The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been nothing short of exhilarating. Day 28 was particularly eventful, packed with intense action and remarkable performances. While no bracelets were awarded, the day was brimming with suspense as players vied for dominance in some of the most prestigious events on the WSOP calendar. Among these, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC) and the $1,500 Millionaire Maker stood out, not just for the high stakes but for the star-studded fields they attracted.
The $50,000 Poker Players Championship: Negreanu Shines Among Titans
In the $50,000 PPC, James Obst has been the man to beat. Obst, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner, built on his Day 1 lead to finish Day 2 with a commanding 1,961,000 chips. Jeremy Ausmus, with six bracelets under his belt, is hot on Obst’s heels with 1,839,000 chips, promising a thrilling Day 3.
The spotlight, however, is on Daniel Negreanu, who continues to impress with his stellar performance. The six-time bracelet winner has shown exceptional skill and determination, finishing Day 2 with 1,341,000 chips. Negreanu is on a mission to add another bracelet to his illustrious career, his last bracelet won in 2013. His current run demonstrates his enduring prowess and strategic mastery at the tables, making him a formidable contender in this star-studded event.
Michael Mizrachi, another big name in poker, is in contention with 1,329,000 chips, aiming for his fourth PPC title. Other notable players like Phil Ivey, Philip Hui, and Stephen Chidwick are still in the mix, ensuring that the road to victory will be fiercely contested.
Millionaire Maker: The Quest for a Million
The $1,500 Millionaire Maker event saw nearly 11,000 entries, with only 315 players advancing to Day 4. The winner of this event will take home a cool $1,250,125, making it one of the most coveted titles at the WSOP. Canada’s Sebastien Sigouin leads the pack with 2,615,000 chips, closely followed by Connor Rash and Jeremy Surinach, both with 2,550,000 chips.
Timur Margolin, fresh off his third bracelet win, is in fifth place with 2,320,000 chips. Margolin’s impressive run in this event could see him add another million-dollar payday to his resume. Other prominent names like Chris Moorman, Ankit Ahuja, and Martin Jacobson are also vying for a piece of the massive prize pool.
Super Seniors and Other Highlights
Day 1 of the $1,000 Super Seniors event saw a massive turnout of 3,362 entrants, with 975 players advancing. David Goodkin leads with 349,500 chips, but French poker legend Bruno Fitoussi is not far behind in seventh place. Fitoussi, known for his near misses at the WSOP, is hoping to finally secure his first bracelet.
Meanwhile, the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em event attracted 1,441 entrants, with 539 players bagging chips at the end of Day 1. Yanfeng Wang and Jose Ferreira are tied at the top with 369,000 chips each. Notable survivors include former Main Event champion Joe McKeehen, Kristen Foxen, and Nick Pupillo, all looking to make deep runs.
WSOP Player of the Year Race: Who Will Take the Crown?
The WSOP Player of the Year (POY) race is as thrilling as the events themselves. Scott Seiver currently leads with 2,736 points, but the competition is fierce. Chris Hunichen, Jeremy Ausmus, John Racener, Yuri Dzivielevski, Phil Ivey, and Shaun Deeb all have over 2,000 points, making the race wide open.
The new scoring system has added an extra layer of excitement, allowing more players to contend for the POY title. As of now, the top 20 players are all within striking distance, with the $50,000 PPC potentially being the deciding factor. The winner of this event will earn 1,198 points, which could catapult them to the top of the leaderboard.
| Rank | Name | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scott Seiver | 2,736.69 |
| 2 | Chris Hunichen | 2,655.92 |
| 3 | Jeremy Ausmus | 2,457.58 |
| 4 | John Racener | 2,313.01 |
| 5 | Yuri Dzivielevski | 2,178.64 |
| 6 | Phil Ivey | 2,152.36 |
| 7 | Shaun Deeb | 2,146.88 |
| 8 | David Prociak | 1,952.21 |
| 9 | Robert Mizrachi | 1,903.94 |
| 10 | Patrick Moulder | 1,899.83 |
WSOP: A Storied Legacy
Since its humble beginnings in 1970, the World Series of Poker (WSOP) has evolved into the premier poker event globally. Created by Benny Binion, the WSOP started with a few elite players and has grown into a massive festival that draws thousands annually. Over the years, the series has produced legends like Amarillo Slim, Greg Raymer, and Joe Hachem. The $10,000 buy-in Main Event is now a hallmark of poker, offering not just massive prize pools but also the chance for players to etch their names into poker history alongside past champions.