2024 WSOP Daily Recap: Carsten Heidemann & Matthew Alsante Win Maiden Bracelets; Kavin Shah & Tarun Goyal Keep India`s Hopes Alive in Main Event

Day 44 of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas concluded in the early hours of July 11, marking another day of thrilling action and remarkable achievements.

Two players secured their place in poker history by winning their first-ever WSOP bracelets. Carsten Heidemann triumphed in Event #84: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em, defeating Ramana Epparla heads-up to claim the coveted prize. Meanwhile, Matthew Alsante triumphed over a field of 1,042 entrants in Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, besting the formidable Punnat Punsri.

The Indian poker community also had reason to celebrate, as WSOP bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer and Aditya S cashed in Event #87, adding to the growing list of Indian successes at this year’s WSOP.

The spotlight remains on Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship, which saw the dramatic bursting of the money bubble on Day 44. Out of the four Indian players who started the day, two—Kavin Shah and Tarun Goyal—advanced to Day 5, holding the hopes of their country on their shoulders. Shah’s impressive performance landed him the 70th-largest stack among the remaining 464 players, putting him in a strong position for a deep run. Goyal also bagged a fighting stack, ready to battle it out on Day 5.

While Santhosh Suvarna and Siddarth Singhvi didn’t make the cut, they both celebrated their first-ever WSOP Main Event cashes, marking a significant milestone in their poker journeys.

Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha also saw Indian players make their mark on Day 1B. Srinivas Balasubramanian bagged the 28th largest stack, leading the Indian charge alongside Kunal Punjwani and PokerBaazi Team Pro Abhishek Goindi. Their impressive performances keep the dream of another WSOP bracelet for India alive.

Day 44: What Happened?

Day 4 of Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship has concluded, leaving a trail of broken dreams and soaring hopes. The field has been narrowed down to a mere 464 players, each vying for the coveted title and the life-changing prize money that comes with it.

Emerging from the chaos as the chip leader was none other than Stephen Song, the 2022 GPI Player of the Year, clutching a colossal stack of 4.74 Million chips (190 BBs). His dominance is undeniable, but the competition remains fierce. Spanish poker sensation Adrian Mateos (4.50 million) and William Beverley (4.465 million) are breathing down his neck, eager to snatch the chip lead away.

Biao Ding (4.265 Million) and Nazar Buhaiov (3.875 Million) are also in the mix, and their formidable stacks are bulging with potential. The Main Event has become a battleground for poker’s elite, each vying for a place in history.

One of the most captivating storylines of the day was the audacious play of Jesse Lonis, a young phenom who burst onto the scene with a 25th-place finish in the 2021 WSOP Main Event. Early on Day 4, Lonis stunned the table with a daring ace-high bluff, solidifying his reputation as a fearless and skilled player. With a healthy 2.52 Million chips in his arsenal, Lonis is poised for a deep run in this record-breaking tournament.

But perhaps the most intriguing player left in the field is the poker G.O.A.T. himself, Phil Ivey. Fresh off his 11th bracelet victory, Ivey is still in the hunt with 650,000 chips. The poker world is watching with bated breath to see if he add a Main Event title to his illustrious career.

With 1,529 players returning on Day 4 and 1,518 places paid, the money bubble was set to burst quickly, kicking off the intense hand-for-hand play.

Around 1:45 PM (local time), nearly two hours into Day 4, six players were tethering on the brink of elimination one spot from the money across separate tables. As Jack Effel and his crew moved through the room, a massive pre-flop pot was brewing. Lucas Reeves seven-bet jammed his 120 big blinds with , only to be snap-called by the larger-stacked Marcelo Tadeu Aziz Junior holding . The board fell , sending Reeves out on the bubble. However, there was still a chance he could split the first post-bubble payout if another player busted simultaneously at a different table.

THE @WSOP $10,000 MAIN EVENT BUBBLE HAS BURST! ????

A SEVEN-BET SHOVE AND SNAP CALL!? ????

You can watch the 2024 @WSOP all summer long on @PokerGo pic.twitter.com/ebm5NEuz0w

— PokerNews (@PokerNews) July 10, 2024

At another table, a big stack Terrance Reid opened to 16,000 with from the middle position. Christian Stratmeyer ammed for 57,000 with . Committed to the pot, Reid called and flopped trips, knocking out Stratmeyer as the co-bubble.

The dual busts meant Reeves and Stratmeyer split the 1,518th place money, each taking home $7,500. Through a high-card draw, Stratmeyer won a free entry into the 2025 WSOP Main Event and was declared the official money bubble of the 2024 WSOP Main Event.

Four Indian players entered Day 4 with high hopes. As the chips flew and the blinds escalated, two players survived through, storming into Day 5.

Kavin Shah, starting with 554,000 chips (69 BBs), proved his mettle. While details of his early battles went unreported, one hand stood out: a decisive confrontation where his flopped a set on the board against his opponent’s , propelling his stack to a commanding 2 Million. Shah ultimately bagged 2.23 Million chips (89 BBs), positioning him as the 70th largest stack heading into Day 5.

Tarun Goyal also kept his WSOP Main Event dreams alive. Starting Day 4 with 740,000 chips (93 BBs), he ended the day with 1.15 Million chips (46 BBs). With his first WSOP Main Event cash secured, Goyal will be aiming to build his slightly below-average and continue his deep run in the tournament.

Santhosh Suvarna, a charismatic figure who captured the hearts of poker fans, experienced a wild ride on Day 4. His chip count fluctuated dramatically, peaking at 775,000 after the money bubble burst before plummeting to 160,000. Despite a valiant effort to fight back, Suvarna’s journey ended in a heartbreaking hand during the penultimate level of the day. Facing a raise and a call, Suvarna three-bet jammed his remaining 65,000 with , only to be isolated by Joe Hamilton‘s dominating . The board offered no salvation for Suvarna. However, Suvarna can still celebrate his first-ever Main Event cash, a significant achievement for any poker player. (His official finish and payout are yet to be updated by WSOP).

Siddarth Singhvi, making his WSOP debut, also bagged his first Main Event cash, finishing 1,388th for $15,000 (~₹12.53 Lakhs). This was Singhvi’s first live WSOP score, having previously cashed in two online events.

Several Indian-origin players, including Kalyan Chivukula (2.20 Million), Manas Gandhi (1.29 Million), Nitesh Rawtani (710,000), and Shashi Ramakrishna (480,000), also punched their tickets to Day 5.

Day 4 also marked the end of the road for several other talented Indian-origin players. Aayush Patel (756th for $27,500), Avi Mukherjee (793rd for $25,000), Tarun Gulati (890th for $22,500), Mrityunjay Jha (907th for $22,500), Rohit Mariwalla (1,014th for $17,500), Manpreet Bal (1,149th for $17,500), Hardik Vyas (1,231st for $17,500), Smit Trivedi (1,312th for $15,000), Rahul Jaisingh (1,348th for $15,000), Mayukh Chhibber (1,386th for $15,000), Ketan Shah (1,419th for $15,000), and Santhosh Amingad (1,484th for $15,000) all made deep runs but fell short of reaching the next stage.

Day 4 of the Main Event wasn’t just about the high-stakes drama and the bubble bursting. It was a day where poker legends and rising stars collided, creating unforgettable stories and unexpected turns.

One such story belonged to the enigmatic Tom Dwan, the online poker phenom. Dwan, whose last WSOP cash dated back to a fifth-place finish in the 2011 $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship, finally broke his Main Event drought, making his first-ever cash in this prestigious tournament. Dwan spent much of Day 4 under the bright lights of the feature table, showcasing his skills to a captivated audience. Though his run ended at the hands of High Roller champion Jans Arends in the Horseshoe ballroom, Dwan’s achievement marked a significant milestone in his already illustrious career.

Another inspiring figure on Day 4 was Cody Daniels, who continues to defy the odds and inspire the poker community. Daniels, battling a terminal illness, made his second consecutive deep run in the Main Event, a testament to his unwavering spirit and love for the game. Backed by the generous Alan Keating, Daniels played with remarkable determination, exceeding his 635th-place finish from last year by finishing in 590th place for $32,500.

“I mean, when I didn’t expect to be here this year or even play the tournament and then go back-to-back in the two biggest Mains of all time, it’s just pure elation,” Daniels shared following his elimination.

The day also saw the bittersweet departure of former Main Event champions Espen Jorstad (1,393rd for $15,000) and Daniel Weinman (1,357th for $15,000), who both min-cashed but fell short of repeating their past glories. Their predecessor, Koray Aldemir (2021), suffered a heartbreaking exit in the final level, his pocket kings running into a cruel pair of aces. Later in the same level, 2015 champion Joe McKeehen, the last remaining Main Event winner, was also eliminated, leaving the field wide open for a new champion to emerge. Aldemir and McKeehen’s finishes and payouts have yet to be disclosed by the WSOP.

But while some dreams were shattered, others soared. Players like Aleksejs Ponakovs (2.935 Million), Josh Reichard (2.54 Million), and 2019 WSOP Main Event third-place finisher Alex Livingston (1.995 Million) bagged massive stacks, positioning themselves for a deep run. Ren Lin (1.92 Million) and reigning GPI Player of the Year Bin Weng (655,000) also joined the ranks of the chip leaders, making them serious contenders as the Main Event approaches its critical stages.

Even the world of poker commentary had its moment in the spotlight, as Tony Dunst (1.335 Million) and Maria Ho (340,000) made solid runs, proving that they are more than just voices behind the microphone.

The Day 4 feature table live stream is available for replay on PokerGO, and an hour-long preview can be watched below.

In a heart-warming underdog story, Carsten Heidemann, a recreational poker player from Germany, defied the odds to win his first-ever WSOP bracelet in Event #84: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em. Outlasting a staggering field of 6,628 entries, Heidemann pocketed a life-changing $343,010, the biggest score of his career.

A regular in his local poker club’s monthly games, Heidemann’s WSOP debut was a “once-in-a-lifetime” deal with his wife, contingent on him cashing in the Main Event. A devastating Day 1 exit from the Main, losing with the top set to a backdoor flush, left him heartbroken. Little did he know that this setback would pave the way for a bracelet victory in the Ultra Stack.

The event created a massive $3.38 Million prize pool, with 791 players cashing in and the money bubble bursting on Day 1. Six Indian players made their mark on Day 2. Yudhishter Jaswal led the Indian contingent with a 57th-place finish, earning ₹5.23 lakhs (~$6,260). Avneesh Munjal (72nd for $4,440; ~₹3.71 Lakhs), Vinay Patel (85th for $3,790; ~₹3.16 Lakhs), Rajesh Goyal (221st for $2,480; ~₹2.07 Lakhs), Raja Puttamsetty (222nd for $2,480; ~₹2.07 Lakhs), and Muskan Sethi (533rd for $1,460; ~₹1.22 Lakhs) also made cash finishes. WSOP bracelet winner Abhinav Iyer scraped through the money line despite busting on Day 1B, earning $1,201 (~₹1 Lakh).

After a disappointing Day 1 exit from the Main Event, Heidemann turned his attention to the Ultra Stack, where he faced a challenging final day, starting with only ten big blinds. Day 3 was all about the big prizes, and Heidemann capitalized on key moments to capture the pots that mattered most. Despite starting with a short stack, he managed to survive and thrive as others fell around him.

As the tournament progressed to its final day, the intensity escalated, with players battling for the top prizes and the coveted WSOP bracelet. Players like Panagiotis Mavritsakis (11th for $26,910), Ricardo Lopez (12th for $21,330), Roberto Antelo (13th for $21,330), Ricky Robinson (14th for $17,040), Daniel Rezaei (15th for $17,040), Day 2 chip leader Axel Orellana (16th for $17,040), Indian-American Karanvir Singh (17th for $17,040), Michael Gehrmann (18th for $13,720), and Percy Jacobs (19th for $13,720) all made their mark before bowing out. Lawrence Barber narrowly missed the final table, finishing in 10th place with $26,910.

The final table featured players from diverse backgrounds, with early exits by Ha Duong (9th for $34,220) and Arnold Park (8th for $43,870). Notably, several participants achieved career-best scores, including Juan Garibaldi (7th for $56,670), Robert Szumowski (6th for $73,780), and Jason Wester (5th for $96,790). Phuoc Nguyen claimed the first six-figure prize of $127,950 for his impressive fourth-place finish.

The final table atmosphere was electric as Albyn Bello, fueled by the enthusiastic support of his friend Ray St Jacques (who also cashed in the event, finishing 58th with $6,260), battled his way to an impressive third-place finish, earning a well-deserved $170,410.

The heads-up showdown saw Carsten Heidemann facing Ramana Epparla, who had dominated the final table. Despite Epparla’s initial chip lead, Heidemann’s aggressive play and strategic moves turned the tide. Heidemann gained a commanding lead after winning two crucial pots and ultimately emerged victorious in a swift 15-minute match. Epparla took home $228,670 in second place.

Heidemann expressed his disbelief and joy at winning his first WSOP bracelet and the life-changing $343,010 prize. “I have to sleep now and think about it. Tomorrow evening, I am flying back to Germany, and then I will calm down and realize what really happened here today,” he shared.

Heidemann is also thrilled about the prospect of returning to play the Main Event next year, this time with a good friend who couldn’t join this year’s record-breaking event. Adding a touch of sentimentality to his victory, Heidemann used a rare 25-euro coin commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall as his card protector. The coin serves as a reminder of the friends and family he was separated from before the Wall fell, making his win all the more poignant.

After an intense over eight-hour battle on Day 2 of Event #87: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, Matthew Alsante emerged as the champion, claiming his first WSOP bracelet and a remarkable $785,486 prize. This victory signifies a true underdog story, as Alsante’s prior biggest cash win was less than the tournament’s buy-in.

The event, which attracted 1,041 players and generated a $4,788,600 prize pool, saw intense competition over two days. Alsante navigated through the field with skill and determination, ultimately facing Punnat Punsri heads-up for the title. Despite Punsri’s reputation and significant experience, with nearly $16 million in tournament earnings, ranking #1 on Thailand`s all-time money list, Alsante held his own and secured the victory. Punnat Punsri took home $523,648 for his impressive runner-up finish.

Alsante, who has gradually increased his commitment to poker over the past decade, shared his preference for smaller field events like this compared to the record-breaking Main Event, stating, “This I liked because it was a smaller field, and those can be easier to navigate.”

Despite the crowd favouring Punsri, Alsante remained unfazed. “I think it was fun, they were having fun, and I was dancing,” he said.

Looking ahead, Alsante plans to continue his poker journey, starting with Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship next. “After that, who knows?” he mused.

On Day 2 of the event, 88 players returned to the felt, each guaranteed a minimum payout of $9,952. Two Indian contenders, Abhinav Iyer and Aditya S, were among them.

Abhinav Iyer, already a WSOP bracelet winner, started Day 2 with a stack of 710,000 chips (28 BBs). After facing some setbacks, Iyer, who was down to 305,000 chips, doubled up in a crucial hand during the third level of the day (Level 24), where his held up against Brett Bassock’s after spiking a queen on the river, getting him back to 710,000.

However, Iyer`s impressive run came to an end two levels later. The hand in question saw Philip Wiszowaty raise to 160,000 from the hijack. Iyer moved all-in for 890,000 from the button, and Wiszowaty called. Iyer turned over against Wiszowaty’s . The board offered no help to Iyer, eliminating him in 26th place for $26,212 (~₹21.90 Lakhs), marking his highest score of the series thus far. This is Iyer’s 12th score at the 2024 WSOP, of which six have come in live bracelet events and the other six in online events, taking his total for the series to $57,372 (~₹47.94 Lakhs).

Aditya S, another talented Indian player, started Day 2 with 525,000 chips. Unfortunately, his run ended in 48th place when his couldn’t outrace Ueberton De Aquino’s . Despite the early exit, S’s performance earned him $15,729 (~₹13.14 Lakhs)—his first score at the 2024 WSOP.

Other Indian players, Akshay Bharadwaj (109th) and the formidable Sriharsha Doddapaneni (142nd), also participated in the event, entering after their Main Event exits. While they didn’t make it to Day 2, they both earned $9,952 (~₹8.31 Lakhs) for their respective finishes.

The final day of the event was packed with action. Over half the field was eliminated early, leaving 39 players at the first break. Notable players like Rainer Kempe (65th for $12,109), Faraz Jaka (66th for $12,109), and Day 2 chip leader Felipe Boianovsky (52nd for $15,729) cashed out along the way.

The field was whittled down to a final table of nine after nine levels, with Owen Dodd`s (10th for $50,056) elimination.

The final table saw Matthew Alsante dominate, eliminating strong contenders like Patrick Leonard (8th for $82,862) and Hirokazu Kobayashi (7th for $108,895). A pivotal hand where Alsante rivered a straight doubled him up, handing him nearly 75% of the chips in play, and Philip Wiszowaty finished third for $372,446.

The heads-up battle between Alsante and Punnat Punsri proved to be a tense showdown, lasting for nearly an hour. The final hand unfolded on an ace-high flop, where Alsante’s second pair initially trailed Punsri’s top pair. However, the turn brought a seven, giving Alsante two pair and a decisive advantage. A blank river card sealed Alsante’s fate as the champion.

Day 1B of Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha drew a massive field of 2,582 entrants. After 17 levels of intense poker action, only 270 resilient players remained, each with their sights set on the prestigious gold bracelet.

Leading the charge is the Australian sensation Najeem Ajez, wielding a colossal 1.454 Million chip stack (145 BBs). Not far behind are Kao Saechao (1.364 Million) and Welker Mendes Demedeiros (1.357 Million), forming a formidable top three ready to conquer Day 2.

Among the survivors, a proud Indian contingent is making its presence felt, headlined by Srinivas Balasubramanian. The Chennai-based player, whose only prior WSOP score is a ninth-place finish in the 2018 WSOP Event #11: PLO GIANT – $365 Pot-Limit Omaha, ended the day in 28th place with a healthy 746,000 chips (75 BBs).

Balasubramanian is joined by fellow countrymen Kunal Punjwani (499,000) and PokerBaazi Team Pro Abhishek Goindi (307,000), ready to make India proud.

Adding to the Indian flavour are Indian-origin players Rajendara Dhar (878,000), Gajan Jeganathan (180,000), and Sameer Patel (70,000), all advancing to the next stage of the tournament.

But the competition is fierce, with poker heavyweights like Tyler Brown (1.239 Million) and Chance Kornuth (1.23 Million), who are both among the top six chip leaders, James Carroll (1.23 Million), and Giuseppe Pantaleo (1.187 Million), all holding strong in the top ten.

The field is packed with familiar faces, including Ryan Leng (780,000), Jake Schwartz (697,000), Leo Margets (508,000), Ryan Riess (445,000), Andrew Kelsall (328,000), Bryce Yockey (328,000), John Riordan (274,000), and the legendary JC Tran (153,000). And don’t forget Matt Glantz (15,000), who may be sitting at the bottom of the leaderboard but is known for his incredible comebacks.

The inaugural Event #88: $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship kicked off with a bang, drawing 158 elite players to the Paris Convention Center for a unique test of poker mastery across multiple disciplines.

After ten hours of intense play across nine levels, 76 players remain, led by Jordan Siegel with a commanding 336,500 chips. Mike Watson and Ali Eslami are also strong contenders, holding 332,500 and 282,500 chips, respectively.

This inaugural event, introduced this year on the growing popularity of the $1,500 Eight Game Mix, has proven to be a thrilling rollercoaster. The blend of No-Limit Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha with classic H.O.R.S.E. games led to dramatic swings and early eliminations, proving that adaptability is key in this challenging arena.

A star-studded field graced the tables, with poker luminaries like Yuri Dzivielevski (218,000) and Viktor Blom (180,000) proving their versatility by navigating the diverse games with skill. Even legends like Benny Glaser (82,500) and Daniel Negreanu (15,500 felt the heat, battling fiercely to advance to Day 2.

However, not everyone could withstand the pressure. Notable players like Mike Matusow, Dylan Weisman, Chris Moneymaker, Shaun Deeb, and Brad Ruben saw their journeys ending prematurely in the face of the Eight Game Mix’s unforgiving gauntlet.

Day 45: What’s Happening?

The 2024 WSOP continues its thrilling run on Day 45, with six bracelet events on the schedule, including one that will crown a new champion.

Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship enters Day 5 at 12 PM (local time) with 463 players remaining, all battling for the ultimate poker glory. The blinds will increase to 10,000/25,000 with a 25,000 big blind ante, adding to the pressure and forcing players to make bold moves. With five levels scheduled and a 75-minute dinner break after Level 23, Day 5 is poised to be a turning point in the Main Event.

Day 2 of Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha promises intense action as the remaining 463 players return to the Horseshoe Ballroom at 11 AM (local time) to compete for the title. The blinds will start at 5,000/10,000, and the 40-minute levels will ensure a fast-paced and exciting tournament.

Event #88: $10,000 Eight Game Mixed Championship resumes on Day 2 at 1 PM (local time), with mixed-game specialists facing blinds of 3,000/6,000 and big bet games at 1,000/1,500. Late entry will be available until the end of Level 10, potentially adding new challengers to the mix.

Day 45 also marks the beginning of three new events, each offering its own unique flavour of poker excitement. Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship, a new addition to the 2024 WSOP, kicks off with the first of two starting flights at 10 AM (local time). This four-day event allows for one re-entry per flight and Day 2 registration, providing ample opportunities for players to make their mark.

Event #90: $1,500 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha, a three-day event, starts at 12 PM (local time). Players will enjoy the fast-paced action of six-handed play and have two re-entry options to chase the title.

Finally, Event #91: $3,000 H.O.R.S.E. (8-Handed) commences at 2 PM (local time), testing players’ versatility across five different poker variants in a no-re-entry format, making every decision crucial.

Here’s what went down on Day 44.

Content & Images Courtesy: World Series of Poker

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