Jonathan Tamayo won the 2024 World Series of Poker main event on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. He beat more than 10,000 players to claim the main event bracelet and the $10M grand prize. Tamayo began the final table in seventh place but moved up to win. He is the first player to win from that position since Pius Heinz in 2011.
Why WSOP Matters The Most in Poker
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) main event holds significant importance for several reasons. Winning the WSOP main event is considered one of the highest achievements in poker, representing a mark of excellence and skill in the game. The event offers substantial prize money, with the winner potentially earning millions of dollars, making it a highly lucrative tournament.
The main event attracts players from around the world, bringing international fame and recognition to those who win. Success in this event can greatly impact a player’s career, leading to sponsorships, endorsements, and more opportunities within the poker world. The event has a long history dating back to 1970, contributing to the sport’s legacy as a major fixture in the poker calendar. Additionally, the competition is fierce, featuring some of the best poker players globally. Competing and winning against such a strong field is a testament to a player’s skill and strategy, further adding to the event’s prestige and significance.
The Way It Happened
The 2024 WSOP Main Event final table was split into two parts. On July 16, Jonathan Tamayo, starting in seventh place, eventually won the tournament in Las Vegas. Jordan Griff led the chips, and Niklas Astedt was second. After early eliminations, including Mal Latinois and Joe Serock, Brian Kim was knocked out by Astedt’s pocket tens. The second day began with Astedt leading, followed by Tamayo and Griff. The big blind was 3,000,000, and players had already earned $4,000,000. Griff and Astedt traded the lead, and in a key hand, Astedt was eliminated in third place.
In heads-up play, Griff had the chip lead, but Tamayo quickly took control. After some back-and-forth action, including a significant hand where Tamayo doubled up, the final hand saw Tamayo with the bottom two pairs against Griff’s top pair. Griff’s chance to win fell short, and Tamayo was crowned the 2024 World Champion, taking home $10,000,000 and the WSOP bracelet.
How did Tamayo Reacy
Tamayo appeared to be in disbelief after winning the 2024 WSOP Main Event, which had a record field of 10,112 players. He held up the diamond-encrusted gold bracelet and remarked that it felt unreal. He mentioned that his roommate’s picture from 2015 was displayed, and now both had banners. Tamayo expressed his astonishment at what had just happened.
Throughout the final table, Tamayo often felt as if the experience was a dream. He noted that, despite it feeling surreal, it was indeed a reality and that he had won $10,000,000. He shared that he was still trying to take it all in and suggested taking a perspective photo to capture the moment, saying he wanted to remember what it looked like from his vantage point.
Effect of The Win on The Winner
The win at the 2024 WSOP Main Event secured Tamayo 1,550 PGT points. When combined with his third-place finish at the Texas Poker Open, Tamayo climbed to second place on the PGT leaderboard with a total of 1,730 points. Jordan Griff, who came in second at the WSOP Main Event, now holds ninth place on the leaderboard with 1,350 points. Meanwhile, Kristen Foxen, who finished in 13th place, has moved back into the top ten with 1,336 points.
At the end of the 2024 PGT season, the top 40 players on the leaderboard will qualify for the PGT Championship. This season-ending $1,000,000 freeroll will award a $500,000 top prize. Previous winners of this championship include Jason Koon in 2022 and Daniel Smiljkovic in 2023.
Final Words
Tamayo fully acknowledges how unusual it all feels. He remarked that it was going to be a fun memory and that he was glad he would never have to live it down.
During the summer, Tamayo and McKeehen shared a house. They will now be forever linked in WSOP history, as their names will be displayed on the wall together as world champions. Tamayo reflected on the situation, wondering what had just happened. He has just won the biggest tournament in poker. It is hard to believe, but it was not a dream. Tamayo is now a world champion, and this achievement will be remembered for a long time. The enormity of the win and the shared experience with McKeehen make this moment even more special for him.
Also read:
