WSOP Event #47: Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed

Event #47 of the 2021 WSOP is the $5,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em 8-Handed. It’s a new event for the 2021 series, getting underway at 3 pm on Sunday, October 24. It’s one of only 13 freezeout-style tourneys on the WSOP’s slate, a count that includes November’s $10,000 Main Event. 

A field of 421 players entered the $5,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em. That created a prize pool of $1,941,863, with a first-place allocation of $428,694. Because of the freezeout format, players didn't have an option to rebuy. That meant if luck or skill weren't on their side, even the deepest of pockets couldn't come to their rescue.

On the final day of play, only a handful of players were left standing. Alexandre Reard put them all in his rearview in less than two hours, scoring both a WSOP bracelet and the top prize of $428,692.

“I was seeing my wife and all my friends crying and exulting on the rail,” Reard said of his win. “It was such a sincere and strong moment. I really wanted and needed that bracelet. It is not an outcome but more a beautiful step in my career, and I hope for many more.”

Reard’s cheering section was massive, which is an impressive feat, since many of his supporters were part of his French poker community. They managed to get to Vegas to support the player at a time when U.S. borders are still closed to the Schengen area.

“It’s been a while now that the French poker community is growing and getting stronger. Today the victory is mine but I have no doubts there will be more to come very soon," Reard said. "We all come here to live that kind of moments and experience those feelings."

Player Daniel Strelitz came away with $264,953 for second place.

With its $5,000 buy-in, this three-day event featured a high percentage of big-name pros and bracelet hunters. Because of the likelihood of a high-powered, big-name final table, this event is one of 26 final tables that was streamed online by PokerGO.

Read about the 2021 WSOP Event #47 winner here.