Patrick Stacey’s Dedication Delivers First WSOP Bracelet in $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball

The poker world watched as Patrick Stacey, a name now etched in the annals of World Series of Poker history, clinched his inaugural gold bracelet in Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball. This victory, secured on Thursday at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, brought with it a substantial $223,177 and the validation of a year-long, intense commitment to mastering mixed games.

Stacey's journey to the top of a 508-entry field was anything but an overnight success. For the past year, he has treated mixed games with the seriousness of a full-time profession, stepping away from his business to devote four to five hours daily to studying alongside coaches. This rigorous preparation, a testament to his ambition, was specifically aimed at conquering poker's most challenging variants.

Upon his triumph, Stacey's emotions were palpable. "I’m just so happy. It brought tears to my eyes to win," he shared with *PokerNews*. "I’ve been working so hard to do this. I’ve been studying about four hours a day for the last year, specifically for these games. It paid off." His prior experience was largely dominated by No-Limit Hold'em, making his successful transition and subsequent victory in the complex world of mixed games even more remarkable.

Despite starting the final day in 15th place among 18 contenders, Stacey's resolve never wavered. A pivotal Badugi hand against the seasoned Eli Elezra marked a significant turning point, where Stacey's six-four Badugi bested Elezra's six-five, propelling him into a commanding position. This crucial double-up ignited his ascent, proving that even from a mid-pack position, a bracelet was within reach.

As the field thinned, several prominent players, including Brian Yoon, Dylan Smith, Jordan Siegel, and Elezra himself, saw their bracelet hopes dashed before the unofficial final table. Stacey, however, continued his relentless march, eventually finding himself amidst a stacked final table teeming with talent and WSOP lore.

The unofficial final table of seven was a who's who of mixed game specialists and fan favorites. It featured 25K Fantasy selections Arthur Morris and Andrew Kelsall, high-stakes regular Danny Tang, and the ever-popular Allen Kessler. Kessler, whose quest for a first WSOP bracelet has been a long-standing narrative in poker, was once again deep in contention, fueling hopes among his devoted rail.

The initial elimination saw Karl Tretter depart, leaving six to battle. A brutal 2-7 Triple Draw cooler shortly thereafter saw Andrew Kelsall’s promising No. 2 on the second draw overturned by Mark Gregorich's wheel on the final draw, effectively crippling Kelsall’s stack. Stacey capitalized on this momentum, eliminating Arthur Morris, while Kelsall, unable to recover, eventually fell in fifth place.

The spotlight then turned to Allen Kessler, whose incredible comeback from less than one big bet earlier in the day positioned him for another shot at glory. However, his run was halted by Stacey in a game of 2-7 Triple Draw, ending Kessler's deep run and leaving the poker community still awaiting his elusive first bracelet. Stacey continued his dominance by dispatching Gregorich, setting up a heads-up clash with Danny Tang.

Tang, a formidable opponent with over $43 million in live tournament earnings and a reputation as a high-stakes mixed game specialist, presented a significant challenge. The heads-up battle began with nearly even chip stacks, hinting at a protracted duel. Yet, Stacey quickly asserted control, winning the early exchanges and never relinquishing his lead. Tang, despite his experience, could not mount a comeback, and Stacey swiftly closed out the match to claim his first WSOP bracelet.

For Patrick Stacey, this victory is more than just a bracelet and a significant cash prize; it's the ultimate vindication of his year-long gamble and dedication. He arrived in Las Vegas as a committed student of the game and departs as a World Series of Poker champion, proving that relentless study and strategic focus can indeed transform ambition into gold.