The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been nothing short of thrilling, with each day bringing a new wave of excitement and triumphs. Day 9, June 5, was no exception. Despite being a relatively quiet day in terms of bracelets awarded, it was packed with action across seven different events, making it one of the busiest days yet. Let’s dive into the highlights and standout moments from this memorable day at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Spasov Secures Second Bracelet in $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
The spotlight shone brightly on Simeon Spasov, who emerged victorious in Event #12: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em. From a starting field of 2,526 players, 17 made it to the final day. Spasov, with remarkable skill and determination, outlasted them all. His triumph earned him his second WSOP bracelet and a substantial cash prize of $439,815, marking his second-largest career win.
Spasov’s journey to victory was anything but straightforward. He faced formidable opponents, including John Henry Gordon, whom he defeated in an intense heads-up battle. This victory adds to Spasov’s impressive resume, following his 2022 win in the WSOP $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em Event for $527,944. It’s worth noting that many in the poker community regard winning a 6-max event as a more challenging feat, given the sheer talent that competes in such tournaments.
$10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship: An Unscheduled Fourth Day
Event #10: $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship brought its own set of surprises. The event, initially slated to conclude on June 5, required an unscheduled fourth day due to the intense competition. As the clock approached 1:00 a.m., tournament staff decided to halt play with three players remaining: Robert Mizrachi, Michael Martinelli, and Ryutaro Suzuki. The trio will return on June 6 to battle it out for the bracelet and the $333,045 top prize.
The day began with high hopes for poker legends Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey, both of whom were vying for a spot at the final table. However, their dreams were dashed as they exited in 10th and 11th places, respectively. The remaining contenders, including Max Kruse, Venkata Tayi, and three-time bracelet winner David Bach, also fell short, setting the stage for an exciting Day 4 showdown.
$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better: Furth Takes the Lead
Event #15: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better saw 1,277 players whittled down to just 14 by the end of Day 2. Leading the pack into Day 3 is Caleb Furth, who amassed an impressive stack of 7,450,000 chips. Furth’s experience in PLO and mixed events gives him a significant advantage, but he faces stiff competition from other skilled players like Andrew Paterson and Walter Chambers.
Notably, bracelet winners Tom Koral, Sean Troha, and Jason Daly are still in the running, along with online poker star Mike Holtz, who currently sits eighth in chips. With a $265,361 top prize at stake, the final day promises to be a thrilling contest of strategy and endurance.
$5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em: Big Stacks and Bracelet Holders
Event #16: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em attracted 823 entries, creating a prize pool of $3,785,800. By the end of Day 2, only 41 players remained, many of whom are no strangers to WSOP success. Shant Marashlian leads the field with 2,785,000 chips, closely followed by Anthony Cierco and Mark Tarich.
Among the notable names advancing to Day 3 are poker veterans Brian Rast, Corey Thompson, Sam Soverel, and ten-time bracelet winner Erik Seidel. Although Seidel is among the shorter stacks, his experience and resilience make him a formidable opponent. The plan for Day 3 is to reduce the field to just five players, setting the stage for a dramatic conclusion.
$800 No-Limit Hold’em DeepStack: Massive Turnout and Chip Leads
Low buy-in events like Event #17: $800 No-Limit Hold’em DeepStack are always crowd-pleasers, and this year was no different. An impressive 4,732 players entered the fray, with 310 surviving to Day 2. Leading the charge is James Calderaro, who bagged 2,440,000 chips by the end of Day 1. Min Zhang follows closely with 2,075,000 chips, while other notable players, including Shaun Deeb, remain in contention.
$1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha: Dentale Dominates Day 1
Event #18: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) saw 1,469 entrants, with 161 advancing to Day 2. Mike Dentale finished Day 1 as the clear chip leader, amassing 1,230,000 chips, equivalent to 205 big blinds. Hot on his heels is Daniel Zack with 953,000 chips.
The field is packed with poker luminaries such as Chino Rheem, Phil Ivey, and Jeff Madsen, making this among the most competitive events of the series. As the players return for Day 2, all eyes will be on Dentale to see if he can maintain his lead and secure the title.
$10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship: Helppi Leads the Pack
Event #19: $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship attracted 104 entrants, all established poker professionals. Leading the way into Day 2 is Finland’s Juha Helppi, a two-time bracelet winner known for his strategic prowess. Helppi finished Day 1 with 254,000 chips, followed closely by Max Hoffman and Michael Lang.
The field is a who’s who of the poker world, featuring names like David “ODB” Baker, Maria Ho, Josh Arieh, and Dan Shak. With such a star-studded lineup, Day 2 is set to be a thrilling display of high-stakes poker action.
Poker Hall of Fame Vote: Who Will Be the Next Inductee?
As the 2024 WSOP progresses, the poker community eagerly anticipates the announcement of the next Poker Hall of Fame inductee. Nominations are open to the public on the WSOP.com site, and the criteria remain stringent:
- A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition
- Played for high stakes
- Be at least 40 years old at the time of nomination
- Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers
- Stood the test of time
For non-players, significant contributions to the overall growth and success of poker are considered. Last year, Brian Rast was inducted, and the competition is fierce once again, with nominees like Josh Arieh, Jeremy Ausmus, and Kathy Liebert in the mix.
WSOP Circuit Kicks Off in Estonia
Beyond Las Vegas, the WSOP Circuit is making waves in Estonia. The WSOP Circuit Tallinn, set to take place from July 19 to July 28, will feature a €1 million guaranteed main event and 12 ring events. Hosted at the Olympic Park Casino and the Hilton Hotel, this event promises to be a significant milestone for European poker enthusiasts. Winners of the ring events will earn a coveted WSOP gold ring and entry into the 2025 WSOP Tournament of Champions.
What’s Next at the 2024 WSOP?
Looking ahead, the next few days at the WSOP promise even more excitement. Event #15: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better will crown its champion after three days of intense action. The $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship will finally conclude with its unscheduled fourth day, and Event #16: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em will play down to five players.
Additionally, new events are on the horizon, including Event #20: $300 Gladiators of Poker No-Limit Hold’em, Event #21: $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (6-Handed), and Event #22: $1,500 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw (6-Handed). With such a diverse lineup, the WSOP continues to captivate players and fans alike.