2024 WSOP Paradise: Johannes Straver Wins First-Ever Bracelet in Event #12: $10K GGMillion$ NLH Championship for $807,430

The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise concluded in breathtaking fashion at the luxurious Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas, with Johannes Straver (cover image) from the Netherlands delivering a career-defining performance to claim his maiden WSOP bracelet in Event #12: $10,000 GGMillion$ NLH Championship. Straver conquered a star-studded field of 532 entrants to secure his first GGMillion$ title and a massive top prize of $807,430.

Straver faced fierce opposition, culminating in an electrifying heads-up duel against Spain’s Jon Vallinas. Despite Vallinas putting up an incredible fight, Straver emerged victorious, leaving Vallinas to claim a well-earned $622,340 for his runner-up finish—marking the biggest payday of his career.

Johannes Straver has been active on the live felts since 2016, added this incredible victory to his poker résumé. This win eclipsed his previous career-best of $411,279, earned as the runner-up in the 2022 WSOP Event #81: $5K Freezeout NLH. And last year, he also finished sixth in the 2023 WSOP Event #84: $50K NLH High Roller for $400,562.

This marked his second cash of the series, after Event #9: $25K Super Main Event, where he finished 237th for $50,000.

Adding another feather to his cap, Straver has now crossed the $4 Million mark in recorded lifetime earnings, catapulting him to #6 on the Netherlands’ all-time money list.

India’s poker contingent continued to make waves at the WSOP Paradise, with three standout performances in this event. POY#18 Vinay B and veteran poker pro Sriharsha Doddapaneni proudly made it to Day 3. Despite their early eliminations on the final day, both players cashing for $26,920 (~₹22.87 Lakhs) in 42nd and 44th place, respectively.

Vinay B also added another cash to his series tally. He finished 64th in Event #14: Super Saver $1 Million Invitational, earning $3,200 (~₹2.72 Lakhs) and bringing his total winnings at WSOP Paradise to $30,120 (~₹25.69 Lakhs).

Meanwhile, Krishna Madhariwar showcased a solid performance, finishing 75th in Event #12 for $22,190 (~₹18.85 Lakhs). This marked his sole score of the series but was a commendable achievement against such a stacked field.

GGMillion$ NLH Championship Event Highlights

The $10,000 buy-in GGMillion$ NLH Championship delivered three days of non-stop poker excitement, transforming the Atlantis poker room into a battleground. The impressive turnout generated a staggering $5.32 Million prize pool, with just 75 players securing a piece of the action. Even the min-cash of $22,190 was a memorable takeaway from this high-octane event.

The payout list read legendary names and past bracelet winners leaving their mark. Young Sik Eum claimed 12th place for $58,310, while Noah Schwartz finished 18th for $39,620. 2020 GGPoker WSOP Online Main Event champion Stoyan Madanzhiev secured 20th place for $39,620, with Joey Weissman in 23rd for $32,660. Two-time bracelet winner Jesse Lonis exited in 26th for $32,660, and four-time bracelet winner Georgios Sotiropoulos ended in 37th for $26,920. Notably, 2019 WSOP Main Event champion Hossein Ensan wrapped up in 40th for $26,920.

Final Table Chip Count

1. Johannes Straver – 14,500,000
2. Fabian Niederreiter – 9,100,000
3. Arthur Conan – 8,400,000
4. Jon Vallinas – 6,500,000
5. Wookuk Lee – 5,700,000
6. Phil Hellmuth – 3,000,000
7. Rui Neves – 2,300,000
8. Abdelhakim Zoufri – 2,200,000
9. Marc Rivera – 1,200,000

Final Table Recap

The final table action began with Marc Rivera busting in ninth place, his falling to Fabian Niederreiter’s . Poker legend Phil Hellmuth followed soon after, his bold shove on the river with a missed straight draw losing to Jon Vallinas’ rivered pair of aces, sending the “Poker Brat” home in eighth.

Jon Vallinas dominated the table, eliminating Rui Neves (7th) and Abdelhakim Zoufri (6th), both falling victim to Vallinas’ relentless aggression and strong hands. Wookuk Lee‘s was cracked by Arthur Conan’s flush, leaving Lee out in fifth. Arther Conan himself departed in the fourth after missing a crucial flush draw against Vallinas.

The final trio brought the fireworks. Short-stacked Johannes Straver wasn’t ready to fold into obscurity. First, he doubled through Jon Vallinas with pocket kings. Then, he doubled again, out-kicking Vallinas’ pocket tens with his ace-jack. Niederreiter, meanwhile, slipped into hot water after a key loss to Vallinas’ two-pair. On the brink, Fabian Niederreiter shoved with , but Straver’s proved too much. The flop offered Niederreiter hope, but the turn and river delivered a straight to Straver, sealing Niederreiter’s fate in third place.

Heads-up began with Johannes Straver commanding a stack of 37.30 Million against Jon Vallinas’ 15.90 Million. Vallinas, the scrappy underdog, clawed back with well-timed aggression and a sneaky straight, chipping away at Straver’s lead. But Straver had no plans to relinquish control.

The final hand was nothing short of electric. Jon Vallinas limped in with , and Straver raised holding . Vallinas called, and the flop gave him top pair but left Straver with a flush draw. Straver’s continuation bet drew an all-in shove from Vallinas. With zero hesitation, Straver called, and the turn brought the , completing his flush and leaving Vallinas drawing dead. The river was academic, and Straver emerged victorious, clinching the title in a dramatic and stylish finish.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Johannes Straver – $807,430
2. Jon Vallinas – $622,340
3. Fabian Niederreiter – $479,890
4. Arthur Conan – $370,040
5. Wookuk Lee – $285,340
6. Abdelhakim Zoufri – $220,030
7. Rui Neves – $169,660
8. Phil Hellmuth – $130,830
9. Marc Rivera – $100,880

Content & Images Courtesy: WSOP & PokerNews