Ian Matakis topped the WSOP field in points to claim the honor
The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has now concluded as poker fans applaud Daniel Weinman’s win at the biggest Main Event in WSOP history. Another player with much to celebrate is Ian Matakis, who took the 2023 WSOP Player of the Year title.
Matakis, with 5,203.89 points, finished well ahead of second-place finisher Shaun Deeb, who ended the series with 4,276.12 points. Chris Brewer finished third (4,127.62), and Josh Arieh (3938.62) and Jesse Lonis (3865.70) round out the top five.
Matakis had 22 cashes at the WSOP in 2023, with nine in online events. His single bracelet this year came at Online Event #2: $500 No-Limit Hold ’em Bankroll Builder, earning him a $120,686 prize. However, his biggest cash was a third-place finish, winning $205,696 in Event #82: $3,000 6-Handed Pot Limit Omaha. Matakis also had another cash of just under $200,000.
He finished the 2023 WSOP with six top-ten finishes, ten top-20 finishes, and total cashes of $869,791. Matakis thanked his fans in a Tweet on Tuesday, saying it was an honor to join the ranks of previous WSOP Player of the Year winners.
Runner-up Deeb had two more cashes than Matakis, including one bracelet, but the difference was likely Matakis’ higher finishes. Deeb had four top-ten finishes, including second place in Online Event #3: $1,000 No-Limit Hold ’em Deepstack, finishing the series with 12 top-20 results.
For his WSOP Player of the Year victory, Matakis receives a free entry into the 2024 Main Event, a trophy, and a banner at the Paris/Horseshoe to commemorate his title.
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