Rachel Kranz Wins 8-Max Event After Beating Chino Rheem Heads Up

Yesterday last woman standing Esther Taylor-Brady was eliminated from WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown. But fortunately the multi-talented Rachel Kranz was able to go all the way in another event at the same venue, when she took down Event #16: $1,650 8-Max NLH (Re-Entry). The event drew 110 entries and 11 players survived to Day 2, among them 2006 WSOP Main Event champion Jamie Gold and 2008 November Niner Chino Rheem.

Going into Day 2 Kranz was 6th in chips with 63,200, while Robert Black was the overwhelming chip leader with 372,600. Chino Rhem was in 3rd place with 144,800.

As Jamie Gold was one of the short stacks it was no surprise to see him eliminated at the start of day 2 in 10th place, and before dinner break six players were gone, including Robert Black:

195k going to 4kbb after dinner av 264k 5 left $10,478 gtd. I think I'm 3rd in chips. WHEW

— Rachel Kranz April 20, 2015

It took several hours of play before the next player, Daniel DiZento, was sent to the rail in 4th place. Now it was up to Kranz, Rheem and Sabinski to fight for the trophy and the $44,863 up top. But as the three remaining players were so deep it again took hours before Daren Sabinksi was finally eliminated in a hand with Kranz, where he had a pair of nines and an open-ended straight draw vs. Kranz’ pocket tens.

Going into heads up play Kranz had a 4:1 chip advantage vs. Chimo Rheem. Rheem was able to chip up, but Kranz was not going to let the former November Niner and WPT champion run away with the victory and she fought back. On the final hand of the night all the chips went into the middle on a flop of

. Rheem turned over for top two, but Kranz was well in front with and the on the turn and the on the river secured Kranz the victory and the $44,863 for first.

Okay,let's end the suspense: I WON. $44,863 is now mine…and the glory of course.Props to about whom I can't say enough good.

— Rachel Kranz April 21, 2015

With this win Kranz has nearly $300,000 in live tournament earnings according to the Hendon Mob. Besides playing poker with great success and writing about it in Poker Pro magazine, Kranz has published a novel, Leaps of Faith (2000), a play, Playing Alexina, and numerous books on science, health and psychology.

Photo: Rachel Krantz, Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown