2024 WSOP Daily Recap: Shiina Okamoto Redeems Herself in Ladies Championship, Avneesh Munjal Reaches Colossus Finale

Day 35 of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the iconic Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas delivered another adrenaline dose of excitement, with seven bracelet events in full swing and one reaching its thrilling conclusion.

The day`s highlight was Shiina Okamoto`s stunning victory in Event #71: $1,000 Ladies No-Limit Championship. The Japanese poker pro, who finished as a runner-up in the same event last year, redeemed herself by conquering a record-setting field of 1,245 players and bested poker personality Jamie Kerstetter heads-up to claim her first WSOP gold bracelet.

Meanwhile, Event #70: $400 Colossus No-Limit Hold ’em continues to keep the Indian rail electrified. While nine Indian players entered Day 2 with high hopes, only Avneesh Munjal survived to reach Day 3. Armed with the 27th largest stack among the 92 remaining players, Munjal is poised for a deep run. Abhishek Paul, Anju Abrol, Paawan Bansal, Gaurav Sood, Kartik Ved, Ashish Ahuja, Gaurav Chauhan, and Uday Kwatra, although eliminated on Day 2, earned commendable cash finishes.

Event #75: $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em witnessed two Indian teams, Team Tumboli (Zarvan Tumboli and Premnath Kasinath) and Team Goindi (Abhishek Goindi and PokerBaazi’s Varun Ganjoo), advance to Day 2. Their success fuels hopes of continuing India’s tradition of strong performances in this unique format.

Event #76: $10,000 Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold’em also features a trio of Indian players advancing to Day 2. Leading the charge is the $250K Super High Roller champion, Santhosh Suvarna, alongside fellow bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer and WSOP veteran Aditya S. Their combined experience and skill make them formidable contenders in this high-stakes event.

Day 35: What Happened?

In a story of perseverance and triumph, Japan’s Shiina Okamoto etched her name in poker history by clinching her first WSOP gold bracelet in Event #71: $1,000 Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship. After a heartbreaking runner-up finish in the same event last year, Okamoto returned with a vengeance, outlasting a record-breaking field of 1,245 competitors to seize the coveted title and a well-deserved $171,732.

The final showdown pitted Okamoto against the formidable poker personality and beloved player Jamie Kerstetter, who began the day as the chip leader. Kerstetter, boasting an extensive resume with nearly 200 cashes in WSOP events, proved to be a worthy adversary. However, Okamoto’s unwavering determination and skilful play ultimately prevailed, earning her the prestigious title and denying Kerstetter her first bracelet, who instead settled for a respectable $114,479 second-place prize.

Overwhelmed with joy, Okamoto expressed her excitement about sharing her victory with her friends and family back in Japan. “After finishing second last year and with all my supporters here, winning this year feels even more special,” she remarked through a translator, highlighting the significance of this win.

The final table also witnessed the impressive performances of other talented women in poker. Ceci Liao secured a third-place finish, taking home $81,573, while Linda Durden (4th for $58,910), Mor Kamber (5th for $43,125), and Cecile Ticherfatine (6th for $32,007) all earned their share of the prize pool.

Event #70: $400 Colossus No-Limit Hold’em drew a jaw-dropping 19,337 entries across three starting flights, making it the third-largest field in the event’s history. As Day 2 wrapped up, only 92 players remained—less than 4% of the day`s starting field—each aiming for the prestigious gold bracelet and a life-changing $501,250 top prize.

American player Joel VanEtten currently reigns supreme with a mountainous stack of 20.65 Million chips (52 BBs), followed closely by Andrew Dubuque (18.575 Million) and Justin Fawcett (17.50 Million).

However, the Indian poker community is abuzz with the remarkable performance of Avneesh Munjal, the sole Indian survivor who bagged a formidable 10.15 Million chips (34 BBs).

Munjal, a seasoned poker pro from Mumbai, showcased his skills on Day 2, notably clashing with Lukas Hafner in a pivotal hand in the latter half of the day. Munjal won a massive 3.059 million pot that significantly bolstered his chip stack and propelled him to 27th place overall in the day-end chip counts with a well above-average stack.

While the dream of an Indian bracelet victory in Event #70 is still alive, Munjal’s journey is already remarkable. He has secured his highest score at the 2024 WSOP, guaranteed at least $4,850 for reaching Day 3. However, the stakes are even higher, as a deep run could result in his biggest WSOP payday and a career-best live score.

Unfortunately, Munjal’s fellow Indian contenders, who also qualified for Day 2, were eliminated, all with a substantial cash prize. Abhishek Paul was the last Indian to hit the rail, finishing in 120th place for $4,140 (~₹3.46 Lakhs). Other notable Indian finishes include Anju Abrol (214th for $3,560; ~₹2.97 Lakhs), Paawan Bansal (282nd for $3,080; ~₹2.57 Lakhs), Young Gun Gaurav Sood (511th for $1,840; ~₹1.54 Lakhs), WSOP bracelet winner Kartik Ved (622nd for $1,490; ~₹1.24 Lakhs), Ashish Ahuja (844th for $1,230; ~₹1.03 Lakhs), Gaurav Chauhan (1,094th for $1,050; ~₹88,000), and Uday Kwatra (1,923rd for $840; ~₹70,000).

As Day 3 approaches, the excitement builds with a field that includes former bracelet winners and established players such as Men Nguyen (10.05 Million), 2004 WSOP Main Event Champion Greg Raymer (8.10 Million), Jason Simon (7.475 Million), and Ari Engel (4.40 Million).

The penultimate day of Event #73: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha, concluded after an intense eight-hour battle, leaving just five players standing in this prestigious and second-most expensive four-card tournament of the 2024 WSOP. With an impressive 476 entries and a colossal $11,186,000 prize pool, the stakes are higher than ever for the five players heading into the final day.

David Eldridge emerged as the dominant force, amassing a commanding 23.40 Million chip stack. Ethan Cahn trails in second place with 17.55 Million, followed closely by Yang Wang with 12.25 Million. Poker legends Brian Rast (9.45 Million) and Juha Helppi (8.775 Million) round out the final five, all guaranteed at least $524,911. However, their sights are set on the top prize of $2,246,728 and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet that awaits the ultimate champion.

The day began with 34 hopefuls returning to the felt, but the action was swift and brutal as the field rapidly dwindled. Early casualties included notable players like Noah Schwartz (34th for $60,672), Tom Dwan (33rd for $60,672), Cong Pham (32nd for $60,672), Indo-American Shaurabh Sharma (31st for $71,297), and Sean Winter (30th for $71,297).

As the day progressed, several bracelet winners also exited the tournament, including Indo-American Anuj Agarwal (8th for $215,563), Eelis Parssinen (10th for $130,629), Joni Jouhkimainen (12th for $104,659), Alex Livingston (17th for $85,519), Richard Gryko (18th for $85,519), Kahle Burns (20th for $85,519), Erick Lindgren (21st for $85,519), Aaron Katz (24th for $71,297), and Joao Vieira (27th for $71,297).

Day 2 of Event #74: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship saw the field narrow down from 167 to 18 hopefuls, all vying for the prestigious WSOP gold bracelet and the $376,476 top prize.

Todd Ivens leads the charge with a commanding 1.190 Million chips (30 BBs), but he faces fierce competition. Andrey Zhigalov trails closely behind with 983,000 chips (25 BBs). Jared Talarico (963,000) and Todd Brunson (859,000) are also in the mix, occupying the third and fourth positions on the current leaderboard standings, respectively.

Day 2 of the tournament was marked by high tension as the money bubble approached, guaranteeing the top 26 players at least $20,000. The drama unfolded dramatically, with six all-ins miraculously surviving across 90 minutes and nearly 40 hands, heightening the suspense. The tension broke when Indo-British player Suketu Patel became the unfortunate last player to fall short of the money, his exit ensuring that the remaining competitors secured their cash payouts.

Day 1 chip leader Ali Eslami also met the ill fate of falling short of the money, but many notable players secured their share, including Xixiang Luo (19th for $20,000), Christian Roberts (21st for $20,000), Chris Vitch (22nd for $20,000), Adam Friedman (25th for $20,000) and recent bracelet winner Dario Sammartino (26th for $20,000).

Day 1 of Event #75: $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em was a spectacle, drawing an impressive 1,437 teams, outshining last year’s 1,282 and generating a massive $1,264,560 prize pool. The energy was palpable as teams donned matching attire, embodying the camaraderie and competitive spirit of tag team poker.

After 11 levels of intense play, Derek Stark and his teammate emerged as chip leaders with a commanding 485,000 chips. Close behind were Ivan Rezzonico and Alejandro Lococo (331,500), Charlton Zhu and Nick Bond (319,500), and Kyle Cartwright and Scott Stuart (302,500), all topping the 300,000 mark. With 292 teams remaining and only 216 set to cash, Day 2 promises a dramatic race to the money bubble.

Indian teams also made their mark on Day 1. Team Tumboli, consisting of Zarvan Tumboli and Premnath Kasinath, secured their spot in Day 2 with 121,500 chips. Team Goindi, featuring Abhishek Goindi and PokerBaazi’s Varun Ganjoo, also advanced – their chip count was yet to be published at the time of publishing this report.

The field of Day 2 contenders also includes notable duos like Rachel Arieh and Josh Arieh (151,000) and Jason Wheeler and Anthony Nardi (166,000).

The opening day of Event #76, the $10,000 Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold’em concluded with a bang, leaving 236 players hungry for the mystery bounties that await on Day 2. Out of an initial 965 entrants, these skilled players battled their way through 15 Levels, each vying for the grand $1,018,933 top prize and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet.

Matthew Beinner emerged as the chip leader, amassing a formidable 1.090 Million chips. Triple crown winner Roberto Romanello trails close behind with 868,000 chips, tipping past poker legends Stephen Chidwick (825,000) and Isaac Haxton (669,000) in the day-end chip counts.

The allure of the mystery bounty format attracted a diverse and talented field, including a strong contingent of Indian players. Santhosh Suvarna, fresh off his victory in Event #55: $250,000 Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em, bagged 323,000 chips, positioning himself well for Day 2. Fellow bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer also secured a healthy 181,000 chips, while WSOP veteran Aditya S bagged 43,000 chips. Nathan Rao was also in the mix but failed to bag up for Day 2.

The Indian presence extends beyond national borders, with Indian-origin players Chander Jain (258,000), Sameer Desai (206,000), Harsukhpaul Sangha (176,000), and Eshaan Bhalla (138,000) all advancing to Day 2 with workable stacks.

Adding to the star power of the event, nearly all the winners of the 2024 WSOP High Roller events have advanced, including $50,000 champion Sergio Aido (495,000) and $100,000 bracelet holder Chris Hunichen (419,000).

The field also boasts renowned players like Shaun Deeb (483,000), Chris Brewer (452,000), Joao Vieira (350,000), Adrian Mateos (338,000), Dan Smith (336,000), and Kristen Foxen (210,000).

The excitement doesn’t stop there. 2023 WSOP Main Event champion Espen Jorstad (122,000) and Poker Hall of Famers Jen Harman (399,000), Erik Seidel (271,000), 7-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu (198,000), and Johnny Chan (67,000) have all qualified for Day 2, each eager to etch their names further into poker history by securing another coveted bracelet.

Event #77: the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event (6-Handed) kicked off with a bang, drawing a field of 388 players hungry for the coveted gold bracelet and a share of the massive prize pool. As Day 1 concluded, 122 players remained, eager to return for Day 2 and battle it out for poker glory.

Patrick Moulder, fresh off his victory in Event #56: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw, seized the chip lead with a commanding stack of 388,500 (155 BBs). Close on his heels are Anthony Ribeiro (315,000) and Joshua Adcock (312,500).

The event attracted a constellation of poker stars, all eager to test their skills in this unique mixed-game format. Notable players with healthy stacks include Allan Le (290,000), David “ODB” Baker (264,000), Scott Bohlman (246,000), Joey Couden (219,000) and Wing Liu (211,500).

The remaining field also boasts a multitude of bracelet winners, such as Allan Le (290,000), David “ODB” Baker (264,000), Scott Bohlman (246,000), Joey Couden (219,000) and Wing Liu (211,500), all boasting impressive stacks. The remaining field also includes a multitude of bracelet winners, such as Ryan Laplante (35,500), Eoghan O’Dea (33,000), poker legend Phil Hellmuth (25,000), and Jerry Wong (25,000), promising a high level of competition as the tournament progresses.

With re-entry permitted through the end of Level 12 on Day 2, the tournament is poised for a dramatic shake-up. Moreover, players who busted on Day 1 have the opportunity to re-enter. With two re-entries allowed per player, the total entries have already surpassed last year’s 377, promising to substantially exceed previous participation records!

Day 36: What’s Happening?

Day 36 of the 2024 WSOP promises a trifecta of excitement as three bracelets are set to be awarded!

The action kicks off with Day 3 of Event #70: $400 Colossus No-Limit Hold’em at 12 PM (local time) on July 2. The 92 remaining players will start at Level 33 with blinds at 200,000/400,000/400,000, battling through 40-minute levels with 15-minute breaks every three levels. The poker world is on edge, anticipating the crowning of a new champion who will take home the coveted bracelet and a life-changing $501,250 top prize. All eyes are on Avneesh Munjal—will he secure India’s second bracelet of the series?

The final day of Event #73: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha (8-Handed) promises high-stakes drama as five elite players, including Brian Rast (vying for his seventh bracelet), return to the Horseshoe Event Center at 3 PM (local time), with 5:20 minutes left in Level 28 at blinds of 125,000/250,000 and a 250,000 big blind ante. With millions on the line and blinds at 125,000/250,000, every decision is crucial. Catch the action live on PokerGO to witness these titans in action.

The prestigious Event #74: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship enters Day 3 at 1 PM (local time) at the Horseshoe Las Vegas Event Center with 18 players returning. The stakes are high as these seasoned pros resume at Level 18 with limits set at 20,000-40,000, battling down to a champion.

Day 2 of Event #75: $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold’em, a three-day event, kicks off with 292 teams vying for a spot in the money. With only 216 teams guaranteed a payday, the bubble tension is palpable. The action resumes at Level 12 with blinds at 1,000/2,500 and a 2,500 big blind ante. Eleven one-hour levels of play are scheduled, with breaks only for color-ups. Can Team Tumboli (Zarvan Tumboli and Premnath Kasinath) or Team Goindi (Abhishek Goindi and PokerBaazi’s Varun Ganjoo) make a deep run?

Day 2 of Event #76: $10,000 Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold’em sees 236 players returning at 12 PM (local time), eager to unveil the lucrative mystery bounties. They’ll play down to five players through 40-minute levels, with 15-minute breaks every three levels and a 60-minute dinner break at Level 24 (6:30 PM). Starting at Level 16 with blinds at 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 big blind ante, the money bubble bursts at 145 players, and with bounties up for grabs after 2 PM, the action is sure to heat up.

The 122 remaining contenders in Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet return at 1 PM (local time) at the Horseshoe Event Center, resuming play in Level 12. Late registration remains open until Level 12 (2 PM). With the field potentially growing even larger, the competition promises to be fierce.

Two more events will shuffle up and deal on July 2. The popular Event #78: $1,000 Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold’em starts at 10 AM (local time), followed by Event #79: $50,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha at 2 PM (local time).

Here’s what went down on Day 35.

Content & Images Courtesy: World Series of Poker

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