The 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has raised the stakes to a record level, with the main event amassing an unprecedented 10,043 entries. This jaw-dropping turnout surpasses the previous high of 8,773 set in 2006, setting a prize pool worth a colossal $93,399,900. Now, only nine poker maestros remain in the game, all vying for the championship bracelet and a record-breaking first prize of $12,100,000.
The Titans Left Standing
Among the elite left in contention, Adam Walton, a professional poker player from Seattle, has taken the lead with 143,800,000 chips. Walton, primarily a cash game player, had a disappointing 42nd-place finish in the event just two years ago.
“I massively punted deep… or I don’t know if it was a massive punt, but it wasn’t a good play to go out and it was really frustrating. I did the exact same thing again this year, except I doubled,” he explained.
Following closely behind Walton, real estate broker Steven Jones from Phoenix has gathered a formidable 90,300,000 chips. Hot on his heels is Daniel Weinman, a two-time World Poker Tour champion and WSOP bracelet winner, holding a stack of 81,700,000 chips. Weinman, with more than $3.7 million in tournament earnings, could potentially double his career winnings by making it to the top three.
International Competitors Shine Bright
Bracelet winner Jan-Peter Jachtmann from Germany stands fourth with 74,600,000 chips. The marketing CEO has amassed over $1.2 million in cashes, with $661,000 coming from his triumph in the 2012 WSOP $10,000 pot-limit Omaha championship.
Spain’s Juan Maceiras, who came into the day as the chip leader, finished the day in fifth place with 68,000,000 chips, having lost a significant pot to Walton.
Ruslan Prydryk, a Ukrainian poker pro, and Scotland’s Dean Hutchison stand at sixth and seventh with 50,700,000 and 41,700,000 chips, respectively. The youngest player, Italy’s Daniel Holzner, at 31, will return with 31,900,000 chips. The list concludes with the most accomplished tournament player still in contention, Toby Lewis, holding an impressive record of over $8.4 million in lifetime earnings.
Official Chip Counts
| Player | Chip Count |
| Adam Walton | 143,800,000 |
| Steven Jones | 90,300,000 |
| Daniel Weinman | 81,700,000 |
| Jan-Peter Jachtmann | 74,600,000 |
| Juan Maceiras | 68,000,000 |
| Ruslan Prydryk | 50,700,000 |
| Dean Hutchison | 41,700,000 |
| Daniel Holzner | 31,900,000 |
| Toby Lewis | 19,800,000 |
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