The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, began Wednesday with the first of four Day 1 starting flights. The $10,000 buy-in no-limit Texas Hold ’em freezeout tournament is set to attract thousands of players from around the world who buy in directly, or qualify via live or online satellite tournaments.
Will 2024 Set Another Main Event Record?
The the 2006 main event attracted 8,773 entrants (the year Jamie Gold won the tournament) – a record that stood for 17 years before being surpassed last year when the Main Event smashed the record with 10,043 entrants. Daniel Weinman emerged victorious, claiming a $12.1 million prize.
With increased turnout across the WSOP events this summer, many predict that 2024 could break the previous record again. The final numbers will be confirmed when registration closes on Day 2d on July 8th.
Early Excitement – First Hand Bustout
The tournament started dramatically at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, with two players eliminated on the first hand.
In one notable hand, amateur David Williamson knocked out poker streamer Travis “DramaticDegen” Darroch, who was playing the Main Event for the first time.
- Pre-flop: Darroch raised with [pokercards cards=”Th Tc” deck=”4 color” size=”small”], called by two opponents.
- Flop:[pokercards cards=”Jc Td 8h” deck=”4 color” size=”small”]
- Turn: [pokercards cards=”Jc Td 8h 8c” deck=”4 color” size=”small”], giving Darroch a full house.
- River: [pokercards cards=”Jc Td 8h 8c Ad” deck=”4 color” size=”small”]. Williamson bet big, Darroch jammed all in, and Williamson called with “the nuts” Quad 8’s [pokercards cards=”8d 8s” deck=”4 color” size=”small”] leading to Darroch’s elimination. Williamson doubled his starting stack from T60,000 to T120,000 chips.
2024 WSOP Main Event Schedule
| Date | Day | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, July 3 | Day 1a | Noon |
| Thursday, July 4 | Day 1b | Noon |
| Friday, July 5 | Day 1c | Noon |
| Saturday, July 6 | Day 1d | Noon |
| Sunday, July 7 | Day 2abc | Noon |
| Monday, July 8 | Day 2d | Noon |
| Tuesday, July 9 | Day 3 | Noon |
| Wednesday, July 10 | Day 4 | Noon |
| Thursday, July 11 | Day 5 | Noon |
| Friday, July 12 | Day 6 | Noon |
| Saturday, July 13 | Day 7 | Noon |
| Sunday, July 14 | Day 8 (Play to 9) | Noon |
| Tuesday, July 16 | Final Table Day 1 | TBD |
| Wednesday, July 17 | Final Table Day 2 | TBD |
History of the WSOP Main Event
The Main Event has a rich history, dating back to 1970 when Johnny Moss won the inaugural tournament (through a vote). Moss also triumphed in 1971 and 1974, becoming one of only two players to win the event multiple times, along with the card-playing legend Stu Ungar.
“Legends” of the Main Event
- Phil Hellmuth Jr: Defeated Johnny Chan in 1989, preventing Chan’s three-peat, and now holds 17 WSOP bracelets.
- Chris Moneymaker (2003): His victory spurred the “poker boom,” – with the “Moneymaker effect” increasing the poker’s global popularity.
- Greg Raymer (2004): Won $5 million, and the field size tripled from the previous year.
- Joe Hachem (2005): “Aussie Aussie Aussie” – Popular Australian pro Joe Hachem triumphed over a massive field size.
The 2024 WSOP Main Event continues to be the tournament where poker legends are made. As 2024 unfolds, the poker community and industry watch eagerly to see if another attendance record will be shattered.
An experienced iGaming commentator and analyst based in New York City - Jenny reports on regulation and gambling industry news and events.