In a thrilling conclusion to 2024, Francis Anderson claimed victory in the Venetian New Year’s Extravaganza $800 No-Limit Hold’em UltimateStack tournament. The bracelet winner from Wappinger Falls, New York, outlasted a field of 515 players, securing $61,551 in prize money. This marked Anderson’s sixth tournament win and bolstered his reputation as a top competitor in poker.
A Year of Milestones for Anderson
Anderson’s 2024 poker journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Earlier this year, he captured his first World Series of Poker bracelet in the $800 Independence Day Celebration Event, taking home $501,040—a career-best score. His ability to excel in holiday-themed events has become a hallmark of his career, making him a formidable contender in these unique tournaments.
This latest win also brought Anderson’s lifetime tournament earnings to more than $3.6 million. Alongside his financial success, Anderson added 420 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points, bringing his annual total to 2,772. With three titles and nine final-table finishes, Anderson will end the year ranked within the top 130 in the POY standings, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite players.
The Competition at the Final Table
The $800 buy-in event attracted a diverse and competitive field, with a total prize pool of $355,350. The top 66 finishers walked away with a share of the spoils, but the final table was where the real action unfolded.
Notable players included:
- Terry Fleischer: The 2024 Mid-States Poker Tour Venetian Poker Bowl champion finished in 8th place.
- Aaron Massey: The seasoned pro claimed 6th place.
- Ryan Laplante: The bracelet winner and accomplished player added another feather to his cap by finishing 4th.
Laplante, who had already secured a significant score of $185,500 earlier in December, now edges closer to $4 million in recorded tournament earnings.
A Dramatic Heads-Up Showdown
After an anonymous third-place finisher exited, Anderson faced Lokesh Garg in a riveting heads-up battle. Garg entered with a chip advantage, but Anderson quickly turned the tables.
The pivotal moment came when Anderson made a flush, besting Garg’s jack-high straight. In the final hand, the board showed A♣ Q♠ 9♥ 9♣ J♣, and Garg held 10♥ 8♣ for a straight. However, Anderson revealed J♠ 9♠, giving him a full house and the championship. Garg walked away with $44,245 as the runner-up.
Final Table Payouts and POY Points
Here’s how the final table payouts and POY points were distributed:
| Place | Player | Earnings ($) | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Francis Anderson | 61,551 | 420 |
| 2 | Lokesh Garg | 44,245 | 350 |
| 3 | Anonymous | 32,015 | 280 |
| 4 | Ryan Laplante | 23,455 | 210 |
| 5 | Alex Perez | 17,300 | 175 |
| 6 | Aaron Massey | 12,800 | 140 |
| 7 | Chris Mohr | 9,615 | 105 |
| 8 | Terry Fleischer | 7,355 | 70 |
| 9 | Max Zhang | 5,685 | 35 |
With this win, Anderson adds yet another chapter to an already stellar year, proving once again that he’s one of poker’s most consistent and talented players.
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