Non-Hold’em Action at the WSOP Sees One Player Win Without Knowing the Rules

June 28th, 2017 | by Brian Corlisse

The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has just passed the halfway mark and the non-Hold’em events are now starting to pique the interests of players.

Matthew Schreiber $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. winner.

Matthew Schreiber wins the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event despite not knowing all of the games. (Image: WSOP.com)

Although the biggest Hold’em event of all is yet to come, those with a penchant for something different have been treated to Omaha and Stud showdowns in recent days.

Coming to a close on June 23 was Event #40, the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better.

Forrest Falls in Favor of Bohn

Attracting 595 players, the event generated a prizepool topping $803,250 and, as expected, the field was filled with veteran players and experienced pros. When the final table was set, Justin Bonomo and Max Pescatori were among the younger players in action, but all eyes were on Ted Forrest.

A familiar face to those who tuned into High Stakes Poker back in the day, Forrest was arguably the most accomplished non-Hold’em player at the table with five of his six WSOP bracelets coming in other disciplines.

However, when the chips were down, Forrest fell first in the finale as 68-year-old Ernest Bohn made a break for his first bracelet. Despite his regular $0.50/$1 home game forming the bulk of his experience, Bohn managed to hold his own and clinch the title when his seven-high straight was enough to beat Bill Kohler into second.

As Bohn picked up this first bracelet and $173,228, Loren Klein was clinching the title and $231,483 in Event #41 ($1,500 Pot Limit Omaha).

With those events in the books, the most dexterous players gathered for the $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. event on June 22.

Schreiber’s Horsing Around Earns Him a Bracelet

Ready to play for the lion’s share of a $1,077,300 prizepool, 399 players grinding their way through five poker variants for three days in Event #44 until Matthew Schreiber eventually scooped the last chip in play.

While it’s always impressive to win a WSOP bracelet in any event, Schreiber’s victory will go down in poker folklore thanks to his lack of knowledge for some of the variants in play.

Overheard discussing a lucky hand with Valentin Vornicu, Schreiber admitted that he only knew how to play three of the games before the start of the event.

He went on to confirm this in a post-tournament interview when he said Hi-Lo games weren’t his forte but he does play mixed cash games. Despite his inexperience, Schreiber sailed through the final table and stood smiling in the limelight after a Razz hand helped him see of Phil Hui.

Schreiber’s unexpected win is one that encapsulates the magic of the WSOP and it’s a feat every casual grinder will be hoping to emulate as we head towards the WSOP Main Event on July 8.