After successful this occasion final yr and ending runner-up in 2023, Japan’s Shiina Okamoto etched her title into poker historical past by conducting what as soon as appeared unattainable: successful the back-to-back Women Championship on the World Sequence of Poker.
The stress was on Okamoto as she started the day with a commanding chip lead, with all eyes on her to see if she may repeat the feat. She didn’t falter underneath the highlight, in the end triumphing over 1,368 rivals to say the highest prize of $184,094 in Occasion #70: $1,000 Women Championship at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Okamoto confronted Heather Alcorn heads-up. Alcorn, a WSOP Circuit ring winner who was additionally named the 2019 WSOP Vendor of the 12 months, had began the ultimate day in the midst of the pack and earned a decent $122,654 for her end.
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Occasion #70: $1,000 Women Championship Closing Desk Outcomes
Winner’s Response
Chatting with PokerNews after her victory, Okamoto stated she headed into the ultimate desk as chip chief, decided to stayed composed underneath stress.
“I actually believed I used to be going to win”
“I actually believed I used to be going to win,” she stated, by a translator. “I did not really feel rushed like I wanted to pressure it. I simply targeted on doing what I wanted to do correctly.
“There was nonetheless lots of stress, with everybody anticipating me to win back-to-back. I assumed that so long as I stayed calm and did every part proper, I’d ultimately come out on high. So I used to be actually aware about not panicking and retaining my composure.
The ultimate desk didn’t provide any straightforward spots. “I don’t keep in mind particular fingers, however when it received down to a few gamers, issues shifted,” she recalled. “I had been making an attempt to use tendencies I observed earlier within the match, however my opponents adjusted their play. It took me a while to regulate again. That was robust.”
This occasion is now synonymous with Okamoto, with a runner-up end adopted by two straight titles. “I believe folks now affiliate me with this occasion. Some gamers begin adjusting their methods in opposition to me, calling lighter to catch bluffs, or enjoying extra cautiously. I used to be capable of benefit from that. In a manner, it’s only a good match for a way I play.”
As she continues to encourage a rising fan base in Japan, she provided phrases of encouragement to ladies considering of moving into the sport. “Most individuals don’t be taught poker totally on their very own — they be taught from somebody. And selecting that particular person actually issues. It takes common sense to search out the suitable mentor, and I hope new gamers don’t make the error of studying from the unsuitable one.”
Motion of the Day
The ultimate day started quietly, however after about an hour of play, the opposite Japanese participant on the closing desk, Sumire Uenomachi—who began because the quick stack—was eradicated by her compatriot. Uenomachi shoved her final blinds with ace-ten in opposition to Okamoto’s ace-queen.
Okamoto was additionally liable for the subsequent knockout, successful a flip with ace-six in opposition to pocket fours when Juliet Hegedus moved all in with their final eight massive blinds.
Regardless of beginning the day third in chips with 54 massive blinds, Sonia Shashikhina bumped into just a few robust spots that left her with simply 5 massive blinds. She was eradicated shortly after when she shoved king-seven into Julie Huynh’s pocket aces.
A key second adopted when Stephani Hagberg, who had been shut behind Okamoto in chips, misplaced an enormous pot to the defending champion. Hagberg performed aggressively with high pair in opposition to Okamoto’s two pair, which gave Okamoto a commanding lead she by no means relinquished.
Heather Alcorn scored a double up in opposition to Huynh, leaving her with just one massive blind. Huynh joined the payout desk simply quarter-hour later.
Three-handed play started with Alcorn as a really quick stack, however she managed to double up in a flip in opposition to Okamoto. Even so, she was nonetheless in danger, and reaching heads-up play appeared unlikely. Nonetheless, an enormous hand between Okamoto and Hagberg helped her safe the pay leap. On a flip that introduced a flush for Okamoto whereas Hagberg held two pair, all of the chips went into the center. The river bricked out, sending Hagberg to the rail in third place.
Though Alcorn scored a double up on the primary hand of heads-up play, the duel didn’t final lengthy. She moved all in with ace-deuce in opposition to Okamoto’s pocket nines, and a dry board sealed her destiny in second place.
Okamoto made historical past by attaining one of many best accomplishments in WSOP historical past, celebrating her wonderful back-to-back victory along with her rail.
That wraps up our protection of the Women Championship, however keep tuned to PokerNews for all the most recent updates from the World Sequence of Poker because the Fundamental Occasion approaches.
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