2023 Updates from Various WSOP Events
Day 15 of the 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) concluded with a dazzling display of poker skills as three players claimed their WSOP bracelets, including two giants in the world of poker, with another half dozen events unfolding throughout.
First Bracelet Claimed Early in the Day by Renji Mao
Event #26, an $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack, came to a swift conclusion. On June 12, with only Renji Mao and Matthew Elsby left in contention, the event began its third day. Within just twenty minutes of commencing, Mao was able to reverse a chip deficit, earning his spot in poker history with his first bracelet.
Shaun Deeb Secures Sixth WSOP Bracelet
Event #27, a $1,500 Eight Game Mix, attracted a total of 789 mixed game enthusiasts. Emerging victorious amongst this pool of pros was none other than the celebrated Shaun Deeb. Deeb triumphed over Aloisio Dourado in a thrilling heads-up match, securing his sixth WSOP bracelet along with a $198,854 grand prize. This victory further solidifies Deeb’s position as a mainstay of the poker world, demonstrating the significance of adaptability and proficiency in mixed game formats.
Second WSOP Triumph for Ben Lamb
In Event #25, the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship, Ben Lamb made a triumphant return. After a grueling competition against a fiercely competitive final table, Lamb claimed the victory. This win earned him a $492,795 payout and marked an end to his 12-year wait for a second WSOP bracelet. Lamb’s triumph after a 12-year interval serves as a reminder to aspiring poker players about the potential rewards of determination and consistent dedication to honing one’s skills.
Matthew Hunt Takes the Lead in $1,500 NLHE Freezeout
The focus is on British professional player and coach Matthew Hunt in Event #28, the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout. Hunt, with a chip count of 9,380,000, holds the lead among the remaining 17 players, each vying for the title and a lucrative $406,403 top prize.
Hunt maintains a significant chip lead over his competitors, including Benjamin Hector with 5,690,000 chips, his fellow countryman Dean Hutchison holding 4,000,000, and Germany’s Dietrich Fast trailing with 2,595,000.
Jans Arends in Pole Position on Final Day of High Roller Event
Jans “Graftekkel” Arends of the Netherlands takes the lead in Event #29: $100,000 High Roller, setting his sights on his second WSOP bracelet. With only five opponents left to face, Arends is on the brink of adding another victory to his name.
Among those standing between Arends and his second WSOP title include some of the most accomplished players in the field. Cary Katz, trailing Arends with 12,775,000 chips, is his closest competitor, while Biao Ding, occupying the third spot, has 8,800,000 chips.
Adrian Mateos, a four-time bracelet winner, holds in fourth position with 7,175,000 chips, followed by Jeremy Ausmus with 5,750,000. And although Chance Kornuth is the short stack with 4,600,000, his presence should not be underestimated.
Benny Glaser Leads as $1,500 2-7 Triple Draw Enters Third Day
Benny Glaser, a four-time bracelet winner, is in a strong position to clinch his fifth bracelet. He ended Day 2 of Event #30: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw holding the largest stack of 1,185,000, setting him up as the contender to beat.
Despite Glaser’s impressive performance, the race for the bracelet is far from over. Several formidable players are vying for the title, with John Monnette (1,155,000), Michael Rodrigues (1,100,000), and Patrick Leonard (1,090,000) each returning with substantial chip counts.
Other experienced players including Allen Kessler (900,000), Carol Fuchs (595,000), Ryan Hughes (275,000), and Tom Schneider (250,000) will undoubtedly bring their considerable expertise to the table, making the upcoming rounds all the more thrilling.
Massive Turnout for the $600 NLHE/PLO Mix Event
A staggering number of 2,758 players participated in Event #31: $600 No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack, however, only 122 players managed to stay in the game beyond the 22nd level.
Troy Nowlin stood out from the crowd, bagging the chip lead with a count of 2,200,000 by the end of Day 1.
Charlie Combes achieved a significant chip count of 1,405,000, placing him in the 11th spot for the following day. British player and two-time bracelet winner Barny Boatman also successfully advanced to Day 2 with 900,000 chips.
Other notable competitors include Ian O’Hara with 1,020,000 chips, Matthew Wantman holding 870,000, Irish Open champion Patrick Clarke at 675,000, Michael Moncek with 545,000, and Phillip Hui ending the day with 300,000 chips.
Chris Hunichen Tops the Field in $3,000 NLHE 6-Max Event
Chris “Big Huni” Hunichen concludes the first day of Event #32: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed) as the chip leader among the 57 remaining players. With an impressive 2,405,000 chips, Hunichen sets himself up as a strong contender.
The short-handed event drew in a host of seasoned professionals. Asher Conniff (2,170,000), Ian Matakis (1,560,000), Roman Hrabec (1,515,000), and Noah Schwartz (1,450,00) all secured a spot among the top ten stacks.
Several noteworthy players will also be returning for the next round, including Ben Diebold (1,035,000), Jareth East (975,000), Maria Ho (860,000), Eric Baldwin (795,000), Paul Volpe (765,000), Alex Foxen (750,000), and WSOP Main Event champions Martin Jacobson (465,000) and Ryan Riess (390,000).
Roy Thung Leads the Charge in $10,000 Razz Championship
Event #33: $10,000 Razz Championship attracted a field of 102 players, with 54 progressing to Day 2, although these numbers may increase as late registration remains open. High-stakes player Shaun Deeb is expected to join the event following his fifth bracelet victory.
While Roy Thung managed to secure the top spot with 303,000 chips, several esteemed players are hot on his heels. Scott Bohlman (271,000), Adam Owen (252,000), Bryce Yockey (244,500), Brian Yoon (241,500), Brad Ruben (214,000), and Dan Zack (203,000) will certainly offer stiff competition.
Lower down the overnight chip counts, several notable figures emerged, including Ben Yu (160,000), Dutch Boyd (137,000), Talal Shakerchi (136,500), John Hennigan (127,000), Brandon Shack-Harris (86,500), Anthony Zinno (83,000), Brian Rast (80,500), and Nick Schulman (77,000).
Day 16 of the 2023 WSOP presents the commencement of three new events
- Event #34: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha is expected to draw in a large crowd, adding to the anticipation and thrill.
- Event #35: $10,000 Secret Bounty, a new addition to the 2023 line-up, will surely be an attraction. In this event, $3,000 from each buy-in contributes to the bounty prize pool, creating an exciting dynamic for players and spectators alike.
- Fans of mixed game tournaments should keep an eye out for Event #36: $3,000 Nine Game Mix, which promises to offer an engaging mix of poker variants.
Alongside these new tournaments, several ongoing events continue to unfold. These include Event #28: $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout, Event #29: $100,000 High Roller, Event #30: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw, Event #31: $600 No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack, Event #32: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed), and Event #33: $10,000 Razz Championship.