Folding QQ on the final table bubble eventually led to a $10 million pay day for the new World Series of Poker Main Event champion.
History repeated itself in Las Vegas as, for the 2nd year in a row, the attendance record for the Main Event was smashed.
The latest grinder to etch his name in the history books is Jonathan Tamayo of Texas, who overcame a field of 10,112 players with $10,000 each.
He defeated Jordan Griff heads-up for the championship and first prize of $10 million.
Perhaps most notable of all, he overcame online legend Niklas Astedt of Sweden, who started the final day as the chip leader and potentially was the best player to ever make the final table of the Main Event.
The 2024 @WSOP Main Event Champion is Jonathan Tamayo 🔥🔥🔥@driverseati takes home $10,000,000 and the Main Event Bracelet! pic.twitter.com/AfbdyhOsZY
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) July 18, 2024
If you believe in the butterfly effect, then Tamayo’s infamous fold of QQ on the final table bubble was pivotal. What looked like a move to make a $200,000 pay jump eventually led to one of the biggest prizes awarded in poker history.
Tamayo is no stranger to WSOP success. He had over $2.1 million in career earnings prior to this win, which included four WSOP-C Rings.
He was cheered on at the final table by his roommate and fellow Main Event champion Joe McKeehen:
“Not real life. My roommate’s picture is right there from 2015. We both have banners now. What in the world just happened?”
| Place | Winner | Country | Prize (in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jonathan Tamayo | United States | $10,000,000 |
| 2 | Jordan Griff | United States | $6,000,000 |
| 3 | Niklas Astedt | Sweden | $4,000,000 |
| 4 | Jason Sagle | Canada | $3,000,000 |
| 5 | Boris Angelov | Bulgaria | $2,500,000 |
| 6 | Andres Gonzalez | Spain | $2,000,000 |
| 7 | Brian Kim | United States | $1,500,000 |
| 8 | Joe Serock | United States | $1,250,000 |
| 9 | Malo Latinois | France | $1,000,000 |
Next up for the World Series of Poker is the 2nd WSOP Paradise, which was announced at the final table. More details to follow.
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