Sweden's Rifat Palevic Binks WSOP $1K Super Turbo Bounty for $183,903

(Photo: WSOP.com)

The field of 1,868 players were getting knocked out quickly under 20-minute blind levels in Event #39, a $1,000 Super Turbo Bounty that concluded in 15 hours and saw Rifat Palevic earn his first gold bracelet and $183,903 in prize money.

Palevic had been a no show in Las Vegas for almost the last decade, the devoted family man staying close to his home in Bunkeflostrand, Sweden to raise a daughter. That young lady is now almost a teenager and Palevic felt the time was right to once again travel stateside for the annual summer poker series.

A fine decision that was, as the Swede's lifetime earnings surpassed the $1 million mark with the victory, not to mention the $300 bounties he scooped along the way to becoming a WSOP champion.

"It was a perfect mix," Palevic told WSOP.com regarding the structure of the event that included a 5,000-chip starting stack and the bounties. "I'm very happy to get a bracelet."

(Photo: WSOP.com)

Quick Pace

The final table was created in about 13 hours and Palevic held the shortest stack among the remaining nine. That short-stacked status didn't last long as the Swede doubled up several times to gain momentum.

Just 54 hands after the final table was set, Palevic emerged victorious. Crucial hands included the champ eliminating George Dolofan in 8th place while holding big slick. That KO came shortly after crippling Dolofan by hitting a flush on the river to annihilate his opponent's pocket queens.

Another turning point in the match occurred when Palevic's pocket kings dominated third place finisher Dean Blatt's pocket fours. Blatt had to settle for $82,227 in prize money after getting KO'd just one hand later.

(Photo: Seminolehardrockpokeropen.com)

No Deal

Heads-up action saw Ryan Olisar hold a 2-1 chip advantage over the Swede. Palevic mentioned a possible chop but Olisar wasn't interested.

Eight hands later and holding pocket kings, Palevic tasted WSOP victory for the first time to the backdrop of a rowdy rail.

'It gave me a lot of energy," Palevic said of his supportive cheering section. "I'm not used to having a crowd. I'm very thankful to the guys who came over to rail me."

(Photo: Cardplayer.com)

Event #39 - $1,000 NLHE Super Turbo Bounty - Final Table Results (excluding bounties)