The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) continued to captivate audiences on Day 43, as the prestigious Main Event inched closer to the money bubble. Poker enthusiasts and professionals alike had their eyes glued to the action at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where a blend of seasoned veterans and ambitious newcomers battled it out on the felt. Let’s dive into the most memorable moments from this thrilling day.
Main Event’s Dramatic Progression
Day 3 of the $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship saw a significant reduction in the field, with only 1,524 players remaining out of the 3,617 who started the day. The atmosphere was electric as players navigated the tense pre-money bubble phase. Spanish player Francisco Perez Moreno led the charge, bagging an impressive 2,187,000 chips. His closest competitors included Justin Datloff from the United States with 1,819,000 chips and Canada’s Alex Livingston with 1,808,000. The battle for dominance was fierce, as players aimed to secure a spot in the money, and potentially, the $10 million top prize.
Several well-known players also made significant strides. Matt Stout accumulated 1,670,000 chips, while Francis Anderson held 1,655,000. Diogo Coelho and Nazar Buhaiov, each with 1,631,000 chips, shared an exact count, showcasing how tight the competition was at the top.
Past Champions in Contention
The Main Event always attracts a crowd of poker legends, and this year was no different. Five past champions remained in the hunt, each with their eyes set on another bracelet. Koray Aldemir, the 2021 champion, was in the best shape among them, finishing Day 3 with 443,000 chips. Not far behind was Joe McKeehen, the 2015 champion, with 420,000 chips. The 2017 winner, Scott Blumstein, held 299,000 chips, while Robert Varkonyi, the 2002 champion, ended the day with 288,000. Espen Jorstad, the 2022 champion, had 136,000 chips, and Daniel Weinman, the reigning champion, found himself with a short stack of 82,000 chips. The presence of these champions added an extra layer of excitement to an already intense competition.
Garth Yettick’s Remarkable Win
Day 43 also saw the crowning of two bracelet winners. Garth Yettick emerged victorious in Event #83: $1,500 Eight Game Mix 6-Handed, earning $131,061. Yettick’s journey to the top was particularly inspiring, considering his last recorded in-the-money finish was back in 2005. At the final table, Yettick faced formidable opponents such as Marco Johnson, Maxx Coleman, and John Racener. In a thrilling heads-up battle, Yettick defeated Josh Arieh, who was vying for his seventh bracelet. This victory marked a significant milestone in Yettick’s poker career, proving that persistence and skill can triumph over long odds.
The Ultra Stack’s Intense Action
Event #84: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em saw a dramatic reduction in its field, from 788 players at the start of Day 2 to just 19 remaining. Axel Orellana led the pack with 57,500,000 chips, a commanding lead that set him apart from his competitors. Following him were Juan Garibaldi with 40,400,000 chips and Jason Wester with 31,200,000. The final stages of this event promised to be a thrilling showdown, with each player vying for their first WSOP bracelet and the $343,010 top prize.
Mystery Bounty Adds a Twist
The inaugural $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha event (Event #86) introduced a new level of excitement to the WSOP. Day 1a attracted 1,071 entrants, with 193 making it through to the next stage. Gene Grieshaber topped the chip counts with 1,211,000, closely followed by Daisuke Ogita with 1,205,000 and Ramzi Jelassi with 1,171,000. This event’s unique format and high stakes made it a standout, promising more surprises as it progressed.
Brazilian Brilliance in the $5K Event
Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em saw 88 players survive Day 1, each securing a spot in the money. Brazilian players dominated the top chip counts, with Felipe Boianovsky leading with 1,795,000 chips. Hot on his heels were compatriots Felipe Ketzer (1,380,000) and Yuri Dzivielevski (1,375,000). The Brazilian contingent’s strong performance highlighted their growing influence in the global poker scene.
Other notable players included Patrick Leonard from the UK with 1,370,000 chips, and China’s Xue Song with 1,350,000. This event’s conclusion was highly anticipated, with a champion set to be crowned on Day 44.
Looking Ahead
As the WSOP entered its final week, the excitement showed no signs of waning. Day 44 was expected to burst the Main Event’s money bubble early, significantly reducing the player count as the stakes grew higher. Event #84: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em and Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em were set to crown their champions, adding to the already electrifying atmosphere.
Additionally, the $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha’s second starting flight promised more action and intrigue. The $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship, kicking off at 2:00 p.m. local time, was another highlight, expected to attract top-tier talent seeking to end their summer on a high note.