2023 WSOP Day 44 Highlights
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Contrary to the initial expectations of seeing a single champion, the day ended with two winners being honored with coveted WSOP bracelets.
Josh Arieh Triumphs in Event #80
Event #80, the $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. event, was scheduled to extend into a fourth day, but it became unnecessary, largely due to Josh Arieh’s formidable strategy. Arieh’s impressive performance led to him defeating Dan Heimiller in the final head-to-head showdown, claiming another $711,313 in prize money. This win marked Arieh’s second bracelet of the year, and an impressive sixth overall in his career.
First Bracelet Victory for Samuel Bernabeu in Event #79
In another surprising turn of events, Spain’s Samuel Bernabeu secured his first-ever WSOP bracelet. Bernabeu successfully outmaneuvered a large field of 2,067 competitors in Event #79, the $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em. The final day of this event saw the return of only 24 players from the original lineup, with Bernabeu emerging victorious, netting $682,436 in prize money along with the event’s bracelet.
Yang Wang Leads in $50K NLHE High Roller
The first day of Event #84, the $50,000 High Roller, saw a massive reduction from an initial count of 133 competitors to a more manageable field of 44 players after 12 rounds of play. China’s Yang Wang led the pack, finishing the day with the highest chip count of 2,175,000. Wang, already a participant in the $100,000 High Roller and the $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller, is now eyeing a trifecta of cash finishes.
Close behind Wang are German poker heavyweights Fedor Holz and Stefan Schillhabel, bagging the second and third-largest stacks, respectively. Other notable players to survive the first day include 2021 WSOP Main Event winner Espen Jorstad, soccer superstar Sergio Aguero, and renowned poker pros like Daniel Negreanu and Jason Koon.
The 2023 iteration of this event has seen significantly higher participation compared to 2022, and with late registrations being accepted until the start of Day 2, the turnout is anticipated to grow even further. Day 2 of Event #84 will commence at 1:00 p.m. local time on July 13.
Payne Leads the Pack into Day Seven of the Main Event
The tension continues to mount in Event #76, the $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship. After six days of rigorous competition, the field has been whittled down to just 49 participants, each vying for the record-breaking first-place prize of $12.1 million.
Joshua Payne, with a chip stack of 47,950,000, emerged as the player with the largest chip count as the sixth day came to a close. Payne’s strong performance puts him in an advantageous position, leading a competitive roster that includes Juan Maceiras Lapido with 40,500,000 chips, Daniel Weinman holding 24,375,000, Richard Ryder at 22,650,000, and Tim Van Loo close behind with 21,700,000.
The remaining players will continue their quest for the coveted WSOP Main Event title and multi-million dollar payday as the Main Event progresses into its seventh day of competition.
Day 1b of $600 Ultra Stack: Malboubi Leads the Charge
Day 1b of Event #81, the $600 Ultra Stack, witnessed 4,116 players entering the contest, but by the end of 22 rounds of thrilling action, only 312 participants had chips left to bag. Rassoul Malboubi, with a stack of 3,615,000, performed exceptionally well, having made it to the final table of the Super Seniors event earlier in the summer. Notable names joining Malboubi on Day 2 include Leonard Clementi, Robert Sherwood, Ben Farrell, Scott Bohlman, Kathy Liebert, Dinesh Alt, and Tommy Nguyen.
Drinan Paces Towards $3K PLO 6-Max Championship
In Event #82, the $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (6-Handed) Connor Drinan, with a stack of 4,225,000, is potentially positioned to secure the second WSOP bracelet of his career. Dustin Goldklang is the only player with a higher chip count, standing at 4,225,000 from the 35 remaining contenders for the $480,122 top prize. Lukas Zaskodny, Brandon Shack-Harris, and Day 1 chip leader Tyler Gaston are among those giving chase, with three-time bracelet winner Norbert Szecsi also remaining a serious contender despite trailing in the chip count.
Prociak Tops in the $1,500 Short Deck
Scheduled to be a three-day event, the $1,500 Short Deck, Event #83, has only nine of the original 363 competitors left after Day 1. It’s highly likely to conclude on its second day. David Prociak, with a stack of 2,040,000, is in a strong position to claim his second career bracelet. Ryan Laplante, who won his only bracelet in 2016, is also in the running, starting Day 2 in the seventh position.
What’s Next on Day 45 of the 2023 WSOP
Day 45 of the 2023 WSOP is set to be filled with intense competition. The main attraction, Event #76, the $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship, is entering its crucial seventh day.
Simultaneously, Event #81, the $600 Ultra Stack, will see a significant reduction in its number of participants as it enters Day 2. Event #84, the $50,000 High Roller, will continue progressing toward its final stages.
Likewise, winners will be announced in Event #82, the $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (6-Handed), and Event #83, the $1,500 Short Deck. Meanwhile, three new tournaments will kick off: Event #85, the $1,500 Shootout, Event #86, the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty, and Event #87, the $2,500 Mixed Omaha/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better. The action promises to reach fever pitch as the 2023 WSOP draws to a close.
