Vitaly Lunkin wins $1.9M – WSOP
37-year-old Russian poker professional turned a $40,000 buy-in into $1.89 million at the World Series of Poker on Monday, after topping a field of 201 of the world’s toughest players over four days. Vitaly Lunkin bested 23-year-old poker professional Isaac Haxton after more than three hours of heads-up no-limit Texas Hold ’em to win his second world series bracelet. Lunkin avoided a flush by Haxton to take the last of his chips with a pair of pocket aces – the best starting hand in poker. The players wagered all their chips after Haxton hit a pair of eights and a diamond flush draw on the flop, but black cards on the turn and river gave Lunkin the title. Event #2 Final table results and payouts: 1. Vitaly Lunkin – $1,891,012. 2. Isaac Haxton – $1,168,566. 3. Greg Raymer – $774,927. 4. Dani Stern – $548,315. 5. Justin Bonomo – $413,166. 6. Alec Torelli – $329,730. 7. Lex Veldhuis – $277,940. 8. Noah Schwartz – $246,834. 9. Ted Forrest – $230,317. 
The victory is the latest in a long string of excellent performances for the former backgammon player. As well as cashing at the EPT Grand Final in Monte Carlo, Lunkin won the recent Poker Stars Russian title. The $40,000 No Limit Hold Em is his 2nd victory at the WSOP. He picked up a bracelet in last year’s $1,500 No Limit Event. Regards