Astedt, Griff and Tamayo Will Vie for Main Event Crown

And then there were three! Only three contenders remain for the biggest crown in poker after an evening of drama at the World Series of Poker Main Event final table.

Final3a
Niklas Astedt, Jordan Griff and Jonathan Tamayo (courtesy of WSOP)

Niklas Astedt, Jordan Griff and Jonathan Tamayo are all that’s left of the record-breaking field of 10,112 entries that started out on a quest for poker glory 12 days ago.

By yesterday they had been whittled down to just nine hopefuls, a mix of pros and regs, all of whom had sewn up $1million and a chance at the $10million top prize and a place in the history books.

Treys Bad for Latinois

It took 30 hands before we had our first exit, and it was Malo Latinois whose dreams were shattered after shoving the cutoff following Griff’s UTG open.

Malo Latinois: A♥ K♥

Jordan Griff: 3♣ 3♠

Flop: A♠ 10♣ 9♥

The perfect flop was followed by a horror turn for the Frenchman…

Turn: 3♦

…and the river was a final slap in the face, filling Griff’s house…

River: A♣

Serock Caught in a Trap

While Griff and Astedt chipped up, Spain’s Andres Gonzalez was nursing the short stack, but in fact it was Joe Serock who fell next, making his move at the wrong time…

Griff’s open with pocket 7s was called by Astedt in the small blind, but when Serock shoved the big, he was met by a snap call from the Swede who was trapping with queens…

Joe Serock: A♥ J♠

Niklas Astedt: Q♥ Q♦

The runout failed to provide enough help…

Flop: 10♦ 9♥ 4♠

Turn: J♣

River: 8♥

…and Serock was out in 8th for a hugely creditable $1,250,000 payday.

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Kim’s Costly Bluff

Brian Kim was one of the most experienced players at the table, but one misstep proved costly when he five-bet shoved with a weak king, Astedt again producing a big hand in reply…

Brian Kim: K♣ 6♣

Niklas Astedt: 10♠ 10♦

Flop: Q♣ 10♥ 8♠

Turn: 5♣

River: 6♠

It was a long wait until our next bustout, several players surviving ‘all-in and at risk’ moments by the skin of their teeth. Eventually, Gonzalez staked his 20BB stack on fishhooks and this time Astedt was behind…

Gonzalez Bows Out in Sixth

Andres Gonzalez: J♥ J♦

Niklas Astedt: A♥ Q♦

The flop, however, had other ideas for the Spanish player’s fate…

Flop: A♣ 10♣ 10♠

Turn: 7h:

River: 3♣

Sixth spot and $2million for Gonzalez, who spun up his shortest stack incredibly well.

Angelov Busts with Sixes

The rising blinds were now playing a significant role and Boris Angelov chose pocket 6s to make his stand with just 6BBs to his name. Jonathan Tamayo had more than enough of a hand to make the call…

Boris Angelov: 6♠ 6♦

Jonathan Tamayo: K♣ 6♥

Again, the flop was a sickener for the player at risk…

Flop: K♠ 5♥ 4♣

Turn: kd:

River: 10♠

… Angelov out in fifth place for $2,500,000.

Angelov1
Boris Angelov (courtesy of WSOP)

Sagle Can’t Stop the Swede

Canada’s Jason Sagle looked all set for a much-needed double up when Astedt tank-called his shove…

Jason Sagle: J♠ J♦

Niklas Astedt: A♣ 3♣

….but poker is never straightforward, and the Swede flopped a pair…

Flop: 8♦ 4♥ 3♦

….turned a gutshot…

Turn: 5♠

…and hit the money card on the river…

River: 2♠

Sagle sent spiraling out in 4th for a $3,000,000 cash and the remaining trio could celebrate making it through to the final day of the final table of the 2024 WSOP main Event.

Final Table Chip Counts

RankPlayerCountryChip Count 
1Niklas AstedtSweden223,000,000 
2Jonathan TamayoUSA197,000,000 
3Jordan GriffUSA187,000,000 

“I think I played well, yeah. I don’t have too many regrets,” Astedt told PokerGO afterwards, adding: “I mean, now it’s only three guys left and all the money’s up top, so it’s pretty simple.”

Jonathan Tamayo, sitting second in chips – although only 12 big blinds separate the three, who are reasonably deepstacked – told reporters: “I have chips, so I do have a fighting chance.”

Jordan Griff revealed his plan to bag poker’s Holy Grail: “I’m going to try and get as much sleep as possible. I’m going to try to make it happen.”

2024MEbracelet
The coveted 2024 Main Event bracelet (courtesy of WSOP)

Final Table Results and Remaining Payouts

RankWinnerCountryPrize
1  $10,000,000
2  $6,000,000
3  $4,000,000
4Jason SagleCanada$3,000,000
5Boris AngelovBulgaria$2,500,000
6Andres GonzalezSpain$2,000,000
7Brian KimUnited States$1,500,000
8Joe SerockUnited States$1,250,000
9Malo LatinoisFrance$1,000,000

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Professional Poker Journalist
An avid poker player, he dreams of one day playing the WSOP Main Event and has promised himself he will fold aces and kings if he gets them on the first hand to avoid front-page headlines.
Filed Under: WSOP 2024 Live Poker News Poker News

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