The 49th day of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was nothing short of electrifying, a testament to the thrill and unpredictability of both live and online poker. Held at the iconic Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, this day saw three coveted bracelets awarded and intense competition across seven events. From high-stakes battles to strategic showdowns, let’s delve into the day’s most riveting moments.
A Champion’s Journey: Event #89 – $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship
Event #89 saw Clement Richez clinch his first WSOP bracelet and a hefty $1,041,989 prize. The final day of this inaugural event was a rollercoaster, with Richez overcoming Adam Owen in a gripping heads-up duel.
Michael Rocco’s Triumph in Event #94 – $10,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Event #94 witnessed Michael Rocco emerging victorious after a fierce battle. Starting with only 28 players on the final day, Rocco’s strategic acumen saw him outlast the competition, including defending champion Alexandre Reard. The win not only added a WSOP bracelet to Rocco’s collection but also solidified his reputation as a formidable player in high-stakes poker.
Day 1c of the $777 Lucky 7’s: A Mixed Bag of Emotions
Event #93’s $777 Lucky 7’s No-Limit Hold’em drew 3,235 entrants for Day 1c, but only 150 players advanced. Artem Metalidi, a 2018 WSOP Main Event finalist, bagged an impressive 2,375,000 chips, positioning himself third in the chip count. Leading the pack was Marc Rivera with 3,255,000 chips, followed closely by Jeffrey Smith with 2,380,000. The day was a blend of highs and lows, with notable players like Ilija Savevski and Kathy Liebert advancing, while others faced elimination.
The plan for Day 2 is to narrow the field to just five players or complete 17 levels, setting the stage for intense action.
Poker Hall of Fame Bounty: The Battle Continues
Event #95, the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em, proved too ambitious to wrap up in a single day, leaving nine players to resume the fight. Leading the final table is David Stamm with 6,350,000 chips, followed by Naseem Salem with 6,125,000 and Jamie Walden with 5,875,000. With big names like Adam Hendrix and Martin Finger in the mix, the final showdown promises to be a strategic masterpiece.
High-Stakes Drama: $25K H.O.R.S.E. Final Day
Albert Daher is leading the charge in Event #96, the $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E., with 3,630,000 chips. Close on his heels are Michael Moncek with 3,245,000 and David Benyamine with 3,235,000. This event has been a true test of skill and endurance, with the top ten players all showing remarkable resilience and tactical prowess. With Phil Ivey and Scott Seiver among the finalists, the concluding day is set to be a classic.
Scott Ball Dominates Day 1 of $3K PLO 6-Max
Scott Ball stole the show in Event #97: $3,000 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha, bagging an astounding 1,015,000 chips, equivalent to 254 big blinds. This impressive performance placed him well ahead of his closest competitors, Stanislav Barshak with 779,000 chips and Hokyiu Lee with 774,000 chips. Notably, Shaun Deeb, Alex Livingston, and Jesse Lonis also secured top ten positions, setting up a thrilling Day 2.
Daniel Rezaei Leads The Closer Day 1a
Austrian high roller Daniel Rezaei dominated Day 1a of Event #98: $1,500 The Closer, bagging 1,830,000 chips. His remarkable run places him ahead of Robert Nemeskerikiss, who holds 1,435,000 chips, and Kazuhiko Yotsushika with 1,335,000 chips. Rezaei’s performance underscores his consistency and skill, making him the player to watch as Day 2 approaches.
What to Expect on Day 50
Day 50 promises to be another action-packed day at the WSOP. The Main Event finalists will return, aiming to reduce the field to four. Event #93: $777 Lucky 7’s, Event #97: $3,000 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha, and Event #98: $1,500 The Closer will continue, each event brimming with potential for dramatic turnarounds.
The prestigious $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. and the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em will also crown their champions. With no new events scheduled, the focus remains on these high-stakes battles.
Read About Every WSOP In History
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) began in 1970, organized by Benny Binion at his Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. Starting with a small group of elite players who voted Johnny Moss as the first champion, the WSOP evolved from a handful of cash games into the premier poker event worldwide, now featuring hundreds of bracelet events. Through the 1970s and 80s, legends like Doyle Brunson and Stu Ungar helped solidify the WSOP’s global reputation, with each year bringing more players and higher stakes.
As part of GGPoker’s series on WSOP history, Paul Seaton delves into the inaugural 1970 event, where Johnny Moss was crowned poker’s first world champion by a player vote. Highlighting his expertise gained from over a decade of reporting on top poker players, Seaton explores how this modest gathering laid the groundwork for the massive tournaments that followed.