2024 WSOP Paradise: Pablo Silva Claims First WSOP Bracelet and $200K Payday in Event #14: Super Saver $1 Million Invitational

The Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas provided a picturesque backdrop for the final days of the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Paradise, where the penultimate Event #14: Super Saver $1 Million Invitational unfolded. It was here that Brazil’s Pablo Silva (cover image), a name well-respected in the poker world, achieved a career milestone by clinching his first WSOP bracelet along with a $200,000 payday.

For the 35-year-old poker pro, the journey to this victory has been years in the making. Known for his exploits on the international circuit, Silva’s accomplishments include a $1 Million payday at the partypoker MILLIONS South America Main Event and has eight six-figure scores under his belt, including $168,471 for his victory in the EPT Prague €10,200 NLH. His prowess isn’t limited to live events; online, he has conquered prestigious tournaments like the GGPoker Super MILLION$. With this latest achievement, Silva’s lifetime tournament earnings now exceed $3.60 Million—a testament to his consistency and skill.

But the road to this win was far from easy. The Super Saver $1 Million Invitational, a high-stakes freezeout event, attracted a competitive field of 487 entries, building a $970,000 prize pool. The exclusive tournament welcomed some of the best players, including WSOP bracelet holders, GGPoker package winners, and $100K Package Early Bird qualifiers. With only the top 85 players earning a minimum cash of $3,200, every pot counted, and each decision carried weight.

Silva entered Day 2 among the 24 remaining hopefuls, each determined to outlast the competition. The pace was relentless, with several big names exiting before the final table. Day 1 chip leader Felipe Ketzer bowed out in 17th place for $7,700, while Timothy Adams was eliminated in 13th place for $9,700. As the field thinned, it became clear that the final table would feature no easy opponents.

The final table was a battleground, and Silva faced his toughest challenge in the heads-up clash against Matthew Belcher from the UK. Belcher, a formidable opponent with a strong tournament résumé, put up a spirited fight but ultimately had to settle for second place and $116,200. Silva’s composure and tactical decisions in the final moments of play secured him the coveted bracelet and the winner’s share of the prize pool.

India’s Vinay Boob was one of the early hopefuls, making a deep run on Day 1. However, he bowed out in 64th place, earning a $3,200 payout (~₹2.72 Lakhs) as his first score of the series.

Other notable players who faced early elimination included Konstantin Maslak (72nd), Isaac Haxton (66th), Brian Kim (60th), Alex Foxen (59th), Dietrich Fast (57th) each for $3,200; Ognyan Dimov (55th), David Miscikowski (54th), Eric Wasserson (51st), Alexander Keating (42nd), Joseph Cheong (39th) each for $4,200; and Aleksejs Ponakovs (26th for $6,400).

Day 2 began with 24 players remaining, all hungry for the title. The field quickly narrowed as the action intensified. Notable casualties included Gleb Tremzin (24th) and Chris “Big Huni” Hunichen (20th) for $6,400 each, Day 1 chip leader Felipe Ketzer (17th for $7,700), and Timothy Adams (13th for $9,700).

Finally, with the elimination of Walid Mubarak in tenth place for $13,000, the stage was set for a thrilling final table showdown.

Final Table Chip Count

1. Jovan Kenjic – 2,220,000
2. Pablo Silva – 2,030,000
3. Benjamin Miner – 1,850,000
4. Matas Cikinas – 1,585,000
5. Christoph Vogelsang – 900,000
6. Michele Lawson – 770,000
7. Neil Warren – 730,000
8. Michael Malm – 515,000
9. Matthew Belcher – 500,000

Final Table Recap

The final table was a high-stakes battleground, and Silva was in his element. He orchestrated a series of impressive eliminations that left no doubt about his poker mastery. Holding , he delivered the final blow to Neil Warren, whose couldn’t compete, sending him out in ninth place.

Next, Michele Lawson, one of two WSOP bracelet winners at the final table, saw her tournament hopes dashed in eighth place. Her ran into Silva’s which spiked an Ace on the flop, ending her run.

The eliminations continued at a relentless pace, with WSOP Super Main Event fourth-place finisher Christoph Vogelsang and Jovan Kenjic quickly making their exits in seventh and sixth places, respectively.

With only five players remaining, Silva’s dominance showed no signs of waning. His cracked Michael Malm‘s , with flopped trip treys. This hand marked the elimination of the last remaining bracelet winner, paving the way for Silva’s rise to the top.

Matthew Belcher then seized the initiative, eliminating Benjamin Miner and Matas Cikinas in fourth and third places, setting up a tense heads-up duel against Silva.

The heads-up match was a rapid but decisive clash. On the final hand, Silva limped in and called Matthew Belcher‘s all-in bet from the big blind. Silva’s held firm against Belcher’s on the board, earning him the coveted WSOP bracelet and a place in poker history.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Pablo Silva – $200,000
2. Matthew Belcher – $116,200
3. Matas Cikinas – $71,900
4. Benjamin Miner – $58,200
5. Michael Malm – $48,500
6. Jovan Kenjic – $38,800
7. Christoph Vogelsang – $29,100
8. Michele Lawson – $19,400
9. Neil Warren – $16,400

Content & Images Courtesy: WSOP

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