In a high-stakes twist worthy of the felt, the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker champion will walk away with a cool $1 million bonus, regardless of an ongoing investigation into alleged foul play at the final table.
Jesse Yaginuma, who battled back from a 9-to-1 chip disadvantage against James Carroll during heads-up play in the $1,500 buy-in event, secured the $1,255,180 top prize. But while that tournament payday, and Carroll's $1,012,320 runner-up check, hangs in limbo amid accusations of chip dumping, one thing is certain: the bonus is in the bag.
ClubWPT Gold, a sweeps coin poker platform independent of the WSOP, confirmed Yaginuma will still collect its $1 million promotion prize. "PokerNews confirmed with Doug Polk," an ambassador for ClubWPT Gold, that the site "will honor Yaginuma" as the second winner of the seven-figure ClubWPT Gold jackpot.
The first recipient was Michael Lavin, who claimed the prize earlier this month by winning WSOP Event #20. Now, Yaginuma joins him in the exclusive winner's circle, with the official ceremony set to take place Friday night at Ole Red - a bar just steps off the Strip and a stone's throw from the WSOP action.
The WSOP, meanwhile, is still shuffling through an investigation into what some fans believe was collusion at the final table. As buzz grew on social media, critics pointed fingers at a potential soft play or chip-dump scenario between Yaginuma and Carroll. The theory? Helping Yaginuma secure the bracelet would unlock the ClubWPT Gold bonus - a million-dollar incentive too big to ignore.
With ClubWPT Gold and the WSOP operating as separate entities, the bonus payout moves forward. But as for Yaginuma's bracelet, and the additional $1.2 million in winnings? That pot's still in play.
One thing's for sure - when the dust settles, this will go down as one of the most talked-about hands of the 2025 WSOP.
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/2025-wsop/news/clubwpt-gold-decision-on-poker-scandal-47976.htm
