The World Series of Poker has one of the most prestigious trophies in all of sports as winners of an event are able to take home a gold bracelet. There have already been a number of repeat winners in 2024, but those first time winners tend to draw the most excitement.
You can now add Dario Sammartino to that group, and he was able to come away with a title in one of the most prestigious events at the WSOP. Event #61 was the $2,500 Stud/Omaha Eight or Better Event, and this was one that drew a record number of entries.
There were a total of 507 players that signed to compete in this event, and that pushed past the number of 460 from a year ago. That not only raised the competition level, but also increased the total prize guarantee to $1.128 million.
First place in this event was more then $222,000, and there were 21 players that were able to advance to the final day. While there was some great competition throughout the tournament, it was Sammartino that was able to walk away with the biggest prize.
Finally a Winner
Even though Sammartino had never won a WSOP bracelet, he was always a name to watch every single time that he entered an event. Many considered him among the best poker players to never win a WSOP bracelet, but his time finally came this week.
Sammartino has already won more than $16 million playing live poker events, and that has him as the leader when it comes to Italian poker players. Getting to the final table was nothing new for Sammartino, but at some point he needed to go all the way to the win.
The 24th time at a final table was the charm for Sammartino, and this was also the third time that he has been in heads up action. There were many other close calls, but he was finally able to play the right cards, at the right time.
It was an epic celebration for Sammartino after this win, and he was joined by many of his closest friends and family. Not only was this a monumental win based on the number of entries in the field, but there were some other big names in the mix as well.
Plenty of U.S. Flair
Out of the eight players that were in the mix at the final table, six of those players were from the United States. Luck wasn’t on the side of the American players though as none of those six players advanced to heads up action.
Jon Kyte from Norway finished in second place in this event, and he was able to walk away with $148,642 for his troubles this week. David Williams was the top finisher from the United States as he was able to take home $102,335 for his work.
Sammartino actually had to make a slight comeback at times at the final table, but he was able to get the cards when he needed.
