The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has crowned its latest champion: Jonathan Tamayo, a 38-year-old from Humble, Texas. In a thrilling finale, Tamayo defeated Jordan Griff to claim the $10 million prize and the prestigious gold bracelet.
Final Table Payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Payout (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 |
Winner’s Reaction
Apacaff – Tamayo was stunned by his victory, emerging from a record-breaking field of 10,112 players. Reflecting on the moment, he marveled at the sheer improbability of his journey to the top. Standing in the iconic Horseshoe Las Vegas Event Center, surrounded by banners of legendary past champions, he found it hard to believe that his name would now be among them.
“What in the world just happened?” Tamayo exclaimed, his disbelief evident. “This feels like a dream. My roommate’s picture is right there from 2015. We both have banners now. It’s surreal.”
Throughout the final table, Tamayo had moments where he doubted the reality of his situation. The enormity of his achievement slowly began to sink in as he held the diamond-encrusted gold bracelet, the symbol of his victory. “I’m just kind of taking it in right now. Because this perspective, and actually, let’s take a perspective photo just so I can have one for myself. This is what it looks like from here,” he said, capturing the moment with a photo from behind the final table.
Tamayo credited his success to the guidance of his friend and 2015 Main Event champion, Joe McKeehen, who was by his side throughout the tournament. McKeehen’s advice to “play your game” resonated with Tamayo, helping him navigate the pressures of the final table. “Leading up to it, Joe was just like, play your game. I realized you’re never going to play perfect poker, and weird things happen,” Tamayo shared.
He also recalled a pivotal moment on Day 4 when a series of fortunate events kept him in the game. Tamayo had shoved ten big blinds with ace-queen and managed to beat pocket jacks, thanks to another player’s fold and the favorable turn of the cards. “If that chain of events doesn’t happen, I don’t have that bracelet and I’m not here,” he reflected.
As he stood in the spotlight, Tamayo expressed his gratitude and amazement at the journey he had undertaken. His victory, he acknowledged, was not just a testament to his skill but also to the incredible luck and support he had received along the way.
The Journey to Victory
Tamayo’s path to victory was marked by a series of tense moments and fortunate breaks that defined his run in the 2024 WSOP Main Event. One of the most critical moments came on Day 4, a day that could have easily ended his tournament life.
In a pivotal hand, Tamayo found himself all-in with ace-queen against an opponent holding pocket jacks. With his tournament life on the line and only ten big blinds left, the odds were not in his favor. However, fate intervened in a dramatic fashion. Another player at the table folded ace-king, and two other players who had folded were holding the remaining jacks. This meant the jacks were effectively “dead,” significantly improving Tamayo’s chances. When the turn brought an ace, Tamayo secured the win in that hand and stayed alive in the tournament.
Reflecting on this moment, Tamayo said, “If that chain of events doesn’t happen, I don’t have that bracelet and I’m not here.” It was a clear reminder of the combination of skill and luck required to win in poker.
As the tournament progressed, Tamayo continued to navigate through a series of challenging hands and opponents. His composure under pressure and ability to make crucial decisions at key moments played a significant role in his success.
One such moment occurred late in the tournament when Tamayo found himself in another all-in situation, this time with king-ten against his opponent’s pocket sevens. The flop delivered a straight for Tamayo, keeping him in contention and allowing him to build his chip stack further.
His experience and previous success in poker tournaments, including four WSOP Circuit rings and over $2 million in live earnings, undoubtedly helped him manage the pressures of the Main Event. Tamayo’s strategic play, combined with his ability to stay calm and focused, allowed him to maneuver through a field of over 10,000 players.
In the final stages of the tournament, Tamayo faced formidable opponents, including Jordan Griff and Niklas Astedt. Despite entering the heads-up play with a chip disadvantage against Griff, Tamayo’s resilience shone through. Key hands saw him making gutsy calls and strategic plays that eventually turned the tide in his favor.
Tamayo’s journey was not just about the hands he played, but also about the support he received. Having Joe McKeehen, the 2015 Main Event champion, by his side throughout the tournament provided invaluable advice and moral support. Their shared experience and friendship added a unique dimension to Tamayo’s victory, making it even more special.
Ultimately, Jonathan Tamayo’s journey to victory in the 2024 WSOP Main Event was a testament to his skill, perseverance, and the occasional stroke of luck. His triumph is now etched in the annals of poker history, inspiring future players to dream big and play their best game.
Final Day Action
The final day saw three players returning to the table: Jonathan Tamayo, Jordan Griff, and Swedish online poker star Niklas Astedt. Griff quickly closed the gap with Astedt, and their intense showdown eventually sent Astedt to the rail in third place.
Griff entered heads-up play with a significant lead over Tamayo, but the Texan steadily clawed back. Key hands, including a critical call with ace-six against Griff’s queen-high and a lucky double-up with king-ten against Griff’s pocket sevens, shifted the momentum.
The Final Hand
The final hand of the 2024 WSOP Main Event was a dramatic climax, a fitting end to an intense and thrilling heads-up battle between Jonathan Tamayo and Jordan Griff. With everything on the line, the tension in the room was palpable.
Tamayo, who had battled his way back from a chip deficit, found himself in a strong position as the hand began. The board showed a nine-high flop, and Tamayo saw an opportunity to put the pressure on Griff. He bet 10,000,000, to which Griff responded with a raise to 40,000,000. Sensing his moment, Tamayo moved all in, putting Griff to the ultimate test.
Griff, holding top pair, called the all-in bet, revealing his strong hand. However, Tamayo turned over his cards to show two pair, giving him the upper hand. The room held its breath as the dealer prepared to reveal the turn and river cards.
As the turn card was dealt, it became clear that Griff’s hopes were dwindling. The river card confirmed Tamayo’s victory, as his two pair held strong against Griff’s top pair. With this, Jonathan Tamayo secured the win, claiming the $10 million prize and the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet.
The excitement and relief were evident on Tamayo’s face as he realized he had just won the biggest tournament in poker. The audience erupted in applause, celebrating his remarkable achievement. Tamayo, overwhelmed with emotion, took a moment to soak in the magnitude of his victory.
This final hand was not just a testament to Tamayo’s skill and strategy but also a reflection of his journey throughout the tournament. From narrowly escaping elimination on Day 4 to outmaneuvering some of the best players in the world, Tamayo’s path to victory was filled with challenges that he overcame with determination and finesse.
As he stood up from the table, Tamayo was greeted by his friend and mentor, Joe McKeehen, who had been a constant source of support and advice throughout the tournament. McKeehen, himself a former Main Event champion, handed Tamayo the gold bracelet, symbolizing his entry into the exclusive club of WSOP champions.
Reflecting on the moment, Tamayo said, “This is just unreal. To be able to share this with Joe and to have my name alongside his and so many other legends is beyond anything I could have imagined. What in the world just happened?”
The final hand of the 2024 WSOP Main Event will be remembered as the defining moment of Jonathan Tamayo’s poker career, a moment where skill, strategy, and a bit of luck combined to crown a new world champion.
A Surreal Experience
Throughout the tournament, Tamayo had the support of his friend and 2015 WSOP Main Event champion, Joe McKeehen. The two shared a house during the WSOP, and now they share a place in poker history as Main Event champions. Reflecting on his journey, Tamayo said, “This is just unreal. I’m happy to never live that one down now.”
Jonathan Tamayo’s win is a testament to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of poker. His victory, like those of champions before him, highlights the Main Event’s unique ability to turn ordinary players into legends.
