The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is in full swing, and Day 21 was nothing short of spectacular. The bustling atmosphere at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas was palpable as players vied for poker glory. This day might have been quieter in terms of event count, but it was rich with thrilling moments and high-stakes drama.
Hellmuth Chases His 18th Bracelet
Phil Hellmuth, the “Poker Brat” himself, is within striking distance of his 18th WSOP bracelet. In Event #43: $1,500 Mixed Omaha, Hellmuth finished the day with a top-six chip stack, holding 1,285,000 chips, just over half a million chips behind the event leader, Ying Chu. The competition is fierce, with 22 players remaining, including notable names like Shaun Deeb and Nathan Gamble. Can Hellmuth add another piece of poker hardware to his collection? The anticipation is building as fans and players alike wait to see if he can seal the deal.
James Obst Secures His Second Bracelet
Australia’s James Obst made headlines by winning his second WSOP bracelet in Event #42: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship. Obst faced off against Paul Volpe in a tense heads-up battle, ultimately claiming the top prize of $260,658. This victory marks Obst’s return to the WSOP winner’s circle after a seven-year hiatus since his first bracelet win. His triumph is a testament to his resilience and skill in the ever-evolving world of poker.
Xixiang Luo Triumphs in Double Board Bomb Pot
Event #41 introduced a new twist to the WSOP schedule with the No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot. China’s Xixiang Luo emerged victorious after an intense final day that saw 16 players compete for the title. Luo’s heads-up opponent was Daniel Hachem, son of the 2005 Main Event champion Joe Hachem. Despite a valiant effort, Hachem fell short, and Luo claimed the bracelet and $270,820 in prize money. The thrilling conclusion showcased the dynamic nature of poker and the endless possibilities it offers.
Vinicius Lima Leads the Monster Stack
In Event #38: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold’em, Vinicius Lima bagged the most chips at the end of Day 2. With 3,700,000 chips, Lima leads a field that started with 8,700 entries, now whittled down to 414 players. Lima, who has over $1 million in live poker earnings, stands poised to double his career winnings if he can maintain his momentum. The Monster Stack event, with its massive prize pool of over $11.6 million, promises an exciting road ahead for the remaining players.
Player of the Year Race Heats Up
The WSOP Player of the Year (POY) race is always a hot topic, and 2024 is no exception. This year’s race is particularly interesting due to a new scoring system that rewards quality over quantity. Points are awarded based on the top five results rather than total events played, making each performance crucial.
Scott Seiver is currently leading the pack with 2,566.73 points, thanks to his impressive feat of winning two bracelets. The new system means Seiver might not need to grind out the rest of the series to secure the POY title. However, with high-stakes events like the $100,000 Super High Roller and the $250,000 Super High Roller still on the horizon, the race is far from over.
The Top Contenders
Here’s a quick look at the top ten in the POY standings:
| Position | Player | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scott Seiver | 2,566.73 |
| 2 | Nick Schulman | 1,890.12 |
| 3 | Phil Ivey | 1,755.26 |
| 4 | John Racener | 1,655.68 |
| 5 | Sean Troha | 1,646.44 |
| 6 | Dylan Weisman | 1,575.39 |
| 7 | Shaun Deeb | 1,561.73 |
| 8 | Malcolm Trayner | 1,530.24 |
| 9 | Daniel Sepiol | 1,515.05 |
| 10 | Calvin Anderson | 1,489.37 |
The New Scoring System
The change in the POY scoring system has stirred quite a bit of discussion in the poker community. The focus on quality over quantity means that players need to bring their A-game to fewer events. For instance, last year, Chris Brewer would have won the POY title under the new system with 3,166 points. This year, Seiver’s 2,566 points put him in a strong position, but he still needs another significant finish to secure the title.
Upcoming High-Stakes Events
Two major events could shake up the POY standings: the $100,000 Super High Roller and the $250,000 Super High Roller. These events attract the crème de la crème of the poker world and offer substantial POY points due to their high buy-ins and small fields. A strong finish in either of these events could propel any of the top contenders into the lead.