In July, a new champion emerged in the record-setting $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas. After 10 days of intense action, Jonathan Tamayo, hailing from Humble, Texas, came out victorious, defeating a field of 10,112 players to claim the $10 million first-place prize and coveted gold bracelet.
Tamayo’s success was not a fluke, as he had previously finished 21st in the Main Event back in 2009, earning $352,000. The runner-up in this year’s Main Event was fellow American Jordan Griff, who walked away with a hefty $6 million prize, while Swedish online poker professional Niklas Astedt secured third place and a $4 million payout.
“Winning the Main Event was a dream come true for me. I put in a lot of hard work and dedication to get to this point, and I am overjoyed with the result,” Tamayo said in a post-tournament interview.
In addition to Tamayo’s triumph, another poker pro made headlines during the series. Originally from New York, high-stakes poker player Sevier completed a trifecta on his way to being named Player of the Year. Known for making bold bets on his own performance, Sevier’s strategy paid off handsomely.
Sevier’s impressive run began with a win in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship, netting him $426,744. He continued his winning streak by taking home $141,374 in a $1,500 Razz event, and then clinched the title in the $10,000 No Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, adding another $411,041 to his winnings. To top it off, Sevier secured third and sixth place finishes in other events throughout the series.
“I always believed in my abilities as a player, and I knew that taking risks on myself could lead to great rewards. I am thrilled with how everything turned out,” Sevier commented after his outstanding performance.
The World Series of Poker Main Event and surrounding tournaments proved to be memorable and lucrative for both Tamayo and Sevier, showcasing the excitement and skill that the poker world has to offer. It was a thrilling showcase of talent, perseverance, and strategic gameplay, leaving fans and players alike eagerly anticipating the next big event in the world of poker.