The fifteenth day of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas brought an electric atmosphere, with thousands of poker enthusiasts witnessing some of the finest displays of skill and strategy. The $25,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em came to an exciting close, while the $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw event is down to the final 13 players. The intense competition is being showcased by the world’s elite poker players, each vying for a coveted WSOP bracelet.
Stephen Winters Becomes the Gladiator King
Day 15 saw Stephen Winters secure a memorable victory in Event #20: $300 Gladiators of Poker No Limit Hold’em. Winters navigated through a tough final day, during which the final 14 players had an average chip stack of under 18 blinds. Outlasting the final players from the starting field of 20,647 poker players, Winters captured the $401,210 top prize and his first WSOP gold bracelet. His journey to victory was a masterclass in strategic play and composure under pressure, marking a significant milestone in his poker career.
Schulman Wins His Fifth
Event #26: $25,000 High Roller No Limit Hold’em (8 Handed) came to an exciting conclusion with Nick Schulman securing his 5th WSOP bracelet (first bracelet in a non-mixed game) and biggest WSOP cash of his career. The field, which started with 318 of the best poker players in the world participants, took 12 hours to play, from the final 19 down to a winner. Schulman was the man to beat at the final table, knocking out 5 of his 7 opponents on his way to the $1,667,842 top prize.
Michael Christ Wins the $1,500 Big O
Event #27: $1,500 Big O saw the final 20 players, including 2003 WSOP Main Event runner up Sammy Farha, play down to a winner. Taking just 3 hours to get down to the final table, the tournament would take another 8.5 hours to finish up with chips flying back and forth. Eventually it was Michael Christ hitting a 4-outer for a full house and a scoop. The day was certainly memorable for Michael who earned his first World Series of Poker bracelet and $306,884 in the process.
Andres Gonzalez Leading After Day 2
After 13 hours of play, Event #28: $1,500 Freezeout No Limit Hold’em was down to 22 players from the starting field of 2,317. Spanish player Andres Gonzalez leads the final participants with over 7 million in chips (70 Big blinds) with a big jump down to second place, Nicolas Vayssieres who has just under 4.5 million. ‘The Poker Brat’ was knocked out in 48th place and will have to wait on his 18th WSOP bracelet. Another big name, Nick Maimone, is still in the hunt for his 1st bracelet and currently sits 8th in chips. Nicholas Verderamo will start the final day as the short stack with just 7 big blinds.
Benny Glaser Still In The Hunt For Back-to-Back Titles
Event #29: $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship began with 149 total entrants and was whittled down to 13 at the end of Day 2. Danny Wong leads the pack, but the competition is fierce, with seasoned pros like Jason Mercier (2nd) and Phil Ivey (5th) in close pursuit. Reigning champion Benny Glaser, aiming for consecutive victories, sits in 3rd and is poised to make a significant move. Glaser’s pursuit of back-to-back titles adds an exciting layer of intrigue to an already captivating event.
Negreanu Still In The Hunt
Day 1 of Event #30: $600 Mixed No Limit Hold’em & Pot Limit Omaha Deepstack played to a conclusion. A total of 3,351 players paid their entry into the event and 145 remain in the hunt for the bracelet and $207,064 top prize. Sitting atop the chip counts as players ready themselves for an exciting Day 2 is Canadian player Stephen Scuderi with 2,735,000 chips, well ahead of 2nd place Tony Diehl with 2,030,000. The most famous Canadian poker player, Daniel Negreanu, is sitting comfortably in 28th with 960,000 as he remains in the hunt for his 7th bracelet and his first in Las Vegas since he won Event #20: $2,000 Limit Hold’em in 2008.
Jake Ripnick Leads 6-Handed Event
The second tournament to finish Day 1 was Event #31: $3,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed. Leading the pack is American Jake Ripnick who, according the the WSOP website, has never cashed in the WSOP event. With just 61 players remaining from the initial 1,230 player field, the action is sure to be fast and exciting. And while Ripnick works on winning a first bracelet, other well known pros are still in the mix including Daniel Palau, Jonathan Little, and Game of Gold winner Maria Ho.
Matusow and Brunson Still In The Game
The last tournament to finish Day 1 was Event #32: $1,500 Seven Card Stud. American poker player Burke Delange, who has cashed seven times at WSOP events but has not won a bracelet or ring, leads the pack heading into day 2. The starting field of 406 players was down to 107 at the end of the first day of play, with Delange holding 312,000 chips for a healthy lead over Jeffrey Lo, who had 267,000 chips. Still battling it out with a chance to win are two old school legends, Mike Mausow and Todd Brunson.
What to Expect on Day 16
Day 16 of the 2024 WSOP promises more electrifying action with four events set to crown their champions:
- Event #28: $1,500 Freezeout No Limit Hold’em will conclude, determining the winner of the $412,484 top prize and the bracelet.
- Event #29: $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship will also award its bracelet and the grand $347,440 top prize.
- Event #30: $600 Mixed No Limit Hold’em & Pot Limit Omaha Deepstack will wrap up, with players competing for the title and $207,064.
- Event #31: $3,000 No Limit Hold’em 6-Handed will finish up with the winner earning $516,135 for a few days work.
Additionally, Day 2 of Event #32: $1,500 Seven Card Stud will play out, with intense battles expected throughout the day.
June 12th will also see three new events kick off:
- Event #33: $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack (8-Handed) starts at 10:00 a.m.
- Event #34: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout begins at 12:00 p.m.
- Event #35: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. gets underway at 2:00 p.m.
Day 15 of the 2024 WSOP showcased the pinnacle of poker prowess, with elite players battling in high-stakes events. From Stephen Winters win in the $300 Gladiators of Poker No Limit Hold’em to the star-studded $10,000 Limit 2-7 Triple Draw Championship, the day was packed with excitement. As Day 16 unfolds, the intensity and anticipation continue to rise. The WSOP remains the ultimate stage for poker, delivering unforgettable moments and daily doses of drama and triumph.