Breaking Records and Making History: The 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event

Let's dive into the thrilling world of poker, where history is made and fortunes are won! The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event has once again shattered attendance records, drawing an astonishing 10,112 players for its 55th edition. This year’s tournament, held in the glittering heart of Las Vegas, promises to be the most unforgettable yet, with a colossal prize pool of $94,041,600 and a first-place prize of $10 million. Poker enthusiasts, brace yourselves for an epic showdown!

Photo Credit: harwoodbr19. 2024 WSOP Main Event Final Table.

The Record-Breaking Surge

Just last year, the WSOP broke a 17-year attendance record with 10,043 entrants, a record set by Daniel Weinman of Atlanta, Georgia, who triumphed over the massive field to claim the iconic WSOP Main Event Bracelet. This year, the excitement reached new heights as the tournament saw a record single-day entry on July 6th, with 5,014 participants joining on the same day. Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the WSOP, expressed his gratitude: “The response has been overwhelming since our move to the Las Vegas Strip. Thank you to our partners, team members, and most of all, the players for another unforgettable summer.”

The Final Table: Who’s In?

After 12 days of intense action, the WSOP Main Event has reached its Final Table. Nine players remain, each with dreams of claiming poker’s greatest prize and their share of the record-breaking prize pool. Here are the contenders:

Jordan Griff (Schaumburg, Illinois, United States) – 163,700,000 Chips

• Age: 30

• Previous best WSOP finish: 40th in Event #18 (2023)

• Current residence: Scottsdale, Arizona

Education: Degree in Supply Chain Management from Arizona State University

Brian Kim (Diamond Bar, California, United States) – 94,600,000 Chips

• Age: 34

• Achievements: One WSOP bracelet, finished 23rd in 2022 Main Event

• Current residence: Sydney, Australia

• Education: University of Nevada-Las Vegas

Niklas Astedt (Goteborg, Sweden) – 94,200,000 Chips

• Age: 33

• Achievements: Over $48 million in online cashes, 60 career WSOP cashes
  

Joe Serock (Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States) – 83,600,000 Chips

• Age: 36

• Achievements: One WSOP bracelet, New Mexico's all-time leader in live poker earnings

• Current residence: San Diego, California

• WSOP career cashes: 98

Jason Sagle (Sudbury, Ontario, Canada) – 67,300,000 Chips

• Age: 48

• Nickname: "Big Bird"

• Achievements: 23rd in 2004 WSOP Main Event

• Family: Married with three children

Boris Angelov (Sofia, Bulgaria) – 52,900,000 Chips

• Age: 27

• Education: Degree in Finance from the University of Bocconi

• WSOP career cashes: 12

Jonathan Tamayo (Humble, Texas, United States) – 26,700,000 Chips

• Age: 38

• Achievements: Over $2 million in live poker earnings, 63 WSOP cashes

• Education: Cornell University, Degree in Hotel Management

• Hobbies: Avid golfer

Malo Latinois (Rennes, France) – 25,500,000 Chips

• Age: 28

• Achievements: Entered Day 8 as chip leader

• Current residence: Liffre, France

Andres Gonzalez (Cartagena, Spain) – 18,300,000 Chips

• Age: 30

• WSOP career cashes: 31

• Previous best WSOP cash: 3rd in Event #28 earlier this summer

Photo Credit: harwoodbr19. 2024 WSOP Main Event Final Table. Jordan Griff, Brian Kim, Niklas Astedt, Joe Serock, Jason Sagle, Boris Angelov, Jonathan Tamayo, Malo Latinois and Andres Gonzalez.

The Ultimate Prize: The 2024 WSOP Main Event Bracelet

What’s a victory without a trophy? The 2024 Main Event champion will be adorned with the most prestigious prize in the world of poker: the WSOP Main Event gold bracelet. Unveiled by Jack Binion, a Founding Father of the WSOP, this year’s bracelet is a masterpiece. Custom-made by Jostens, it features approximately 445 grams of 10-karat yellow gold, encrusted with 2,253 precious gemstones, including 1,948 round genuine diamonds, 230 black onyx stones, and 75 genuine red rubies. Adding a unique touch, the bracelet boasts a removable golden face plate that doubles as a card protector.

The Final Showdown

On Tuesday, July 16, these nine players will compete on the “Mothership” stage inside the Horseshoe Events Center for the ultimate title and a $10 million prize. Each finalist is guaranteed at least $1 million, making this one of the most lucrative events in poker history.

Stay Tuned!

For real-time coverage of the WSOP Main Event, visit WSOP.com. The excitement is palpable, and the stakes have never been higher. Join us in celebrating this monumental event and watch as poker history unfolds in the vibrant city of Las Vegas.

Until next time, may the best hands win, and may the luck of the draw be with you!