Additional Gold BraceletsThe 2024 World Series of Poker Online domestic series recently concluded, delivering an exhilarating six weeks of high-stakes poker action for players across Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan. This year’s festival featured 33 bracelet events, showcasing the skills of both seasoned professionals and rising stars in the poker world. As the virtual felt settled, several notable names emerged victorious, adding precious WSOP hardware to their collections.
In this comprehensive recap, we’ll dive into the thrilling victories of Anthony Zinno, Ari Engel, and Jesse Yaginuma, who each secured additional gold bracelets to bolster their already impressive poker resumes. We’ll also explore other significant wins, examine the series’ standout moments, and analyze the implications for the broader poker landscape.
Anthony Zinno’s Fifth Bracelet Triumph
A Fitting Finale
The curtain fell on the 2024 WSOP Online series with Event #33: $500 NL Hold’em Fall Saver, and it was none other than Anthony Zinno who captured the spotlight. The seasoned pro, playing under the screen name ‘ALLIN’, outmaneuvered a field of 572 entries to claim his fifth career WSOP bracelet and a top prize of $48,649.
Zinno’s Path to Victory
Zinno’s journey to the winner’s circle was far from easy. The final table featured several formidable opponents, including:
- Tony Dunst (2nd place, $35,650)
- Ryan Eriquezzo (3rd place, $26,255)
- Robert Kuhn (4th place, $19,305)
The heads-up battle against Tony Dunst, a respected player and WPT commentator, proved particularly challenging. However, Zinno’s experience and skill ultimately prevailed, cementing his place among poker’s elite.
Milestone Achievement
This victory marked a significant milestone for Zinno, pushing his lifetime WSOP earnings past the $5 million mark. It also solidified his status as one of only 43 players in poker history to have won five or more WSOP bracelets.
Zinno’s WSOP Legacy
Let’s take a closer look at Anthony Zinno’s impressive WSOP bracelet collection:
- 2015: $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller ($1,122,196)
- 2019: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better ($279,920)
- 2021: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship ($182,872)
- 2021: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. ($160,636)
- 2024: $500 NL Hold’em Fall Saver Online ($48,649)
This diverse array of victories across various poker variants showcases Zinno’s versatility and adaptability as a player.
Ari Engel’s Online Triumph
Multitasking Mastery
In one of the most impressive feats of the series, Ari Engel managed to secure his fourth WSOP bracelet while simultaneously competing in a live event. Engel took down Event #29: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo, earning $34,200 and adding another piece of WSOP hardware to his collection.
A Unique Double-Dip
What makes Engel’s victory particularly noteworthy is that he achieved it while also participating in the Cardplayer Lifestyle H.E.R.O.S. event at the NAPT Las Vegas. This display of multitasking prowess highlights Engel’s exceptional focus and ability to excel in both online and live poker environments simultaneously.
Engel’s Bracelet Collection
With this win, Ari Engel’s WSOP bracelet count now stands at four:
- 2019: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em (Live)
- 2021: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship (Live)
- 2023: $500 Six-Max No-Limit Hold’em (Online)
- 2024: $400 No-Limit Hold’em Turbo (Online)
This balanced mix of live and online victories underscores Engel’s adaptability across different poker formats.
WSOP Circuit Dominance
In addition to his bracelet success, Engel holds the record for most WSOP Circuit gold rings with an astounding 17 titles. This combination of Circuit rings and WSOP bracelets cements Engel’s status as one of the most consistent performers in WSOP-branded events.
Jesse Yaginuma’s Halloween Treat
A Spooky Success Story
Jesse Yaginuma chose Halloween night to treat himself to his third career WSOP bracelet, emerging victorious in Event #23: $666 No-Limit Hold’em Spooky Monsterstack. The thematically appropriate tournament saw Yaginuma outlast a talented field to claim the top prize of $59,396.
Online Dominance
Interestingly, all three of Yaginuma’s WSOP bracelets have been earned in online events:
- 2022: $400 No-Limit Hold’em
- 2023: $1,500 Six-Max No-Limit Hold’em
- 2024: $666 No-Limit Hold’em Spooky Monsterstack
This online success speaks to Yaginuma’s comfort and skill in the virtual poker arena.
Notable Final Table Competitors
The final table of the Spooky Monsterstack event featured several accomplished players, including:
- Chris Hunichen (3rd place, $33,169)
- Brandon Zuidema (4th place, $23,913)
- David Funkhouser (2nd place, $43,968)
Yaginuma’s ability to navigate this star-studded final table demonstrates his poker prowess and mental fortitude.
Other Notable Victories and Moments
Kristen Foxen Extends Her Lead
Kristen Foxen continued her dominance in WSOP events, securing her record-extending fifth bracelet in Event #19: $1,000 NL Hold’em 6-Max. This victory, which netted her $56,703, further solidified her position as one of the most successful players in WSOP history.
Alex Foxen Joins the Multi-Bracelet Club
Not to be outdone by his wife, Alex Foxen earned his second WSOP bracelet in Event #17: $500 PLO $200K GTD Mystery Bounty 6-Max. This win, worth $20,064, brought Alex into the multi-bracelet winner’s circle and narrowed the gap between the poker power couple’s bracelet counts.
Maria Konnikova’s Breakthrough
Author-turned-poker pro Maria Konnikova achieved a significant milestone by winning her first WSOP bracelet in Event #12: $888 NL Hold’em Fall Crazy 8’s. This victory not only validated Konnikova’s transition to professional poker but also brought her one step closer to the coveted WSOP triple crown.
Implications for the Poker World
The Rise of Online Poker
The success of the 2024 WSOP Online series underscores the growing importance of online poker in the broader poker ecosystem. As players continue to demonstrate their ability to excel in both live and online formats, the line between these two realms becomes increasingly blurred.
Established Stars Continue to Shine
The victories of players like Zinno, Engel, and the Foxens demonstrate that established poker pros can maintain their edge even as the game evolves. Their continued success speaks to their adaptability and dedication to improving their craft.
New Blood Makes Its Mark
While many familiar faces found success in this series, emerging talents also made their presence felt. The poker world will be watching closely to see which of these rising stars can translate their online success to the live arena in future events.
Looking Ahead: The Future of WSOP Online
Potential for Growth
As online poker continues to gain popularity and acceptance, there’s potential for the WSOP Online series to expand further. This could include more events, larger prize pools, or even integration with live tournaments.
Technological Advancements
Future editions of WSOP Online may incorporate new technologies to enhance the player experience. Virtual reality, improved mobile platforms, and innovative game formats could all play a role in shaping the future of online poker tournaments.
Regulatory Considerations
The expansion of legal online poker in the United States could have significant implications for future WSOP Online series. As more states legalize and regulate online poker, the player pool and potential prize money for these events could grow substantially.
Conclusion
The 2024 WSOP Online domestic series provided a thrilling showcase of poker talent, with established stars like Anthony Zinno, Ari Engel, and Jesse Yaginuma adding to their impressive bracelet collections. The success of this online festival demonstrates the enduring appeal of WSOP-branded events and the growing importance of online poker in the broader poker landscape.
As the poker world continues to evolve, balancing the traditions of live play with the convenience and accessibility of online tournaments, the WSOP Online series is poised to play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of the game. With each passing year, these virtual events cement their place alongside their live counterparts as true tests of poker skill and mental fortitude.
The victories celebrated in this series not only reward the individual achievements of talented players but also contribute to the rich tapestry of poker history. As we look ahead to future WSOP events, both online and live, the poker community eagerly anticipates the next chapter in this storied tradition, wondering which players will etch their names into the annals of poker lore in the years to come.
