again, this time to 160,000, Ichinose once again made the call.

Finally, the dealer turned over the Ac.

“I almost went for the check-raise on the river, but I wanted to make sure I got value.”

After Hansen bet 160,000, Ichinose agonized over his decision, but eventually made the call.

This monster hand propelled Hansen to victory. He would outlast a field of 162 players, while earning $109,692 and the coveted WSOP bracelet.

In the end, Hansen captured his first WSOP bracelet playing under his own poker philosophy.

“Poker is supposed to be fun … and those three days were truly a lot of fun.”

Bernard Lee is considered “The Voice of New England Poker” and is a staple of the poker media as a columnist for ESPN.com, PokerNews, CardplayerLifestyle.com and his radio show, “The Bernard Lee Poker Show.” Listen every Tuesdays from 6-7 p.m. on terrestrial radio in Boston on the Money Matter Radio Network (102.9 FM, 1120 AM) or via podcast on iTunes or CardplayerLifestyle.com. E-mail him at BernardLeePoker@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter, Instagram (@BernardLeePoker), YouTube (BernardLeePoker) and Facebook (Bernard Lee). Since finishing 13th in the 2005 WSOP Main Event, Lee has cashed in over 100 tournaments, earning about $2.5 million on tour and capturing 10 titles including two WSOP Circuit titles. Visit www.BernardLeePoker.com for the latest news and information.