The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas hit a crescendo on July 3 with the start of the Main Event! Day 1a was a thrilling start, filled with dramatic eliminations, sensational plays, and a showcase of poker talent that left spectators buzzing.
The Excitement of Day 1a
Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship, Day 1a didn’t waste any time getting to the action. The atmosphere was charged as reigning world champion Daniel Weinman gave the shout to shuffle up and deal! In an instant, two players were eliminated, setting the tone for an eventful day.
Travis Darroch found himself all-in on the river with a full house, only to be crushed by David Williamson’s quad eights. Similarly, Craig Issod’s set of sixes was trumped by Harlan Karnofsky’s straight. These early busts are a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of poker, where even the best hands can fall to an unlucky draw.
Four New Bracelet Winners Amidst the Main Event Chaos
While the Main Event stole the spotlight, four new WSOP champions emerged on July 3. Arash Ghaneian captured his second bracelet in Event #74: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship, outlasting Richard Sklar to pocket $376,476. Ghaneian’s win adds another chapter to his illustrious poker career, showcasing his expertise in mixed games.
In Event #75: $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em, Team Setna (comprising Jimmy Setna and Jason James) triumphed over 1,436 teams to win their first bracelets and $190,910. Their victory exemplified the importance of teamwork and strategic planning in tag team events.
Matthew Lambrecht took down Event #76: $10,000 Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, defeating Damarjai Davenport heads-up for a massive $1,018,933 payday and his first gold bracelet. The mystery bounty format added an extra layer of excitement, with players constantly on edge about the potential rewards hidden in each knockout.
Wing Liu emerged victorious in Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event, earning $209,942 and his second WSOP bracelet. Liu’s previous win in the 2023 WSOP Europe Pot-Limit Omaha event established him as a formidable mixed game player, and his latest triumph further solidifies his reputation.
The Main Event: Feiger and Zeharia Lead the Pack
By the end of Day 1a, Joshua Feiger led the chip counts with 311,900 chips, followed closely by Assaf Zeharia with 276,600. Feiger’s strong start was bolstered by an early sizable pot, which he managed to build upon throughout the day. Zeharia’s journey was marked by a series of impressive hands, including a royal flush against Kahle Burns and multiple eliminations, making him a force to be reckoned with.
Frank Funaro, a two-time bracelet winner, bagged 265,000 chips, securing the third spot. His consistent play throughout the day kept him in the upper echelons of the leaderboard. Other notable chip counts included Mark Stockton with 260,700 chips and Jie Wu with 252,300, both demonstrating exceptional skill and endurance.
Main Event Champions: Past and Present
Two past Main Event champions, Qui Nguyen and Greg Merson, also made it through Day 1a. Seated together, they navigated the day’s challenges with determination. Nguyen ended the day with 39,000 chips, while Merson bagged 36,800. Their presence and performance underscored the high level of competition and the respect these champions command at the tables.
Other stars progressing to Day 2 included Rayan Chamas (162,000), Jon Pardy (161,700), Matt Affleck (161,700), Bin Weng (152,000), and Parker Talbot (107,600). These players, known for their online poker prowess, showcased their adaptability and skill in the live arena.
Mini Main Event: Williamson in the Lead
In Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold’em, Kyle Williamson topped the final five with 146,300,000 chips. He was closely followed by Georgios Skarparis with 143,700,000, setting up a tight race for the bracelet. Italy’s Alexandre Barbaranelli, with 36,800,000 chips, faced an uphill battle, while Mikhail Zavoloka and Dirk Bruns, with 20,200,000 and 17,500,000 chips respectively, rounded out the final table.
The Mini Main Event promised high stakes and intense competition, with each player eyeing the $554,925 top prize. Williamson’s commanding lead and strategic play positioned him as the favorite, but poker’s unpredictable nature meant anything could happen.
High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha: Tang’s Second Bracelet in Sight
Danny Tang led the final five in Event #79: $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha, sitting on a stack of 20,725,000 chips. Tang, who previously won the $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em in 2019, was poised for another significant victory. His closest competitor, Ronald Keijzer, had 13,275,000 chips, followed by Germany’s Daniel Perkusic with 12,150,000.
Jim Collopy and Santhosh Suvarna, with 5,100,000 and 4,850,000 chips respectively, aimed to challenge Tang’s dominance. Suvarna, fresh off his $250,000 Super High Roller win, was particularly determined to continue his winning streak.
Independence Day Celebration: Seif Shines
Mark Seif made a strong showing in Event #80: Independence Day Celebration, finishing Day 1a with 1,895,000 chips, the third-highest stack. Bulgaria’s Ivan Denev led the field with 2,480,000 chips, followed by Michael Phillips with 2,010,000. Seif, a two-time bracelet winner, demonstrated his experience and skill, positioning himself for a deep run.
The Independence Day Celebration attracted a diverse field, including Brandon Sheils (1,865,000), Men Nguyen (703,000), and Martin Zamani (640,000).
Looking Ahead to Day 38
Day 38 of the 2024 WSOP promises more excitement as Day 1b of the Main Event kicks off at noon. With no new events scheduled until July 6, the focus remains squarely on the Main Event. The final tables of the Mini Main Event and the $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha will also crown their champions, adding to the day’s drama.
As the Main Event progresses, the stories of triumph, strategy, and heartbreak will continue to unfold. Poker enthusiasts worldwide are keenly watching, anticipating the next big play, the next surprising elimination, and the eventual crowning of the 2024 WSOP Main Event champion. Stay tuned for more updates and insights as the 2024 WSOP marches forward.