Day 44 of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was nothing short of spectacular, featuring drama, triumph, and the occasional heartbreak. With the Main Event bubble bursting, poker enthusiasts around the world had their eyes glued to the action at the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas. Let’s take a closer look at the highlights from July 10.
Bursting the Bubble: The Defining Moment
The money bubble is always a pivotal moment in any poker tournament. It’s the stage where the tension peaks, as players either secure a payout or go home empty-handed. On Day 44, 1,524 hopefuls returned to their chip stacks, with only 1,517 guaranteed a payday. This meant seven unfortunate souls would leave with nothing but a story.
Lucas Reeves found himself at the center of one of the day’s most talked-about hands. Holding pocket kings and a hefty stack of nearly 120 big blinds, Reeves faced off against Marcelo Tadeu Aziz Junior. What started as a standard preflop raising war escalated quickly, culminating in a 7-bet shove from Reeves. Aziz called, revealing pocket aces. The board ran out, crushing Reeves’ kings and his Main Event dreams.
Survivors and the Thrill of Victory
As the dust settled from the bubble burst, the field rapidly thinned, leaving only 464 players to contest the Main Event. Leading the pack was Stephen Song with 4,745,000 in chips. Hot on his heels was Spanish poker prodigy Adrian Mateos with 4,500,000, followed by Will Berry with 4,465,000.
Song’s journey through Day 4 was a masterclass in poker strategy. With a WSOP bracelet already under his belt from a 2019 event, Song is no stranger to high-pressure situations. His consistent aggression and well-timed bluffs paid off, propelling him to the top of the leaderboard.
Mateos, another formidable competitor, had a stellar day where every move seemed to pay off. He skillfully maneuvered his way through the competition, turning his big stack into a formidable weapon. This performance showcased why he’s regarded as one of the game’s top players.
Fallen Champions and New Contenders
Day 44 also saw the exit of several past Main Event champions, ensuring that a new champion would be crowned in 2024. Among those who fell were Espen Jorstad, reigning champion Daniel Weinman, Scott Blumstein, Robert Varkonyi, Koray Aldemir, and Joe McKeehen. Each of these players experienced the highs and lows of poker, but ultimately, their runs ended before the end of the day.
However, the field still boasts a plethora of top-tier talent. Names like Jesse Lonis, Brandon Cantu, Alex Livingston, Ren Lin, Brian Rast, Kristen Foxen, Phil Ivey, Jonathan Little, and Maria Ho remain in contention. These players, each with their own impressive resumes, will undoubtedly add to the excitement as the Main Event progresses.
Carsten Heidemann’s Ultra Stack Victory
While the Main Event commanded much of the spotlight, other events provided their share of thrills. Carsten Heidemann, a relatively unknown player from Germany, captured the title in Event #84: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em. Heidemann navigated a field of 6,628 players, starting Day 3 with just 19 remaining.
Facing experienced opponents like Ramana Epparla, Heidemann’s victory was a testament to his skill and determination. After defeating Epparla heads-up, Heidemann claimed his first WSOP bracelet and a life-changing $343,010.
Matthew Alsante’s 8-Handed Triumph
Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em also crowned a new champion. Matthew Alsante outlasted a field of 1,042 entrants, securing his first bracelet and $785,486 in prize money. Alsante’s path to victory was anything but easy, as he faced formidable opponents like Patrick Leonard, Hirokazu Kobayashi, and Thailand’s Punnat Punsri.
Alsante’s aggressive play and keen strategic decisions helped him amass a dominant chip lead by the final stages. His heads-up battle with Punsri was particularly intense, but Alsante’s consistent pressure and well-timed moves ultimately led to his triumph.
The Mystery Bounty and Mixed Game Action
Day 1b of Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha attracted 2,582 entries, with 270 advancing to Day 2. Leading the charge was Australia’s Najeem Ajez with 1,454,000 in chips. Ajez, with over $1.5 million in live tournament earnings, is poised for another deep run, bolstered by his six cashes at the 2024 WSOP.
The inaugural Eight Game Mixed Championship (Event #88) also saw significant action, drawing 158 players. Jordan Siegel emerged as the Day 1 chip leader with 336,500, closely followed by Mike Watson with 332,500. This event, featuring a mix of games like razz, 2-7 lowball, and Stud8, promises to be a test of versatility and skill.
What to Expect on Day 45
As we move into Day 45, the stakes will continue to rise. The Main Event will see another five two-hour levels, likely reducing the field to around 200 players. Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha aims to play down to a winner, though an unscheduled Day 3 might be necessary given the 463 remaining participants.
Event #88: $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship will also resume, with top players like Jordan Siegel and Mike Watson vying for the title. Additionally, three new events will kick off, including the $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship, $1,500 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha, and $3,000 H.O.R.S.E., ensuring another action-packed day at the WSOP.