Records broke left and right at the excellent 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP). Team India distinguished itself among the world headlines with a performance that will live in poker history. With an impressive 219 cashes this year, Indian players exceeded their record of 125 cashes in 2022 and had their best WSOP showing ever. They carried home two gold bracelets and made it to eight final tables. India boldly claimed the #7 for WSOP earnings by nation and the #9 slot for bracelets won by nation.
Fantastic Performances
Santhosh Suvarna and Aditya Agarwal, each of whom won a highly sought-after gold bracelet, emphasized Team India’s achievement. Further proving India’s presence in the worldwide poker scene were Kavin Shah, Nipun Java, Siddarth Singhvi, and Kartik Ved.
Santhosh Suvarna: Serial Series Star
Rising as the series’ star with $6.06 million (~₹50.66 crores) from five cashes—including a bracelet triumph and a final table finish—Santhosh Suvarna is His success paled second to the $10.02 million Main Event champion, Jonathan Tamayo.
- Event #55 had the most significant win: $250,000 Super High Roller No-Limit Hold’em for $5.415 million (~45.23 crores)
- Outstanding Performance: Record-breaking
- It is the best score an Indian would get at the 2024 WSOP.
- Indian all-time high at WSOP
- Maximum score for an Indian at any kind of poker
- Suvarna is the only Indian who has taken home WSOP bracelets from Europe and Las Vegas.
- First New India #1 Ranked highest on the all-time money list among Indian players, above Vivek Rajkumar.
Aditya Agarwal: The Most Impressive Occurrence
In Event #82: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout, Aditya Agarwal finally won his first WSOP gold bracelet after a 17-year wait, earning $189,661 (~₹1.58 crores). As a watershed event in his legendary career, Agarwal’s triumph was lauded by the whole Indian poker community.
Kavin Shah: The Main Event’s Deepest Run
In Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship, Kavin Shah placed 191st and won $60,000 (~₹50.11 lakhs) during the 2024 WSOP. In a display of skill and determination, Shah gained the attention of the poker community following his successful performance.
Java Developer Nipun: Most World Series of Poker Finalists
By cashing 17 times and earning $30,069 (~₹25.16 lakhs) at the 2024 tournament, Nipun Java, who has won the WSOP bracelet three times, demonstrated his reliability. Java thrived in both online and live events, proving his evergreen poker prowess.
A Rising Star Duo: Siddarth Singhvi and Kartik Ved
Siddarth Singhvi and Kartik Ved also played crucial roles in Team India’s triumph. After impressive WSOP debuts for Singhvi and deep runs in an online bracelet event for Ved, it’s clear that both players are rising stars in the poker industry.
Best of 2024 World Series of Poker
Multiple records were broken at the 2024 WSOP, making it a historic event:
- Record-Setting Number of Competitors: 10,112
- Total Prize Money: $94,000,000 Main Event
- The total number of entries for all competitions is 229,553.
- Event #57: $25,000 PLO High Roller is the largest Pot-Limit Omaha prize pool at $11.20 million.
- Event #86 had the most entrants (4,280) and prize money ($1,000). Mystery Treasure Hunt Hold ‘Em High Omaha
- There were 34,717 events with $2 million or more in ticket sales, breaking last year’s record of 32,282. Number of Events: 54
- Prize Pools of $10 Million or More: 7 Events
Jonathan Tamayo’s Historical Victory
Humble, Texas native Jonathan Tamayo made history when he won $10 million and the bracelet of the World Championship in the largest Main Event field ever. Tamayo beat 10,112 other participants to win the record-breaking $94 million prize pool.
Certifying Documents
“It’s special to see the passion for poker continuously deliver records on an annual basis,” remarked Ty Stewart, senior vice president and executive director of the WSOP, in his praise of the tournament. The numerous records broken at the WSOP this summer prove that poker is experiencing a revival.
Conclusion
The 2024 WSOP was significant for many reasons, not the least of which was the outstanding performance of Team India. Players from India have solidified their place on the global poker stage with their most impressive performance. A bright future is in store for poker, with new talent emerging and established players continuing to impress. One thing is sure, though: the passion and skill of poker players worldwide will keep pushing the game to new heights, even though the debate over technology will never end.
