The 2024 WSOP Main Event officially started a few minutes after noon PT on Wednesday, July 3. For two players, in an unfortunate twist, the dream to become world champion ended a FEW minutes later.
More than 500 players registered at the beginning of Day 1A, a group that included some star players such as Freddy Deeb and Michael Mizrachi. After an introduction from Jack Effel, defending champion Daniel Weinman got the party started by announcing "Shuffle up and deal."
The Greatest Poker Tournament in the World
Jack Effel, the Vice President of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) for Caesars Interactive Entertainment (CIE), welcomed the players and explained how special the tournament they were about to play.
"There are a lot of poker tournaments out there. But there's only one that determines who the world champion is, and it's this tournament right here.
It's a $10,000 buy-in and it's a freeze out - so you only get one chance to win. I know that over the next couple of weeks, it's going to be very tough. There's gonna be a lot of long hours, you're gonna have a lot of tough decisions, you're gonna have a lot of tough opponents, but we're gonna be with you every step along the way.
And at the end of all of it, we're going to share that experience with you."
Daniel Weinman, who won the 2023 WSOP Main Event for $12.1 million, said:
"This is the greatest poker tournament in the world. I see myself playing this tournament for the rest of my life. I'm just excited to see who gets their banner up on the wall next to me, if I don't do it again."
Two Poker Players get Busted within Minutes
Each year, at least one player busts within minutes from the start of the $10,000 buy-in world championship poker event. This year, there were two unfortunate poker players whose championship dreams were quickly dashed.
A player named Travis Darroch was eliminated on the very first hand of play at their table.
Darroch said after busting:
"He's gonna squeeze jacks pre-flop, so less likely he's got jacks. And then of course, once again, Jack eight. So I rip it in and he snap calls. He's got pocket eights. And, I put my my face in my hands for a few seconds, then walk back to my hotel room."
Meanwhile at a separate table, Table 630 to be exact, another player already got busted on the very first hand of the day.
Day 1A comprises of five 120-minute levels, and will be followed by three additional Day 1 starting flights.
Stay tuned for more 2024 WSOP action!
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2024/07/first-2024-wsop-main-event-elimination-46435.htm
