The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was full of thrilling hands and epic moments. Today, we bring the most insane hands from the recently-concluded series. This occurred at the final table of the record-breaking Main Event, which was ultimately won by Jonathan Tamayo, a 38-year-old from Humble, Texas, who overcame a record 10,112 entries to capture the $10 million and his maiden bracelet.
While main event victory has been surrounded by controversies because Tamayo consulted his friends and laptop on the rail in the late stage of tournaments for his help, this unforgettable hand continues to be talked about in the poker circuit. It involved Jordan Griff and online poker legend Niklas Astedt in the biggest pot of WSOP main event with $10 million on the line, who finished second and third, taking home $6 million and $4 million respectively.
What Happened In This Most Insane Hand of WSOP Main Event Final Table?
With the blinds running 2M/4M with 4M ante, Astedt raised to 8M on the button, Jordan Griff three-bet to 28M in the small blind. Astedt throught for a while and then made the call to see the flop.
The flop opened 10c 9d 3d. Griff fired a bet of 28M. Astedt called and the Jc landed on the turn. Griff then moved all in for 159M. This was by far the biggest moment and pot at the coveted main event final table and Astedt spent several minutes in the tank before eventually making the call.
Griff tabled 9s 9c for a set of nines and Astedt turned over Ks Jd for top pair. Astedt was in need of a queen to make a straight, but he missed as the Kh landed on the river and the start-of-day chip leader exited in third place. The online poker legend had the biggest stack and was favourite to win the title but he made an abrupt exit, just two spots shy of the $10 million first place prize.
After the hand, Griff led Tamayo 432,500,000 to 174,500,000 into heads-up but sadly for him, he lost the title end, finishing runner-up for $6,000,000, surpassing his previous top score of $18,104 for a final-table finish in a WSOP Circuit event at Thunder Valley Casino Resort in 2023.
Analysis & Breakdown Of The Hand
Pre-Flop: Asted raised pre-flop with KJ, which is standard for a player of his caliber, especially on the button position to apply pressure, potentially steal blinds or probably dominate post-flop. Griff’s 3-bet from small blind was strong with a high pocket pair, aiming to take control of the hand.
Flop: Griff flopped a set with nines and took the lead. Consistent with his strong hand, his post-flop bet of 28M probably aimed to build the pot and protect against potential draws.
Astedt’s call on the flop was not bad, given his potential draws. He was probably in the belief that his hand might still be good or he could have some draw equity with backdoor flush or potential straight.
Turn: Griff’s all-in move on the turn Jc was aggressive but logical to capitalize on his strong hand. He possibly read Astedt for a top pair or draw and wanted to potentially bust the dangerous opponent.
Astedt was faced with a tough decision, he had the top pair but still trailed sets, two pairs, or even a strong jack (like AJ). However, he had outs to improve (three kings, four queens for a straight, or potentially a jack for trips). He spent several minutes in the tank and then made the call, indicating he believed Griff might be bluffing, or that his outs were sufficient to justify the call. Unfortunately for him, the Kh landed on the river, ending his remarkable run just two spots shy of the title.
Conclusion
The hand underscores the high-stakes nature of the WSOP Main Event, where key decisions can change the tournament’s outcome. Griff played his hand aggressively and effectively, leveraging his set of nines to get max value. Astedt, while a skilled player, fell into a challenging situation and made a call that didn’t work in his favor. This hand was pivotal, setting the stage for the heads-up between Griff and Tamayo, where Griff eventually fell short of the coveted title, despite a significant chip lead.
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Image Credit: WSOP
