The American mixed-game specialists and a three-time WSOP bracelet winner John Monnette claimed his third gold bracelet from Event #22: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, taking home $256,610 and succeeding to defeat some of the most renown poker stars – all this before his wife’s eyes, who was calming him down and motivating him to win.
Eight of the biggest professionals in the poker world met at the final table, among whom Paul Volpe, who had claimed the gold in this same event back in 2014, Mike Gorodinsky, who won the 2015 WSOP Player of the Year, and Darren Elias, who is one of the most prominent names in the World Poker Tour. These distinguished players challenged one another at the 2-7 Lowball Draw tournament and demonstrated world-class proficiency at it.
For the most part of the play Monnette was leading and way ahead of his rivals for the gold bracelet. When he managed to remove Elias, the player he considers one of his most resisting opponents from his way, Monnette went straight into heads-up play with Hildebrand. This was a piece of cake for him and this was evident from the very beginning, with his 3.5 million chips against Hildebrand’s 1.1 million. On the final hand, Hildebrand pronounced Monnette a winner before even showing the cards he held – the Swedish poker player had a decent hand, but not powerful enough to beat Monnette’s [8x][6x][5x][4x][3x].
This third WSOP gold bracelet adds up to John Monnette’s lifetime earnings, which are estimated to be more than $2.6 million. The previous tournaments he had won were the $5,000 Seven Card Stud in 2012 and the $2,500 8-Game in 2011 and he has his two bracelets, but this is the first one he has won since his marriage and according to him, his wife is his biggest support in everything he does.
During his earlier years in the poker field, when he was in his twenties, John was best known for his nickname “Angry John” which he was given, because of his quick temper and his lack of patience. When something was not going as planned, he was always making sure everyone in the room knows he is not happy with it and he would not tolerate the situation. Now in his thirties he is more mellow and according to him, this is very much due to the fact that his wife, Diana, is next to him to soothe and reassure him, after he had spent a big part of his day practicing his award-winning skills.
