In the 847th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Connor Richards come to you from Level 9 Studio to preview the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event final table. Who is at the final table of nine? How did they get there? And who do they think will win? Find out here.
Plus, hear how Kristen Foxen fell just short of becoming only the second woman in WSOP history to make the Main Event final table, including her much-discussed final hand. Speaking of big hands, Adrian Mateos suffered back-to-back big hands before bowing out on Day 5. Sometimes poker can be cruel, and his fate is evidence of that.
On a positive note, Patrik Antonius became the 2024 inductee into the Poker Hall of Fame. The online and cash game legend became just the fifth European to be inducted, and he was on-site at the WSOP to accept the honor. See pictures and a video of the Finnish pro accepting his Poker Hall of Fame trophy.
Finally, hear about recent WSOP gold bracelet winners including Jared Bleznick, Gary Bolden, Joseph Sanders, and Calvin Anderson; Jeremy Ausmus tying Phil Hellmuth's WSOP final table record; and other winners from Venetian and Wynn. Oh, and learn about recent WSOP Online bracelet winners such as Mike Watson, David Prociak, and Mo Nuwwarah.
A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice weekly during the 2024 WSOP every Tuesday and Friday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
David Stamm kicked off the action with a raise to 500,000 from middle position, which Akinobu Maeda called from the button. Adam Hendrix, in the big blind, thought for a while before folding.
On the 6♥10♣K♥ flop, Stamm checked to Maeda, who bet 250,000. Stamm called.
The turn brought the 3♦, and Stamm checked again. Maeda took his time, counted his stack (950,000), and deliberated before deciding to go all in. Stamm called immediately.
Akinobu Maeda: A♦A♣
David Stamm: 10♠10♥
With a set of tens, Stamm was in a commanding position. The Q♠ on the river sealed Maeda's fate, sending him to the rail.
In the third hand of the day, Jamie Walden raised to 500,000 from middle position. Henrik Juncker, in the big blind with just 900,000 remaining, went all in. Walden snap-called, leading to a showdown:
Henrik Juncker: A♦6♦
Jamie Walden: 9♥9♦
The dealer revealed a flop of 7♥9♣J♦, giving Walden a set and leaving Juncker with slim chances. Juncker stood up, ready to leave, and he was right to do so as the turn and river came 6♣3♣, sealing the hand for Walden, who added to his stack.
The penultimate day of the 2024 World Series of Poker will see an additional final table in action at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where an unscheduled Day 3 in Event #95: $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em will join a busy Tuesday lineup.
David Stamm leads the final nine contenders, who will resume their battle at noon local time to award one of the few remaining gold bracelets up for grabs this summer.
Among the group giving chase is Adam Hendrix, looking to boost his $6.5 million in career earnings while also giving some $25K Fantasy owners a lift late in the series.
Day 3 Chip Counts
Place
Player
Country
Chip Count
Big Blinds
1
David Stamm
United States
6,350,000
25
2
Naseem Salem
United States
6,125,000
25
3
Jamie Walden
United Kingdom
5,875,000
24
4
Adam Hendrix
United States
4,475,000
18
5
Christopher Stevenson
United States
3,100,000
12
6
Ankit Ahuja
India
2,975,000
12
7
Akinobu Maeda
Japan
1,825,000
7
8
Martin Finger
Germany
1,800,000
7
9
Henrik Juncker
Denmark
1,150,000
5
Martin Finger
Germany's Martin Finger is the only player remaining who can claim a second career WSOP bracelet. Finger scored his first World Series victory back in 2013 in $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em (Six Handed). Finger has more than $8 million in live tournament cashes, but is on the short stack along with Akinobu Maeda of Japan and Denmark's Henrik Juncker.
Naseem Salem sits second in chips, just ahead of Jamie Walden as both players can see a new career-best score in reach today.
Ankit Ahuja of India won't set a career-high cash at this final table, but he can add a WSOP bracelet to his rapidly growing poker resume while Christopher Stevenson is waiting to see how big his first WSOP payout can get.
Remaining Final Table Payouts
Place
Prize
1
$313,370
2
$208,919
3
$148,183
4
$106,598
5
$77,787
6
$57,594
7
$43,275
8
$33,006
9
$25,559
The final nine will return to action at noon local time on Level 32, with blinds of 125,000/250,000 and a big blind ante of 250,000. Play will continue with 15-minute breaks after every two levels, with a dinner break to be determined if necessary.
Don't miss a thing as the PokerNews live reporting team will have full coverage of the final nine battling for the bracelet, alongside our feature coverage of the WSOP Main Event final table.
