Did Tamayo pull off the greatest WSOP comeback ever?

Jade Denosta August 7, 2024

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Did Tamayo pull off the greatest WSOP comeback ever?

In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, Jonathan Tamayo emerged as the champion, securing a $10 million (approximately €9.2 million) prize. The 38-year-old from Humble, Texas, demonstrated remarkable poker skills and overcame allegations of cheating that arose during the tournament.

“You’re just making decisions and doing your job. Whatever happens happens. You just have to give yourself the best shot possible and just be prepared.”
– Jonathan Tamayo, 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event Winner

Tamayo defied the odds by climbing from seventh place at the final table to claim victory, a feat no player had achieved since 2011. In a tense heads-up match, he triumphed over his opponent, Jordan Griff.

“Everybody who’s great at poker plays this tournament, and I somehow won it and I still can’t believe it. A lot of us start playing it for the money and then when we get good, we start playing it for the prestige. This is both,” Tamayo remarked.

This victory marks the culmination of years of effort for Tamayo, whose previous best performance at the WSOP Main Event was in 2009 when he finished 21st and took home $352,832 (€323,158.83). With this latest win, his career earnings have reached $12.3 million (approximately €11.3 million).

The 2024 @WSOP Main Event Champion is Jonathan Tamayo ??????@driverseati takes home $10,000,000 and the Main Event Bracelet! pic.twitter.com/AfbdyhOsZY
— PokerGO (@PokerGO) July 18, 2024

The climactic moment of the final table arose on the 235th hand, as Tamayo, holding eight-three off-suit, secured victory with a flopped two pair against Griff’s top pair of nines.

Tamayo supports new anti-cheating rules

Despite the accusations of using solvers in the final table, Tamayo upheld the integrity of the game and expressed his support for new rules to prevent any future misuse of such tools. His win comes in a record-breaking year for the WSOP Main Event, which drew 10,112 players and generated a staggering $94 million (approximately €86.1 million) prize pool, a testament to the fairness and competitiveness of the event.

As the newest addition to iconic poker legends, Tamayo’s triumph represents a momentous achievement in his career. Despite the controversy, his victory at the 2024 WSOP Main Event presents the remarkable success that can be attained through dedication and resilience in the world of poker.