The poker tournament series has already awarded over $105 million in prize money
The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has seen a significant hike in the total prize money, with a whopping nine-figure sum awarded to the participants. Over the course of 38 live and five online events, there has been over $105.5 million awarded throughout the series, and the number of entries has exceeded 86,500. Some of the events have stood out for their results.
During the latest Pot-Limit Omaha event, a total of 1,355 participants ponied up the $1,500 buy-in. The wagering activity was fierce, leading to a sizeable prize pool worth $1,808,925. Eventually, after three days of action, Sean Troha from North Olmsted, Ohio, became the top winner with an impressive cash prize of $298,192, while 204 other participants cashed, as well.
Troha, a seasoned poker player, clinched his second career bracelet at the WSOP following his maiden win in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha tournament last year. The hard-earned victory earned him a hefty payout of $1,246,770, which stands as his highest tournament payday of all time. With consecutive bracelet wins, Troha cemented his position as a top-performing player. Through his illustrious career, Troha has amassed more than $2.3 million in earnings, with a significant part of it, almost $1.8 million, coming from WSOP wins.
At the age of 22, Ryutaro Suzuki gained a victory in the $3,000 mixed event after facing 361 participants. This success led him to obtain his very first bracelet and the $221,124 top prize. This marked a pivotal point in his career, as it was his first six-figure championship win. In addition, his triumph also granted him the first title of WSOP champion for Japan.
Suzuki went all-in during the final round with Aces and 3s (as his bottom pair) in the PLO final. Despite Walter Chambers managing to catch a flush and a straight draw, he was blocked, and he found himself eliminated in second place with $136,667.
Meanwhile, Yuan Li emerged as the ultimate victor of the $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em event. Li, a player hailing from China, outlasted a field of 1,962 players to secure his inaugural bracelet and take home a top prize of $524,777. This victory marks Li’s second career achievement, as he previously claimed the Asia Championship of Poker in 2016, earning $871,000 in the process. With this recent win, Li’s total earnings from tournaments now exceed $1.9 million.
