The World Series of Poker (WSOP) never fails to deliver excitement and drama, and Day 19 of the 2024 series at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas was no exception. From a monstrous Monster Stack event to UFC announcer Bruce Buffer making waves in the $50k High Roller, the day was packed with memorable moments and intense competition. Here are the highlights from June 15, 2024.
The Monster Stack Grows More Monstrous
The $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em event continued to live up to its name, with another 4,004 players joining the fray on Day 1b. This brought the total entries to 6,363, pushing the prize pool to an impressive $8,194,230. With one more starting flight to go, the event is on track to surpass last year’s record of 8,317 entries.
Changfeng Fan emerged as the chip leader at the end of Day 1b, bagging an impressive stack of 1,403,500 chips. This puts him well ahead of the second-place Ryan Sullivan, who finished with 915,000 chips. Notable players like defending champion Braxton Dunaway, Faraz Jaka, Ana Marquez, and Kathy Liebert also secured their spots for Day 2.
UFC Announcer Bruce Buffer Chases $2 Million Prize in $50k High Roller
Bruce Buffer, known for his iconic voice in the UFC octagon, is making headlines in a different arena. Buffer is currently in the final 13 players of the $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em (8-handed) event, holding a respectable 1,365,000 chips. This event has seen a total of 134 entries so far, creating a prize pool of $6,398,500.
Buffer faces stiff competition, with poker luminaries like Viktor “Isildur1” Blom leading the pack with 9,670,000 chips. Other big names still in the hunt include Sergio Aido, Jonathan Jaffe, Martin Kabrhel, and defending champion Leon Sturm. The action resumes at 1 p.m. on June 16 and will be livestreamed on PokerGO, ensuring fans don’t miss a moment of the high-stakes action.
Scott Seiver Closes In on Second Bracelet of the Year
Scott Seiver is no stranger to WSOP success, and he is now within striking distance of his second bracelet of the year. Seiver leads the final 14 players in the $1,500 Razz event with 2,455,000 chips. Having already won the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship earlier in the series, Seiver is poised to add another accolade to his impressive poker resume.
His path to victory won’t be easy, as the remaining field includes tough competitors like Steven Abitbol, Ben Yu, Brandon Shack-Harris, and Maxx Coleman.
Inaugural Mixed Double-Board Bomb Pot Bracelet Event Begins
The first-ever $1,500 Mixed Double-Board Bomb Pot event saw an enthusiastic turnout, with 1,312 entries vying for a share of the $1,751,520 prize pool. After 15 levels of play, 167 players remain, with Dong Chen leading the way with 940,000 chips. Notable survivors include Shaun Deeb, Benny Glaser, Arthur Morris, and Martin Zamani.
The event promises to be a fascinating test of skill and strategy, as players navigate the complexities of double-board bomb pots. Day 2 kicks off at 12 p.m. on June 16, with the remaining field chasing a first-place prize of $270,820.
Andrew “A.J.” Kelsall Leads After Day 1 of Seven Card Stud Championship
The $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship drew 74 entries on its first day, with Andrew “A.J.” Kelsall finishing as the chip leader. Kelsall bagged 294,000 chips, putting him ahead of a talented field that includes Chad Eveslage, Yuri Dzivielevski, and defending champion Brian Yoon.
With late registration still open until the end of Level 11 on Day 2, the field and prize pool are expected to grow.
Day 19 in Numbers
- Event #36: $800 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack: Timur Margolin won his first bracelet, quickly dispatching the final table in just four hours.
- Event #37: $10,000 Big O Championship: John Fauver claimed his first bracelet and a $681,998 payday.
- Event #38: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em: Changfeng Fan leads the massive field into Day 2.
- Event #39: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em: Bruce Buffer sits in the final 13, with Viktor Blom leading.
- Event #40: $1,500 Razz: Scott Seiver heads into Day 3 as the chip leader.
- Event #41: $1,500 Mixed Double-Board Bomb Pot: Dong Chen tops the Day 1 chip counts.
Event #42: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship: Andrew Kelsall leads after Day 1.
What to Expect on Day 20
Day 20 of the WSOP promises more excitement, with two bracelet events set to crown new champions. Scott Seiver will continue his quest for a second bracelet in the $1,500 Razz event, while Bruce Buffer looks to make history in the $50,000 High Roller. The final starting flight of the $1,500 Monster Stack will also take place, with players hoping to secure their spots for Day 2.
Events #41 and #42 will continue, with players navigating the unique challenges of the Mixed Double-Board Bomb Pot and Seven Card Stud formats. Omaha enthusiasts can look forward to the start of Event #43, a mixed-format tournament featuring Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, and Big O (7-Handed).