Author: Levi Brooks

Nick Schulman has once again etched his name into poker history, claiming his sixth World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet at the 2024 WSOP Paradise event. The 40-year-old poker professional from New York triumphed in the $5,000 no-limit hold’em turbo bounty event, known as ‘The Closer,’ securing a prize of $145,000 along with the prestigious bracelet. With this victory, Schulman joins an elite group of just 25 players in the history of the WSOP to have earned six bracelets.

A Long-Awaited Sixth Bracelet

For Schulman, this win marks a significant achievement in his career. The New York native, who has made a name for himself in high-stakes poker, already had five bracelets under his belt before this event. His previous victories include triumphs in a variety of poker disciplines, starting with the $10,000 no-limit hold’em deuce-to-seven single draw lowball championships in 2009 and 2012. Later, in 2019, he added another bracelet by winning the $10,000 pot-limit Omaha eight-or-better championship. His most recent win prior to this one came in 2023 when he secured his fourth bracelet in a $1,500 stud event.

This sixth bracelet has a special significance, not just for the cash prize, but for what it means in terms of his status in the world of professional poker. It represents the culmination of years of skill, strategy, and perseverance. As Schulman continues to dominate the poker scene, his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats continues to solidify.

Schulman’s Remarkable Career Earnings

With this win, Schulman has now surpassed a staggering $21.6 million in career tournament earnings. His consistent performance over the years has been a testament to his expertise and resilience in the ever-competitive poker world. Despite the growing number of players and the evolving strategies, Schulman has proven time and again that he belongs at the top.

This victory also positions Schulman within the top 31 of the 2024 Card Player Player of the Year standings, a notable achievement given the quality of competition in the tournament circuit. His three titles and 10 Player of the Year-qualified final tables this year reflect his continued dominance and consistency on the poker scene.

A Deep Field of Talented Competitors

While Schulman’s performance was undoubtedly the highlight of the tournament, he was far from the only elite player in contention. The tournament, which attracted 238 entries, featured a competitive field, with the top 37 players earning a share of the $1,190,000 prize pool. Among those who made deep runs were several other decorated WSOP champions.

Three-time bracelet winner Daniel Zack finished in 19th place, while four-time bracelet winner Georgios Sotiropoulos claimed 14th. 2019 WSOP main event champion Hossein Ensan made it to 12th, and Ebony Kenney finished in 10th. High-stakes regular Sosia Jiang and 2023 WSOP Paradise $25,000 high roller champion Samuel Muller also made impressive runs, finishing in 9th and 7th, respectively. The caliber of competition highlighted just how difficult it was to secure the win in this event.

The fast-paced nature of the turbo bounty event added an extra layer of excitement, as players were not only battling for the top prize but also contending with the dynamic structure of the game. The bounty aspect of the event made each elimination significant, and the stakes only increased as the tournament progressed toward its final stages.

The Significance of ‘The Closer’ Tournament

The WSOP Paradise $5,000 no-limit hold’em turbo bounty event, often referred to as ‘The Closer,’ is one of the most anticipated tournaments of the series. Known for its fast-paced structure, the event always attracts a large and talented field of players, making it a coveted title for anyone looking to make a name for themselves. The high-energy format, combined with the added pressure of the bounty, creates a unique experience for both players and spectators.

For Schulman, the victory in this event capped off an already successful year. It’s a testament to his adaptability and skill, as he continues to navigate various formats and prove that he can compete and win across different poker disciplines. His performance in this year’s WSOP Paradise event serves as a reminder of his versatility and commitment to excellence.

In a stunning breakthrough moment for Northern California’s Travis Egbert, the poker pro sealed his biggest victory to date by winning the 2024 World Poker Tour World Championship Alpha8 $25,800 no-limit hold’em high roller at Wynn Las Vegas. The December 19 win earned Egbert a career-high payout of $684,684, a feat that caps off a banner year for the player, who has seen a dramatic rise in the poker scene.

Egbert, who began 2024 with just shy of $263,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, has now surged past $1.3 million in total winnings. With four titles under his belt and eight final-table finishes this year alone, his victory at the prestigious WPT event marks a pivotal milestone in his poker career.

An Unlikely Champion Emerges

The high roller event drew a competitive field of 111 entries, creating a prize pool of $2,775,000 that was split amongst the top 13 finishers. For Egbert, this victory was more than just financial; it was symbolic of his rapid rise in the poker community. Until now, Egbert’s victories had mostly been confined to the local Thunder Valley Casino Resort in Sacramento, where he captured three World Series of Poker Circuit rings in 2024. But on December 19, Egbert made his mark in the global poker scene, securing a major win outside of his usual stomping grounds.

What made Egbert’s victory even more impressive was the field he overcame. Among the notable players who fell short of the final table were six-time bracelet winner Brian Rast, two-time bracelet winner Shannon Shorr, and high-stakes regular Sean Winter. The competition was fierce, but Egbert’s play stood out as he navigated his way through tough opponents to secure the top prize.

A Thrilling Three-Handed Finish

As the final table narrowed down to three players, Egbert found himself holding a commanding lead. He won a massive pot with sixes full of sevens, propelling him into a strong position. His dominance continued when he took down another hefty pot with trip nines, which left Noel Rodriguez with a short stack.

Rodriguez was eliminated in third place after his A-8 was outplayed by the J-9 suited of Najeem Ajez, who flopped a jack and held on to secure the pot. Rodriguez walked away with $354,488 for his efforts, while Ajez’s momentum carried him to heads-up play against Egbert for the top spot.

In the heads-up battle, the two players agreed to a deal, locking up $600,000 each while leaving $84,684 and the trophy to play for. It was a strategic move that set the stage for an intense final hand. Egbert, holding A♠A♥, raised to 250,000 on the button, and Ajez, with J♦6♣, called. The flop came Q♣J♦6♥, giving Ajez a pair of jacks, but Egbert still had the upper hand with an overpair.

The turn brought the 5♥, and Ajez led out with a bet of 1,275,000. Egbert called, maintaining his strong position. When the A♣ hit the river, completing a set of aces for Egbert, Ajez checked. Egbert seized the opportunity and moved all-in, forcing Ajez to think hard about his decision. After some deliberation, Ajez called, but Egbert’s rivered set was too much, and Ajez was eliminated in second place, taking home $600,000.

Final Table Payouts and Points

Egbert’s impressive win wasn’t just about the money. He also earned 840 Player of the Year (POY) points, propelling him into the 86th spot on the Global Poker POY standings. The payout structure of the final table is as follows:

With the victory at the World Poker Tour World Championship Alpha8, Egbert’s profile has risen dramatically, and his performances throughout 2024 signal that this may be just the beginning of what looks like a bright future in poker.

In a nail-biting finale on the latest episode of PokerGO’s No Gamble No Future, Kristen Foxen outshone Andrew Robl in a high-stakes battle that not only determined the winner of the $500,000 pot but also earned Foxen a massive $200,000 bonus for the biggest profit of the three-episode stretch. The dramatic final hand left poker fans on the edge of their seats as fortune swung dramatically in the final moments.

The Road to the Final Hand: Foxen vs. Robl

It all came down to the final hand in a game where every move was crucial. The blinds were set at $500/$1,000 with a $1,000 big blind ante, and the tension was palpable. With Mike Volfson straddling for $2,000, Andrew Robl, sitting with a $270,000 stack, made a bold raise to $6,000 without initially looking at his cards. At this point, Foxen, with $247,000 in her stack, decided to bring the heat, three-betting to $18,000 with A♠ K♣, a hand she was clearly confident in.

The other players at the table quickly folded, and Robl, now realizing the gravity of the situation, took a moment to inspect his cards before asking for Foxen’s remaining chip count. The title of Cash of the Titans was on the line, with $200,000 in bonus money for the player with the largest profit over the three episodes. Robl, realizing his hand was likely not strong enough to let Foxen walk away with the chips, made the decisive move and went all-in.

Foxen, without hesitation, called the all-in, setting the stage for a $497,500 pot. With the stakes so high, poker fans knew the final outcome was going to be nothing short of dramatic.

The Odds: Foxen Favoured But Not Guaranteed

At this stage, the odds were clearly stacked in Foxen’s favour. According to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator, Foxen had a 68% chance of winning the hand, while Robl was sitting at just a 27% chance. The remaining 5% was split between the possibility of a chopped pot. However, as any poker player knows, even the best odds aren’t a guarantee, and Robl still had a chance to pull off an upset.

As Foxen and Robl stared down the board, the excitement was palpable. Robl, a seasoned professional, couldn’t help but express his thoughts on the situation, acknowledging just how deep into the hand he was without any solid leverage. “Just for the record, I wanted to gamble,” Robl quipped, clearly resigned to the outcome as Foxen prepared to go for the win.

A Roller Coaster Flop: No Chopped Pot for Robl

With the cards revealed, the flop came down as J♦ 7♥ 2♣. This left Foxen firmly in control of the hand with an 80% chance of taking it all. The turn brought the 6♥, which meant there would be no chance of a chopped pot. Robl now needed one of just three outs—remaining hearts that could keep him alive.

Poker fans were left hanging on every moment, hoping for a miracle from Robl. But it wasn’t to be. The river card dropped, and it was the 5♥—sealing Robl’s fate. Not only did the river card hand Foxen the massive pot, but it also earned her the title and the $200,000 bonus that came with it.

Foxen, who had appeared calm and collected up until that moment, couldn’t hide her excitement as she realized the magnitude of the win. She looked both thrilled and slightly shocked, as the last-minute events unfolded. The intensity of the moment was clear, and her victory seemed all the more sweet given the final turn of events.

The Aftermath: Robl’s Resignation and Foxen’s Triumph

As the chips were counted and the result became final, it was clear that Foxen had earned the $500,000 pot and the additional bonus. Robl, despite his best efforts, had to watch as the title slipped through his fingers. But poker is a game of highs and lows, and Robl, ever the professional, took the loss in stride.

“I’ve been in these situations before,” Robl said after the hand, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of poker. “It’s all part of the game.”

Foxen, meanwhile, was left reflecting on what had been an incredibly intense and dramatic finish. The PokerGO cameras captured her excitement, as she held up the giant stack of chips and celebrated her big win. It was a fitting conclusion to a thrilling episode that will no doubt go down in poker history.