World Series of Poker bracelet winner Kenneth O’Donnell won the $1,600 UltimateStack at the Venetian Poker Room for $286,349. However, it was a bad beat with six players left that left jaws on the floor.
Joe Serock, a fellow WSOP bracelet winner and seasoned pro in live and online poker sites, entered the final day as the chip leader with seven players remaining. He finished in eighth place in last year’s main event.
With six players left, he was still on top of the back and got into an insane 15.25 million-chip pot with Vijai Santhanam. Despite having just three live outs, he found his miracle card to take command of the final table.
Although he would have twice the amount of chips as his closest competitor, Serock suffered the proverbial “death by a thousand cuts” and finished fifth for $90,430.
Perfect Double Check-Raise Backfires Terribly
With six players remaining and the blinds at 250,000-500,000 with a 500,000 big blind ante, Joe Serock opened to 1,000,000 from the hijack with A♣K♠. Vijai Santhanam called from the small blind with Q♦10♦.
The flop was K♦J♣9♠ and Serock bet 750,000. Santhanam raised to 2,000,000. Serock called.
The turn was the A♦ and Santhanam checked. Serock bet 1,500,000 and Santhanam went all in for 4,125,000. Serock snap-called.
The river was the K♣. Joe Serock won 15,250,000 with a full house.
Craziest Hand of the Summer?! 🤯 Double Check-Raise Madness at the $1,600 UltimateStack Final Table!
🔗 https://t.co/tIQ5h5NMIE pic.twitter.com/kPHUHZ4th1
— Venetian Poker Room (@VenetianPoker) June 29, 2025
