After challenging two years, it has finally begun to shine for better times on poker players, whose lives are gradually returning to normal. After the return of the popular EPT series, the legendary WSOP has returned in full, and it is a huge event from day one. It has already distributed precious metals to many of the world's professionals, but some others have not been so lucky.
Let's start with the good news. Jake Schindler, who, like Dan Smith, was considered one of the best players in the world without a WSOP bracelet, managed to finally get one. Smith won in the $25,000 Heads-up Championship, but Schindler also didn't have to wait long and showed his art in full on the 12th event - $50,000 NLH High Roller.
A total of 101 players in this tournament produced $4,835,375 in the prize pool, of which $1,328,068 awaited the champion and, of course, a gold bracelet. The final table offered the audience a solid ammount of great action, in which names like Dario Sammartino, David Peters or Shannon Shorr presented themselves. None of the nominees, however, finally managed to stop Schindler, who seized the life's winnings and finally got rid of the infamous bracelet less title.
Thousands of players from all over the world have come to Vegas to chase their dream, but even though the whole festival is free of COVID restrictions, it is definitely not over yet. For several days now, statements from sick players who have become infected right behind the poker tables have been accumulating on social networks, and unfortunately, they have to miss the next playing days.
Many players do not use social networks, many have not even taken tests, so it is impossible to determine how serious the outbreak of the WSOP is, but so far, the organizers have not responded. Among those who had to take a forced break are names such as Chris Wallace, David Baker, Mike Gorodinsky and Phil Hellmuth, who had to forcibly miss a tournament in which he really wanted to get the bracelet the most ($10k Omaha 8/B). Do you think the festival will be able to finish in full strength, or will the organizers have to intervene and prevent the spread of the disease with restrictions?
Source: WSOP.com, PokerStrategy.com, PokerNews.com