2023 Updates from Various WSOP Events
Jerry Wong Seizes Maiden WSOP Bracelet in $10K Razz Championship
At the end of Event #33: $10,000 Razz Championship, which took an extra day of play to complete, the victor was none other than Jerry Wong, who pocketed a $298,682 first-place prize along with his inaugural WSOP gold bracelet. Wong, an eighth-place finisher in the 2016 WSOP Main Event, had been a consistent contender in the series, making appearances at 11 previous WSOP final tables, including securing second place twice in the last two years, third in 2019, and fourth twice in the preceding years.
Chris Klodnicki Snags Second Bracelet in $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Secret Bounty Event
A rollercoaster ride of fortunes marked Chris Klodnicki’s path to victory in Event #35: $10,000 No Limit Hold’em Secret Bounty, culminating in his acquisition of a second bracelet. This achievement swelled his already substantial WSOP earnings by an additional $733,317. Notably, Klodnicki maneuvered his way through an elite field of 568 participants, which included a high-stakes final table with multiple seven-figure earners and three other bracelet holders, among them Jeremy Ausmus and Barak Wisbrod.
Ryutaro Suzuki Ascends as Japan’s Mixed-Game Champion in $3,000 Nine Game Mix Event
Event #36: $1,500 Nine Game Mix, saw 361 players compete for a first-place prize of $221,124 from a total prize pool of $963,870. Ryutaro Suzuki, age 22, is Japan’s seventh WSOP bracelet winner. Suzuki outplayed Walter Chambers in a quick-fire heads-up match, which concluded a compelling final table. This triumph builds on Suzuki’s prior successes, which include a 2021 online Circuit ring win for $140,050 and a commendable 69th place finish in the Eight Game Mix, held a week prior, for just over $3,000.
Sean Troha Solidifies His Standing in $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Event
Event #34: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha, saw Sean Troha outlast the competition, clinching his second WSOP gold bracelet after three exciting days of play. As the game entered its third day, with ten players vying for the top spot, it was Troha who emerged victorious, walking away with the $298,192 first-place prize. This win follows his triumph in the 2022 Event #69: $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship. Troha acknowledged the caliber of his competition, despite his increasing confidence and dedication to improving his game.
“Suited_h13” Triumphs in Online Event #6: $500 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo
The player known as “suited_h13” emerged victorious in the day’s first event, Online Event #6: $500 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo. From a strong field of 1,203 competitors, one ultimate champion emerged in just over six hours, walking away with a notable $134,527.
Chris Brewer’s Unprecedented Victory in $250,000 Super High Roller
In the most significant earning of the series to date, Chris Brewer seized a monumental $5,293,556. Brewer triumphed in the $250,000 Super High Roller Texas Hold’em tournament, clinching his first-ever bracelet, and blocking Artur Martirosian from acquiring his inaugural poker title. With this success, Brewer’s total live poker tournament earnings now exceed $15 million.
Joe Serock Secures Bracelet in $500 PLO 6-Handed Online Event
The second online event of the day, the $500 PLO 6-Handed, resulted in Joe Serock clinching the third bracelet. Serock outpaced 601 competitors, including Millard Hale in the final heads-up match, to claim his first WSOP championship, along with $93,911 in prize money.
Johnny Chan Eyes Eleventh Bracelet in $1,500 Big O Event
Poker legend Johnny Chan holds the potential to become only the second player ever to secure more than ten bracelets, as he remains in contention in Event #41: $1,500 Big O, with only 18 players left. Chan, a ten-time WSOP bracelet winner and two-time WSOP Main Event champion, has not expanded his bracelet collection since 2005. However, strong competitors with serious poker skills, such as Victor Ramdin, Bjorn Verbakel, Adam Owen, Robert Williamson III, and Owais Ahmed stand in his path.
Dan Cates Launches PPC Title Defense; Phil Ivey Bags Prominent Stack
Seventy-three players, including reigning champion Dan Cates and poker celebrity Phil Ivey, took part in Event #43: $50,000 Poker Players Championship. Despite an early struggle, Cates, dressed as The Terminator, managed to secure a stack of 305,000 for the next day. Meanwhile, Ivey accumulated a substantial stack of 944,500 chips, surpassed only by Josh Arieh’s 1,088,000.
As the night ended for these classic games, fifty-four poker players remained, featuring renowned names like James Obst, John Monnette, Viktor Blom, Jeremy Ausmus, Bryce Yockey, Elior Sion, David Williams, and Matthew Ashton. The competition resumes on June 19, with late registration still open for the initial three levels.
David Vedral Leads Day 3 of the Monster Stack
Event #39: $1,500 Monster Stack is down to 389 players out of the initial 8,317 entries, with David Vedral at the helm, wielding a 4,350,000 chip stack. Eight out of the top ten contestants: Ahmed Karrim, Rayane Bouibeb, Raj Vohra, Robert Bickley, Frederic Normand, Jesse Yaginuma, and Koveh Waysei, each hold more than three million chips. Renowned players like David Jackson, Kyle Julius, Nate Silver, Barry Greenstein, and Joe Cada are still in the fray.
Chino Rheem Tops the Ranks in $800 NLHE Deepstack
Chino Rheem leads the pack in Event #42: $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack, which attracted a record-breaking 3,778 entries. With 238 players remaining after 22 levels, Rheem boasts the largest stack at 2,450,000. Following closely are Pat Lyons and Paul Grande, along with notable names like Antoine Saout, 2021 WSOP Main Event champion Koray Aldemir, Joe Kuether, Dylan Linde, Martin Finger, and David Pham.
Anticipations for Day 21 of the 2023 WSOP
Two fresh tournaments are set to commence on Day 21 of the 2023 WSOP: Event #45: $1,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better and Event #44: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em. Meanwhile, the $1,500 Monster Stack is expected to inch closer to its final table, with the $1,500 Big O slated to award its bracelet. Additionally, the $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack (8-Handed) aims to identify its victor, while the high-stakes $50,000 Poker Players Championship continues.