WSOP in Bahamas, Ivey at Triton London, Gonzalez’s Yacht Burns
The fervor in the poker arena remains at an all-time high. As 2023 progresses, several events have captured the community’s attention. From the World Series of Poker’s (WSOP) debut in the Bahamas to Phil Ivey’s double-win streak in London and unexpected drama on the high seas, it’s been a whirlwind of excitement for both players and fans alike.
Gonzalez’s Luxury Yacht Disaster: The Sea’s Fiery Twist
While poker is known for its high-stakes drama at the tables, off the table, the world witnessed a real-life drama unfold in the Mediterranean. A luxurious 88-foot yacht owned by Spanish poker pro Diego Gomez Gonzalez caught on fire off the coast of the island of Formentera.
Eyewitnesses captured the harrowing moments when the yacht was consumed by flames. The incident raised alarm bells as 17 people were on board — five crew members and 12 passengers. Fortunately, all escaped the fiery ordeal with only one crew member requiring medical attention for minor burns.
While it’s uncertain if Gonzalez, who boasts nearly $500,000 in live tournament cashes, was on the vessel at the time, the boat’s frequent charters have led many to believe he might not have been on board. Regardless, the shocking event served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of life, even in the world of luxury.
WSOP Takes Over Paradise: A New Chapter Begins in the Bahamas
For the first time, the Bahamas will host a World Series of Poker (WSOP) series, promising a Paradise for poker enthusiasts. Kicking off on December 3 at the renowned Atlantis Paradise Island, previously home to a different tournament, the event will run until December 14, enveloping attendees in its tropical allure.
Event Breakdown
The series will consist of 15 bracelet events, providing something for everyone, whether you’re a high roller, a mid-stakes player, or even a low roller. The majority of these events, precisely 12, are of the No Limit Hold’em variety, while the remaining three shine a spotlight on Pot Limit Omaha tournaments.
WSOP Paradise Schedule Highlights
Without much ado, the series will dive into action with a $1,500 buy-in Mystery Millions tournament, boasting an enticing guaranteed prize pool of $5,000,000. Immediately following, on December 4, another No Limit Hold’em event titled the “$1,500 Millionaire Maker” presents a similar guaranteed prize pool.
In collaboration with GGPoker, the series will showcase trademark events such as the $25,000 GGMillion$ High Rollers Championship, which promises a $10 million guarantee. Another notable event sponsored by GGPoker is the $800 Flip & Go, slated for December 12.
The crowning glory of the series is undoubtedly the Main Event, with its $5,000 buy-in tag and a pot guaranteeing a massive $15,000,000 prize pool.
World Series of Poker Paradise Bracelet Events |
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EVENT |
START DATE |
BUY-IN |
GUARANTEE |
| Event #1: Mystery Millions | December 03 | $1,500 | $5,000,000 |
| Event #2: Millionaire Maker in Paradise | December 04 | $1,500 | $5,000,000 |
| Event #3: GGMillion$ High Rollers Championship | December 05 | $25,000 | $10,000,000 |
| Event #4: Mini Main Event | December 05 | $1,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #5: High Roller Pot Limit Omaha | December 07 | $25,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Event #6: No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed | December 07 | $3,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #7: Super High Roller | December 08 | $50,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Event #8: Mystery Bounty Pot Limit Omaha | December 08 | $2,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #9: Ultra High Roller | December 09 | $100,000 | $5,000,000 |
| Event #10: MAIN EVENT CHAMPIONSHIP | December 09 | $5,000 | $15,000,000 |
| Event #11: Flip & Go | December 12 | $800 | — |
| Event #12: No Limit Hold’em Freezeout (Online) | December 13 | $1,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #13: Pot Limit Omaha Championship | December 13 | $10,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #14: The Closer – Turbo Bounty | December 13 | $2,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Event #15: High Roller 6-Handed | December 14 | $10,000 | $1,000,000 |
Ivey’s Double Delight at Triton Poker London Series
Shifting focus to the UK, the Triton Poker London Series concluded with fireworks, as Phil Ivey, one of the game’s legends, walked away with his second win for the series. This victory came from the $25,000 Short Deck Ante, swelling his coffers by another $280,500.
However, Ivey wasn’t the only star lighting up the London skyline. Jason Koon, another name synonymous with poker excellence, wrapped up the series with two formidable victories. His achievements included emerging as the champion in the $60,000 Short Deck, pocketing a cool $828,000. Furthermore, Koon, a GGPoker ambassador, claimed the title in the $60,000 No Limit Hold’em 7-Handed event, enriching his wallet by $1,570,000.
Earlier during the series, Ivey was already in the spotlight, having secured $1,007,000 for his mastery in the $60,000 No Limit Hold’em Turbo. With these accomplishments, he concluded the series holding his fifth career Triton title for a short deck event.
Despite not having the chip lead as he approached the final table, Ivey’s prowess was evident. He held 75 antes, placing him in a strong second. The tournament, having attracted 31 entrants, crafted a prize pool worth $825,000. The final table of six witnessed intense action, leading up to a showdown between the last men standing – Ivey and Tang. With a 7-1 chip advantage, Ivey swiftly dispatched his final adversary, claiming the top prize.
2023 Triton Poker London Results |
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| EVENT | ENTRANTS | WINNER | PRIZE |
| $25K NLH GGMillion$ | 162 | Luc Greenwood | $897,000 |
| $25K NLH 7-Handed | 120 | Fedor Holz | $609,853 |
| $40K NLH Mystery Bounty | 133 | Espen Jorstad | $639,000 |
| $50K NLH 8-Handed | 112 | Ole Schemion | $1,350,000 |
| $25K NLH 7-Handed | 104 | Jason Koon | $1,570,000 |
| $200K NLH 8-Handed | 81 | David Yan | $3,052,000 |
| $30K NLH Turbo Bounty | 86 | Pedro Garagnani | $459,000 |
| $250 NLH Luxon Invitational | 118 | Bryn Kenney | $6,860,000 |
| $25K Pot Limit Omaha | 77 | Seth Gottlieb | $511,000 |
| $60K NLH Turbo | 61 | Phil Ivey | $1,007,000 |
| $125K NLH Main Event | 61 | Timothy Adams | $4,185,000 |
| $30K Short Deck Ante-Only | 37 | Wai Kin Yong | $350,000 |
| $60K Short Deck | 46 | Jason Koon | $828,000 |
| $25K Short Deck Ante | 33 | Phil Ivey | $280,500 |
Ivey’s storied career in poker speaks for itself, with over $40.7 million in lifetime live tournament winnings. His accomplishments span across every major poker series, from WSOP to Triton, and his dominance has been felt for over two decades.
In Retrospect
From the shocking maritime disaster involving a poker pro’s luxury yacht to the exhilarating games in both London and the Bahamas, 2023 has been a year of highs and lows. The world of poker continues to surprise and captivate, proving that both on and off the table, the game remains ever unpredictable.