Ukrainian Vadim Shlez, who currently resides in Brooklyn, New York, had this to say"I don't know how I'm talking right now, I'm kind of speechless," said the 6 year poker pro, "It means a lot, but I don't know what it means yet because it hasn't sunk in yet."
Shlez outlasted a tough four handed battle over the final 4 1/2 hours, coming back from 11 big blinds when Trevor Savage moved all in with 5 3 off suit and Shlez found pocket kings.
"I don't know how I came back," said the Ukraine born player, "at that point it seemed dim, but I never lost confidence in my decisions and in myself."
The Championship Event began with 718 players and the field included a dozen WSOP Bracelet holders including Michael Mizrachi, Gavin Smith, Jeffrey Papola, and Vanessa Selbst. Smith made the deepest run (21st/$12,181), while Selbst helped the women take center stage early in the tournament.
The $3,500 main event began last Sunday and drew 718 players to create a $2,369,400 prize pool.
