Kento Watanabe Wins the Mixed Game Festival O/E Tournament

In the final hand of the Omaha Eight or Better tournament, Kento Watanabe began on the button with 320,000 in chips and the blinds at 5000 and 10000. Joseph Hallock, crippled after a run of bad rivers, defended the big blind when Watanabe opened the action with a raise, calling all in for his last 10,000.

The cards were tabled immediately. Hallock revealed 3♦ K♦ 9♠ J♣, giving him a high-only hand with a suited king. Watanabe showed 5♦ J♦ Q♦ 7♥. Even against strong high-only hands, a hand with low possibilities is in good shape. Hallock’s hand would not be considered strong. Watanabe had to feel confident.

The flop was 4♠ 2♣ K♣ giving Hallock top pair with his K♦, but also gave Watanabe a low draw that would give a split if it hit. The turn came with a 7♣ that paired Watanabe’s seven and gave him some outs for high to go with his low draw. The river delivered the decisive Q♠, giving Watanabe two pair queens and sevens and the tournament victory.

Watanabe earned $1,862 for his win, Hallock collected $1,150, and Awad Hani finished in third place for $988.