Martin Kabrhel’s banner year continues with WSOP Europe bracelet win

Would watching him play discourage potential new players from dipping their toes in the waters of live poker, worried they’d need to learn to handle the type of constant verbal theatrics for which he’s become known? Or is the attention he brings to the game a net benefit to the poker world?

At the end of the day, does it matter? Kabrhel is a player like anyone else, free to put up his cash and take a shot. And when he does, the results can be extraordinary; his PLO bracelet is his fifth overall and the fourth he has claimed at the WSOP’s annual European showcase, taking his career live tournament earnings past the $16 million mark.

Kabrhel and Cowen dominate final table

88 entries created a prizepool some €120K short of the €1 million guarantee, with 68 of those contesting the second and final day. It’s been a WSOPE dominated by European names, and the final table of the €10K PLO stayed true to form in that respect. Kabrhel was joined in the final 8 by Robert Cowen (UK), Dario Alioto (Italy), Tomasz Kozub (Poland), Ioannis Konstas (Greece), Krasimir Yankov (Bulgaria), Filip Lovric (Sweden) and Bouwe Claushuis (Netherlands).

Every one of those players was eliminated by either Kabrhel or Cowen as the two battled their way through to the heads-up finale. The final two to go — Kozub in 4th place and Alioto in 3rd — were both knocked out by Kabrhel, putting him at a significant chip advantage when heads-up play began.

Kabrhel, right, played to the rail during the heads-up encounter.

Facing Martin Kabrhel in full flow is tough enough at the best of times, but when a) you’re the only opponent at the table for him to concentrate his playful verbal speech-play upon, and b) you’re outchipped 10 to 1, that task becomes even more challenging.

It would prove to be a job that Welshman Cowen couldn’t pull off this time, and when the end finally came it was wrapped in all the dramatics for which Kabrhel is so well known.

SPECIAL OFFERS

• 
• 
• 
• 

'Last hand of the day!'

Blinds were at the 30K/60K/60K level, Kabrhel had 7M chips and change, while Cowen had a sliver of that with under 800K. Kabrhel raised to 125K from the button holding , and when Cowen called — with — loudly announced “Last hand of the day!”

Robert Cowen couldn't pull off the comeback.

The board indicated his prediction would be accurate, as the flop of gave him a made straight for the nuts, against Cowen’s flopped two-pair. The Brit checked, and Kabrhel led out for 100K, asking his opponent “Can you muck your hand?” He didn’t, coming over the top with a raise for almost his entire stack. Kabrhel raised to get Cowen’s last chips in the middle, then slowly revealed his hand — one card at a time — in the type of slow-roll that has earned him both fans and destractors over the years.

“Nice hand,” murmured a stoic Cowen. “Thank you,” responded Kabhel, “can we both go and play the €25K now?”

Despite Cowen having outs to a full house — an ace or a five would send the pot Cowen’s way — Kabrhel’s belief was absolute. He circled the table to offer Cowen a consolation hug, which was understandably refused with the hand still live. “You’re drawing dead, no outs,” Kabrhel said, tempting fate, “You want a free massage?”

The on the turn brought Cowen no help. “I’ve won the bracelet!” shouted Kabrhel, ‘Can I celebrate?”

The river meant that yes, he could. Cowen finally gave Kabrhel the hug he asked for, before the newest WSOP winner made his traditionally swift beeline for the exit.

The hug came at last.

World Series of Poker Europe €10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty - final table results

You can watch a replay of the final day at the WSOP YouTube channel.

^{Featured and additional images courtesy of WSOP/Tomas Stacha.}