Event 3 of the 2021 Lucky Hearts Poker Open was a $400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out). A field of 102 players was generated, tying the second-biggest H.O.R.S.E. tournament field in any Seminole Hard Rock Poker major series.

Once the field reached the final table of seven players, a lengthy battle ensued. Nick Pupillo, who was down to less than one big bet with two tables remaining, began the final table sixth in chips. Despite finding himself short-stacked and on the brink of elimination several more times, Pupillo was able to persevere in a poker variant that he is not known for.

With more than $3.3 million in tournament winnings according to the Hendon Mob, almost all of it is in the more popular games of No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha. In fact, only about $16,000 of that amount is in mixed games.

“I play mixed games here and there,” said Pupillo afterward. “I bagged in the opening (No-Limit Hold’em) event yesterday and felt like playing this one today. A little change of pace. A lot of swings, but you’re never quite out of it when you’re short in the Limit games.”

Pupillo not only prevailed, but he denied runner-up finisher Yuval Bronshtein’s attempt at winning an SHRP trophy on back-to-back days after Bronshtein won Event 2 last night.

“He’s a great player, but I just like to play and test my skills. I think it’s great experience to play it out. It was more so just the experience of playing heads-up so if I ever get in a bigger spot, I’ll be a little more comfortable and have something to draw on.”

Final Results

Place	First Name	Last Name	Prize Amount
1	Nick	Pupillo	$9,570
2	Yuval	Bronshtein	$6,380
3	Ian	Feller	$4,331
4	Devin	Weinberg	$3,048
5	Lazaro	Rodriguez	$2,228
6	John	Simcox	$1,694
7	Bryce	Fox	$1,225
8	Walter	Chambers	$1,225
9	Ashton	Griffin	$957
10	Yordan	Petrov	$957
11	Scott	Baumstein	$866
12	Aron	Dermer	$866
13	Jennifer	Borsini	$823

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 25: 40,000/80,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 1 of 102

Stud 8

Nick Pupillo: /
Yuval Bronshtein: /

Nick Pupillo was the bring-in, Yuval Bronshtein completed to 40,000, Pupillo raised to 80,000, Bronshtein reraised to 120,000, Pupillo reraised to 160,000, Bronshtein reraised to 200,000 and Pupillo called.

Here was how their boards came through sixth street.

Nick Pupillo: /
Yuval Bronshtein: /

Bronshthein check-called a bet from Pupillo on fourth street before leading out on fifth street. Pupillo called, took the on-board lead on sixth street and bet. Bronshtein called all in for his remaining 60,000.

Nick Pupillo: /
Yuval Bronshtein: /

The case king on sixth street was exactly what Pupillo was looking for, leaving Bronshtein drawing dead heading to seventh street.

Bronshtein’s bid for trophies on back-to-back days came up just short with a runner-up finish for $6,380.

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 25: 40,000/80,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Since making that nine-high straight, things have gone straight downhill for Yuval Bronshtein.

Nick Pupillo doubled up twice in the Stud 8 rotation, making two pair twice that Bronshtein couldn’t overcome either time.

With the chip counts back around even, Pupillo pulled ahead through the next rotation of Hold’em, Omaha 8, Razz and Stud.

Nick Pupillo – 845,000 (11 big bets)
Yuval Bronshtein – 380,000 (5 big bets)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 24: 30,000/60,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Stud

Yuval Bronshtein: / /
Nick Pupillo: / /

Pupillo was the bring-in, Bronshtein completed and Pupillo called.

Bronshtein check-called bets from Pupillo on fourth and fifth street before Pupillo took the on-board lead on sixth and bet. Bronshtein raised, Pupillo called and then check-called a bet from Bronshtein on seventh street.

Bronshtein tabled for a nine-high straight, Pupillo mucked and Bronshtein won the pot to regain a solid chip lead.

Yuval Bronshtein – 1,040,000 (17 big bets)
Nick Pupillo – 185,000 (3 big bets)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 24: 30,000/60,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Omaha 8

Nick Pupillo raised from the button, Yuval Bronshtein three-bet from the big blind and Pupillo called.

The flop came and Bronshtein check-called a bet from Pupillo.

The turn was the and Bronshtein check-called another bet from Pupillo.

The river was the and Bronshtein check-called a third bet.

Pupillo tabled for a ten-high straight, Bronshtein mucked and Pupillo collected the pot to just about tie things up.

Nick Pupillo – 600,000 (10 big bets)
Yuval Bronshtein – 625,000 (10 big bets)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 23: 25,000/50,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Hold’em

Nick Pupillo raised from the button and Yuval Bronshtein called from the big blind.

The flop was and Bronshtein checked to Pupillo who bet. Bronshtein put in a check-raise and Pupillo called.

Pupillo called bets from Bronshtein on both the turn and river.

Bronshtein showed for a pair of tens, Pupillo flashed for a pair of tens with an inferior kicker, and Bronshtein collected the bet.

Yuval Bronshtein – 1,025,000 (20.5 big bets)
Nick Pupillo – 200,000 (4 big bets)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 23: 25,000/50,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Yuval Bronshtein called his shot after winning Event 2 last night, saying he was going to go back-to-back. All that stands in his way now is established poker professional Nick Pupillo, showing he’s more than just a no-limit wizard.

Bronshtein has a slight edge to begin the heads-up match with about 710,000 (14 big bets) to Pupillo’s 515,000 (10 big bets).

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 23: 25,000/50,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 2 of 102

Omaha 8

Ian Feller, who at one point four-handed was down to 6,000 and ran it up to about 300,000, raised from the button and Nick Pupillo called from the big blind.

The flop was and Pupillo checked to Feller who continued with a bet. Pupillo check-raised and Feller called all in for 45,000 with for nines with a low draw.

Pupillo, however, tabled for the nut straight.

Feller four no help from the turn nor the river, ending his run in third place.

Nick Pupillo – 515,000 (10 big bets)
Ian Feller – Eliminated in 3rd Place ($4,331)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 21: 15,000/30,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 4 of 102

Seat 1: Devin Weinberg – 45,000 (1.5 big bet bets)
Seat 4: Ian Feller – 105,000 (3.5 big bets)
Seat 6: Yuval Bronshtein – 690,000 (23 big bets)
Seat 7: Nick Pupillo – 385,000 (13 big bets)

$400 H.O.R.S.E. (Freeze-Out)
Structure | Payouts
Level 20: 12,000/24,000 Limits
Players Remaining: 4 of 102

Razz

Lazaro Rodriguez: /
Ian Feller: : – fold
Nick Pupillo: /

Lazaro Rodriguez completed on third street, Ian Feller called and Nick Pupillo raised. Rodriguez made it three bets, Feller capped it at four bets and both Pupillo and Rodriguez called.

Rodriguez bet with the on-board lead on fourth street and both opponents called.

Rodriguez bet again on fifth street, Feller folded and Pupillo called all in for 17,000.

Lazaro Rodriguez: /
Nick Pupillo: /

Here were the rest of their runouts:

Lazaro Rodriguez: / /
Nick Pupillo: / /

Pupillo made a seven-six on seventh street to nearly triple up. Not long after, Pupillo eliminated Rodriguez during Stud.

Nick Pupillo – 380,000 (16 big bets)
Lazaro Rodriguez – Eliminated in 5th Place ($2,228)

Recent Eliminations
6th: John Simcox – $1,694
7th: Bryce Fox – $1,225