Maryland Poker Dealer Earns First WSOP Bracelet of 2017

The 2017 World Series of Poker began this week with the first bracelet event being the traditional $565 Casino Employees tournament. This event is open to any individual who holds a position at a casino venue. For this year’s employee event, 651 players participated with a total prize pool of $325,500 created. In the end, it was Bryan Hollis who was able to outlast the field and claim the win, earning his very first gold WSOP bracelet in the process.

Hollis is a thirty three year old from Maryland who works as a poker dealer. He was able to defeat Chris Solomon, also a poker dealer, once the event got down to heads up play. By the time the two were the only ones remaining, it would take just 25 hands for Hollis to be named the victor.

On the final hand, Hollis would three-bet from the big blind and earn a top pair off the flop of K-9-3. Hollis bet 170,000 and Solomon decided to move all-in with 655,000. Hollis quickly called showing his K-J off-suit. Solomon revealed 10-5 hearts and the 8 and 7 of clubs on the turn and river did nothing for Solomon and gave Hollis the first place win.

In the past, the employee event has been open only to those who held a position as a poker dealer at casinos. However, the event is now open to anyone who works at a casino gaming venue. Since 2000, the casino employees has been the traditional first event of the schedule for the WSOP.

Final Table Payouts of Event #1:

The WSOP continues with several events in progress, including Events #2, #3 and #4.

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