The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas provided an action-packed Day 31, filled with thrilling victories and unforgettable moments. Among the standout stories were Franco Spitale’s remarkable comeback in the Millionaire Maker and Daniel Negreanu’s historic seventh WSOP bracelet win. Let’s delve into the highlights of this exhilarating day.
Daniel Negreanu’s Seventh WSOP Bracelet
The biggest headline of the day was Daniel Negreanu capturing his seventh WSOP bracelet in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship. This event is the dream of every professional poker player, and Negreanu’s triumph only cements his status as one of the greatest in the game. Winning a WSOP bracelet is akin to an Olympic gold medal in the poker world. Negreanu’s win is not just a personal milestone but a historic moment for the poker community. His relentless pursuit of excellence and ability to perform under pressure are qualities every aspiring poker player should strive to emulate.
For a details on Negreanu’s incredible journey to his seventh bracelet, you can read more here.
Franco Spitale’s Miraculous Win in the Millionaire Maker
Argentinian poker player Franco Spitale made headlines with his sensational victory in Event #54: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold’em. Spitale’s path to glory wasn’t straightforward. He found himself in a seemingly impossible situation, holding top pair against his opponent’s bottom set. But poker is a game of surprises, and running aces turned the tide, gifting Spitale a full house and the prestigious title. This win not only adds a significant achievement to Spitale’s career but also serves as an inspiration to poker enthusiasts worldwide, reminding them that no hand is truly over until the last card is dealt.
Sean Jazayeri Triumphs in the Super Seniors Event
Event #59: $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold’em saw Sean Jazayeri outlast Yucel “Mad Turk” Eminoglu in a thrilling heads-up battle. Jazayeri, already known for his World Poker Tour title, added a WSOP bracelet to his collection. This event showcased the skill and tenacity required to compete at the highest level, especially in a field of seasoned veterans.
Paolo Boi’s Victory in the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em
Event #60: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em was a rollercoaster, with the chip lead changing hands multiple times among the final five players. Ultimately, it was Paolo Boi who emerged victorious. Boi’s ability to navigate the fluctuating dynamics of the final table demonstrates the importance of adaptability and strategic thinking in poker.
David Funkhouser’s First Bracelet
David Funkhouser finally captured his first WSOP bracelet in Event #63: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw. After several near misses, including a fourth-place finish earlier in the series, Funkhouser’s persistence paid off. This win is a perfect example of how perseverance and dedication can eventually lead to success, even in a game as challenging as poker.
Christopher Moen’s $600 Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em Win
Christopher Moen, a Sioux Falls native, clinched his first WSOP title and $289,323 in prize money by winning Event #64: $600 Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em. Moen, who balanced his day job with his passion for poker, is a reminder that even recreational players can achieve greatness with the right mix of skill and determination.
Shimamoto Leads the PokerNews Deepstack Championship
Event #62: $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship is on the brink of crowning its champion, with Branden Shimamoto leading the final five. Shimamoto’s impressive chip count of 56,400,000 puts him in pole position, 24 big blinds ahead of second-placed Luke Varrasso, who has 42,000,000. The final day promises to be an intense showdown as the remaining players battle for the top prize of $282,876 and a commemorative 24-karat gold coin.
Harrison Ashdown is in third place with 30,900,000 chips, followed by Hector Berry with 23,800,000. Darryll Fish rounds out the field with 5,200,000 chips. Each player is guaranteed at least $79,418 for their efforts, with the top four finishers set to pocket six-figure sums.
Kevin Nathan Leads the Seniors High Roller
The $5,000 Seniors High Roller, Event #65, has been whittled down to ten players, with Kevin Nathan leading the pack. Nathan, a previous bracelet winner, holds a commanding chip lead with 7,300,000 chips, equating to 91 big blinds. He is followed closely by Bruno Lopes with 6,535,000 chips (82 big blinds), and Samuel Wagner with 4,220,000 chips (53 big blinds).
Arie Kliper and Michael Vela are also in the mix with 4,125,000 and 4,015,000 chips, respectively. The competition resumes with Nathan aiming to secure his second bracelet while the remaining players vie for their first taste of WSOP glory.
Jonathan Bowers Dominates the $10,000 PLO Championship
Event #66: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship is another thrilling event, with Jonathan Bowers leading the remaining 48 players into Day 3. Bowers bagged 3,300,000 chips, giving him a significant edge over his closest rivals, Elie Nakache with 2,795,000 chips and Uri Reichenstein with 2,630,000 chips.
Niklas Astedt and Nino Pansier are also in contention with 2,300,000 and 2,020,000 chips, respectively. With a stacked field of experienced professionals and rising stars, the next day of play is set to deliver high-stakes action and dramatic turns.
Salute to Warriors Attracts a Huge Field
Event #67: $500 Salute to Warriors No-Limit Hold’em attracted an incredible 4,517 entrants, surpassing last year’s total. The event saw 678 players advance to Day 2, each already in the money. Leading the charge is Don Patrick with 1,400,000 chips, followed closely by Lucas Tae with 1,341,000 and David Gallimore with 1,324,000.
Ron Schindelheim and Rami Hammoud are also among the top chip leaders with 1,290,000 and 1,250,000 chips, respectively. This event highlights the widespread appeal of poker, drawing a diverse group of players, from seasoned pros to enthusiastic amateurs, all competing for glory and a share of the prize pool.
Phil Ivey Bags Big in $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em
Phil Ivey continues to demonstrate why he’s one of the best in the business. Fresh off his 11th WSOP bracelet, Ivey bagged a top ten stack in Event #68: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em. Among the 335 players advancing from a field of 2,229, Ivey’s stack of 719,000 chips puts him in a strong position with 60 big blinds.
Andrew Chang leads the pack with 1,022,000 chips (85 big blinds), followed by Alisson Piekazewicz with 832,000 chips (69 big blinds) and Michael Holtz with 755,000 chips (63 big blinds). Kaiwilliam Cohen and Damien Luis round out the top five with 749,000 and 748,000 chips, respectively. Ivey’s relentless pursuit of WSOP titles continues to captivate the poker community, proving that even legends are always hungry for more success.
Jon Turner Leads in $1,500 Stud Hi-Lo
Event #69: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better saw Jon Turner, also known as “PearlJammer,” end Day 1 as the chip leader with 329,000 chips, equating to 41 big blinds. Turner narrowly leads Denis Strebkov, who has 327,500 chips (41 big blinds), and Christian Roberts with 321,500 chips (40 big blinds).
Leandro Ruy and Travis Pearson are also in the top five with 266,000 and 257,000 chips, respectively. With a field featuring poker greats like Phil Hellmuth, who is in the top 20 overnight, the competition promises to be fierce as players vie for the coveted bracelet.
Coming This Weekend
The excitement doesn’t end here. Day 32 and the coming weekend will see more thrilling action at the WSOP. Event #62: $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship will crown its champion, adding another name to the roster of winners. Event #65: $5,000 Seniors High Roller will also conclude, with Kevin Nathan leading the charge.
In addition to these, the penultimate day of Event #66: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship will unfold, promising intense battles as the field narrows down to the final five. Day 2 of Event #67: $500 Salute to Warriors and Event #68: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em will keep the action rolling, while Event #69: $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better continues its second day of play.
June 28 also marks the start of Event #70: $400 Colossus, an event that attracted 15,894 players in 2023. PokerNews’ traditional coverage of this tournament starts on Day 2, and players are encouraged to use the MyStack feature to keep their fans updated.
Event #71: $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Hold’em Championship will bring out the best female poker players, with Tamar Abraham defending her title. Finally, Event #72: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, a specialist event that Chris Brewer won last year, is set to draw a star-studded field.
Stay tuned as the 2024 WSOP continues to deliver high-stakes drama and unforgettable poker moments.