June 9 marked the 13th day of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP), and though it was relatively quiet compared to other days, it was filled with noteworthy events and thrilling comebacks. The poker tables at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas were buzzing with excitement, showcasing the unpredictable nature of this game.
Dan Sepiol’s Unbelievable Comeback in the $1,500 Shootout
One of the most remarkable stories of the day was Dan Sepiol’s stunning comeback in Event #23: $1,500 Shootout No-Limit Hold’em. Sepiol entered the heads-up battle against Robert Natividad trailing 17-to-1 in chips, a situation that seemed nearly impossible to overturn. However, defying the odds, Sepiol clawed his way back to secure the victory and the $305,849 top prize. This win also marked Sepiol’s first WSOP bracelet, cementing his place in poker history with one of the greatest comebacks the series has ever seen.
Sean Troha’s Third Bracelet in Three Years
Another highlight was Sean Troha’s victory in Event #24: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. Troha, who won this event in 2022 and took down the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha event in 2023, secured his third WSOP bracelet in three years. This Ohio native’s consistent performance is nothing short of impressive, and his back-to-back wins in this particular event underscore his dominance in Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo.
Gladiators of Poker: Rafael Reis Leads a Field of 754
Event #30: $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em saw its final flight, Day 1d, with 5,388 players starting and 272 advancing to Day 2. This brought the total number of players moving forward to 754. Rafael Reis, a bracelet winner, bagged 2,000,000 chips, positioning him in the top 35 when play resumes. The remaining players are set to battle it out across 17 levels starting at 11:00 a.m. on June 10.
Roland Israelashvili’s Pursuit of His First Bracelet
Roland Israelashvili, a name synonymous with perseverance, found himself in the final ten of Event #25: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold’em. Despite more than 500 in-the-money finishes at WSOP events, Israelashvili has yet to win a bracelet. Armed with 875,000 chips, or 11 big bets, he sits in fifth place. Daniel Vampan leads the pack with 2,470,000 chips, but as Sepiol’s earlier victory taught us, nothing is impossible at the poker tables.
Samuel Laskowitz Dominates Day 1 of the $25K High Roller
Samuel Laskowitz finished Day 1 of Event #26: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em with a tournament-leading 1,211,000 chips. This event drew 274 entrants, with 99 progressing to Day 2. Notable names in the top 10 include Chino Rheem, Noel Rodriguez, and Dario Sammartino. With late registration open until the end of the first level on June 10, the competition is sure to be fierce.
Sammy Farha Tops the $1,500 Big O
Legendary player Sammy Farha, known for his three WSOP bracelets, bagged the most chips in Event #27: $1,500 Big O. Farha ended the day with 590,000 chips, leading a field reduced from 1,555 to 232 players. Farha’s prowess in Omaha and Omaha Hi-Lo events makes him a formidable contender for the title. Other top players advancing include Scott Bohlman, Mehmet Cetinkaya, and reigning champion Scott Abrams.
What to Expect on Day 14
Day 14 of the 2024 WSOP promises to be action-packed with several key events:
- Event #20: $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em: The remaining players from the four flights will combine for the first time, starting at 11:00 a.m. and battling through 17 levels.
- Event #25: $3,000 6-Handed Limit Hold’em: The final showdown to determine the winner of the $148,635 top prize will take place. With four players named Daniel among the final contenders, it’s anyone’s game, but all eyes are on Roland Israelashvili.
- Event #26: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (8-Handed): Day 2 kicks off with late registration open, and the plan is to play ten 60-minute levels. High rollers like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu are still in the mix.
- Event #27: $1,500 Big O: The tournament will play another ten levels starting at 1:00 p.m., aiming to get down to the final table.
Two new events will also begin:
- Event #28: $1,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em: This event starts at 10:00 a.m. and is expected to be a fast-paced, exciting tournament. Last year’s champion Benjamin Ector turned $1,500 into $406,403, and the structure remains equally challenging this year.
- Event #29: $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship: Kicking off at 2:00 p.m., this event will see reigning champion Benny Glaser aiming for back-to-back victories and his sixth WSOP bracelet.