The 2024 edition of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) is well underway, with players gearing up for Day 3 of the highly anticipated Main Event. This year’s tournament has attracted a staggering 9,493 participants, making it the second largest in WSOP history. Despite falling short of last year’s record-breaking numbers, late registration is still open for Day 2d, giving players a chance to join the action.
Currently, US player Anthony Marsico holds the chip lead heading into Day 3, with an impressive stack of 797,000 chips. Throughout the initial days of the tournament, many well-known players saw their hopes dashed, but there are still plenty of household names in contention, including Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Phil Galfond. Negreanu, who recently broke a bracelet drought by winning the player’s championship, managed to bounce back from a slow start and bag 90,000 chips for Day 3. On the other hand, Galfond experienced a rollercoaster ride, starting strong but dwindling to a stack of 37,000. Ivey, on the other hand, secured a substantial 162,500 chips to navigate through Day 2.
Unfortunately, some heavyweights in the poker world were eliminated early on, including former champions Jamie Gold, Phil Hellmuth, and Chris Moneymaker. Despite Hellmuth’s grand entrance and flashy demeanor, luck was not on his side during Day 2. Additionally, pros like Dominik Nitzsche, Patrick Leonard, and Vanessa Selbst failed to progress in the tournament. However, there are still notable champions like Hossein Ensan, Koray Aldemir, and Espen Jorstad, all with significant chip stacks aiming to make history by winning the event twice.
The tournament saw several dramatic moments, with players busting out on their very first hand. From a full house being beaten by quads to classic AA vs KK coolers, the action was intense from the get-go. Influencer Dan Bilzerian was among those who fell early in the tournament, while chess streamer Alexandra Botez managed to survive and advance to Day 2 with a stack of 39,200 chips.
As the remaining players from Day 1d prepare to reconvene for Day 2d, the stakes continue to rise. With blinds increasing and players vying for a spot in the later stages of the tournament, the excitement and tension are palpable. The WSOP Main Event of 2024 promises to be a thrilling and unforgettable competition, with players from all walks of life coming together to compete for poker glory.