Day 50 of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was nothing short of spectacular. The Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas casinos buzzed with excitement as poker enthusiasts from around the globe tuned in to witness the action unfold. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the progression towards the final table of the WSOP Main Event, where three players are now in contention for the coveted title and a life-changing $10 million prize. Let’s take a closer look at the day’s events and the current status of the Main Event final table.
The Main Event Heats Up
With only one day left in this summer’s WSOP, the anticipation reached a fever pitch. The Main Event, featuring a record-breaking field of 10,112 entries, has been a rollercoaster of emotions and high-stakes drama. As the dust settled on Day 50, three players emerged as the final contenders: Niklas Astedt, Jonathan Tamayo, and Jordan Griff. Each of them has secured at least $4 million, but the ultimate prize of $10 million still hangs in the balance.
The Final Three
Niklas Astedt, known for his prowess in online poker under the moniker “Lena900,” leads the trio with a massive stack of 223 million chips, equivalent to 74 big blinds. Close on his heels is Jonathan Tamayo with 197 million chips (66 big blinds), followed by Jordan Griff, who sits comfortably with 187 million chips (62 big blinds). The chip counts reflect a tight race, with just twelve big blinds separating the leader from the third-place contender, ensuring a thrilling finale.
Key Moments from Day 50
The action on Day 50 was intense, with several notable events taking place across various tournaments. Two events crowned their champions, while others moved closer to awarding their bracelets.
Jamie Walden’s Triumph
Jamie Walden concluded his WSOP journey on a high note by winning Event #95: $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em. Walden, a British player, pocketed $313,370 and secured his first gold bracelet. His victory was a testament to his resilience and skill, making him one of the standout performers of the series.
Xixiang Luo’s Double Victory
China’s Xixiang Luo added another bracelet to his collection by winning Event #96: $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E. Luo had already triumphed in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot earlier in the series. His latest victory against Albert Daher in a heads-up battle earned him the title and further cemented his reputation as a formidable player.
The Closer: Jared Bleznick’s Charge
Event #98: $1,500 The Closer attracted a massive field of 2,401 entrants, with 277 players advancing to Day 2. Among them was Jared Bleznick, who recently won a bracelet in the $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em event. Bleznick finished Day 1b with 1,540,000 chips, placing him fourth in the chip counts. Denmark’s Martin Stausholm led the field with 2,035,000 chips, followed by Israel’s Gal Naim and Russia’s Timur Khamidullin. The final day of this event promises to be fiercely competitive as players vie for the remaining prize pool.
The Lucky 7’s Showdown
Event #93: $777 Lucky 7’s No-Limit Hold’em saw its field whittled down to just five players. Duc Nguyen leads the pack with a colossal stack of 119,200,000 chips, equivalent to 99 big blinds. Michael Liang is his closest competitor with 52,500,000 chips (44 big blinds), while Manoj Batavia, Mitch Garshofsky, and Rajesh Mehta round out the final five. The winner will take home $777,777, making this a highly anticipated conclusion.
$3,000 6-Handed PLO: The Final 17
Event #97: $3,000 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha saw 17 players advance to the final day. Andrew Watson leads the field with 5,200,000 chips (130 big blinds), followed by Martin Zamani and Shai Elbaz. The top ten chip counts are all formidable, ensuring a competitive and exciting finish. With a top prize of $390,621 on the line, the stakes are high for these players.
The Main Event: A Glimpse into the Final Table
The penultimate day of the WSOP Main Event was filled with high-stakes drama and strategic gameplay. As the final three players prepared for the ultimate showdown, the atmosphere was electric. Astedt, Tamayo, and Griff each have their own unique stories and playing styles, making this one of the most anticipated final tables in recent memory.
The Journey to the Final Three
The journey to the final three was marked by several pivotal moments. Niklas Astedt’s aggressive playstyle paid off as he notched up four eliminations, propelling him to the top of the chip counts. Jonathan Tamayo’s steady climb from seventh in chips to nearly even with Astedt showcased his resilience and tactical prowess. Jordan Griff, who started the day as one of the big stacks, maintained his position through calculated moves and timely aggression.
The Stage is Set
As the final three players prepare for the grand finale, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The Main Event title, along with the $10 million prize, is within reach for Astedt, Tamayo, and Griff. Their chip counts are close enough to ensure that any one of them could emerge victorious, making this a must-watch event for poker fans around the world.