Moshe Refaelowitz Wins 2023 World Series of Poker Colossus Event

The latest running of the World Series of Poker $400 buy-in no-limit hold’em ‘Colossus’ event once again saw the tournament live up to its name, with a massive turnout of 15,894 total entries.

Of course, only one player could walk away as the champion. After two starting flights and two more days of action, it was Moshe Refaelowitz who ultimately secured the bracelet and the top payout of $501,120. The Israeli player, now based in Miami, increased his career earnings to nearly $671,000 with this massive victory.

“I feel amazing, I’m overwhelmed. It’s a dream come true and I’m grateful,” Refaelowitz told PokerNews live reporters after closing out the win.

The final day of this event began with 80 players still in contention. Jesse Kertland held the lead to start, with Refaelowitz in tenth chip position. By the time the final table was set, Refaelowitz had overtaken the top spot on the chip counts. Kertland’s run ended in 25th place.

Refaelowitz busted Colin Robinson (9th – $46,800) to extend his lead. After William Ackerman fell in eighth place ($59,510), two-time bracelet winner Pete Chen surged up the leaderboard thanks to his A-J suited holding up against the K-Q of Nikhil Nair (7th – $76,130).

The next big clash saw Refaelowitz’s A-6 outrun the A-J of Jose Orozcogomez (6th – $100,130), making a pair of sixes to win the pot and narrow the field to five. Not long after that, David Danlag ran pocket threes into the pocket queens of Chen to hit the rail in fifth place ($126,830).

Darrick Arreola’s last chips went in with 87. Unfortunately for him, he was up against the 88 of Refaelowitz. Arreola flopped a seven but was unable to improve any further and was sent home with $165,180 for his fourth-place showing.

Refaelowitz then picked up AQ against the K9 of Chen, with all of the chips going in preflop. Chen took the lead after a 1095 flop, but the tables turned again when the A gave Refaelowitz top pair to go with his nut flush draw. The 8 on the end officially eliminated Chen in third place. The $216,320 he secured for his latest deep run increased his lifetime earnings to more than $3.7 million.

Heads-up play began with Refaelowitz holding 449,000,000 to Dae Woong Song’s 185,000,000. Song was able to battle his way into the lead for a bit, but Refaelowitz was back on top in time for the final hand. With a flop of 964, Refaelowitz check-raised all-in holding 74 for a pair and a flush draw. Song called with A9 for top pair. The turn brought the K to give Refaelowitz a flush, but Song had a re-draw to a higher flush with the nut diamond in his hand. The 2 completed the board, though, locking up the pot and the title for Refaelowitz. Song earned a career-best payday of $300,410 as the runner-up.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:

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Winner photo credit: WSOP / Hayley Hockstetler.