2016 World Series of Poker Daily Update: Norman Chad Defends Old School Pros, Three Players Win Bracelets

June 30th, 2016 | by Jason Reynolds

ESPN poker broadcaster Norman Chad was paying attention to T.J. Cloutier’s recent run during a 2016 World Series of Poker event. On Wednesday, he took to Twitter to defend Cloutier and other old school legends.

Longtime WSOP TV host Norman Chad takes up for the senior set in a Twitter tirade. (Image: cardplayer.com)

Cloutier finished he the 14th spot out of a starting field of 6,927 in Event #41, teh $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em, at the impressive age of 76. Chad, apparently under the impression the youngsters don’t respect the old-timers, posted a series of seemingly defensive Twitter comments.

“WSOP history: From 1985 to 2003, T.J. Cloutier had 41 cashes, all 24th or better, including 34 final tables – 34! – and four bracelets,” he penned.

“T.J. Cloutier busts in 14th at Monster Stack. That’s his 64^th WSOP cash, 38 of which – 38! – were final tables,” he continued.

“For those dismissing T.J. Cloutier’s 38 WSOP final tables. Yes, they were smaller fields. But only seven were under 10; 16 were over 200,” he finished.

Hennigan Wins Fourth WSOP Title

John Hennigan isn’t just known for being the guy who bought out of a bet so he wouldn’t have to live in Des Moines, Iowa for a month. You may also recognize him as a world-class poker player and a three-time WSOP bracelet winner.

Make that a four-time bracelet winner.

“Johnny World” took down Event #47, the $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Lowball championship, on Wednesday. He beat Michael Gathy heads-up. Gathy was looking for his second bracelet of the summer. That will have to wait. He never could overcome a huge chip disadvantage during heads-up play.

Hennigan last won a bracelet in 2014 in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. The cash he won on Wednesday ($320,103) is but a fourth of his last bracelet cash of $1,517,767 two years ago.

Chris Klodnicki entered Day Three with the chip lead, but busted out in 4th. J.C. Tran, hoping for a third career bracelet, had to settle for 3rd place this time, and his 54th career WSOP cash.

Bicknell Vies for First Woman’s Bracelet of 2016

Those who think poker is a man’s game will be sweating out Event #46, the $1,500 Bounty No-Limit Hold’em on Wednesday. There are just three players remaining, and the chip leader is a woman.

Kristen Bicknell, a Canadian, has 7,080,000 chips. She’ll attempt to be the first woman to win a WSOP title in 2016. She is an accomplished pro, having won the Ladies event in 2013. First place in this tournament will pay $290,768.

Wolansky Gets the Gold

Steven Wolansky first one a bracelet in 2014 (in the $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Draw Lowball. His next one came on Wednesday in Event #44, the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em. He won $298,849 by outlasting a field of 2,076 players.

Wolansky had to fend off a pesky Wenlong Jin heads-up for the title. The competitors began the match on Tuesday, but were unable to conclude before the Rio shut down its tables at 1 am-ish.

Play resumed on Day Four of the tournament. After 44 additional hands, Wolansky was finally crowned champion. He ran pure throughout this event and the final hand was a fitting way to end it.

The soon-to-be champ shoved all-in with 8♥8♣ and found himself in a race when Jin quickly called with Q♠J♥. The 8♥K♣7♣ flop left Jin dead to all but runner-runner straight. When the 8♠ flipped over on the turn, Wolansky hit quads and had his opponent drawing dead. The 4♠ river was irrelevant.

Ankush Mandavia Takes Down Turbo NLH

Ankush Mandavia, after Wednesday’s action, can refer to himself as a World Series of Poker bracelet winner. He took down Event #48, the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo, for $548,139.

The Georgia resident outlasted 524 players, including his heads-up foe Daniel Strelitz. Phil Hellmuth finished 8th, his highest finish this summer, but was unable to claim his 15th career bracelet. It’s been a bit of a tough summer for the Poker Brat.

The On-Deck Circle

Thursday is the start of Event #52, the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em and Event #53, the $1,500 Mixed PLO/8; Omaha Hi-Low/8, which has the interesting tag of the “Big O”. Probably the winner will have one, anyway.