2019 WSOP already with several achievements

19 June 2019

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Action continues at the 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, with several notable achievements taking place. Here are the latest standouts from the 50th Annual WSOP through 35 completed events.

Through 35 events (of 90) at this year’s WSOP, here is where some of the key metrics stand:
  • 83,054 entries (thru 35 events) – Already more than any WSOP between 1970-2014
  • $82,767,489 in prize money awarded (thru 35 events) – Already more than any WSOP between 1970-2004
  • 12,820 places paid (thru 35 events) -- Record is 18,105 established last year
  • 25 -- $1 million+ prize pools
  • 12 -- $2 million+ prize pools
  • 5 -- $5 million+ prize pools
  • 2 -- $10 million+ prize pools
  • 5 – Events with 5,000 or more entrants (Event 3, 9, 19, 32 and 34)
  • 2 – Events reaching the Top 10 in terms of field sizes all-time (Event 3 (1st) and Event 19 (8th)
  • 1 – Largest $500 buy-in tournament in history (Event #3, Big 50, 28,371 entries)
  • 1 – Largest $1,500 buy-in tournament in history (Event #19, Millionaire Maker, 8,809 entries)
  • 1 – Largest $600 buy-in tournament in history (Event #9, Deepstack No-Limit Hold’em, 6,150 entries)
  • 1 – Largest $1,000 buy-in tournament in history (Event #34, Double Stack, 6,214 entries)
  • 50 -- # of different countries who have captured a WSOP Gold Bracelet, with Nigeria being the latest
Tiger Woods of Poker?: Tiger Woods just won his first major in nearly 11 years when he captured the Masters crown in April. It also marked a record 14-year gap between Masters victories for Woods. But he still has a long way to go to catch poker’s Jim Bechtel. Bechtel won Event #21 at the WSOP this year, the $10,000 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship. It marks his first WSOP victory since 1993, when he won the WSOP Main Event and its $1,000,000 prize. The 26-year gap between victories is a WSOP record.

The Rare 50-50-50 Club: Of course during the 50th Annual WSOP would a 50-year-old win the 50 and over Seniors Championship right? Another huge field turned out for the annual Seniors Championship (Event #32), eligible to those 50 and above. There were 5,916 entrants in all, creating a juicy $5,324,400 prize pool. Howard Mash, a 50-year-old financial advisor, from Coconut Creek, Florida was victorious, winning $662,594 – or 662 times his initial investment. Not sure Mash’s regular job has seen an ROI that high in four days! Mash just turned 50 in April, playing in this event for the very first time.

Back to Back: It is hard enough to win a WSOP gold bracelet these days, but winning the same event in back-to-back years, now that is a rare achievement. Adam Friedman just pulled off the feat in the prestigious $10,000 buy-in Dealer’s Choice event. Dealer’s Choice allows players to pick from one of twenty different poker variants when it is their turn to choose. Being able to successfully play all these games is difficult enough and what Friedman has done is remarkable, besting 110 others in 2018 and 121 this year. Friedman is just one of four players in the past decade to pull of the back-to-back feat in the exact same event. They are:
  • Adam Friedman - $10,000 Dealers Choice (2018 & 2019)
  • James Moore - $1,000 Super Seniors (2016 & 2017)
  • Tuan Le - $10,000 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship (2014 & 2015)
  • Thang Luu -- $1,500 Omaha Hi-Low 8 or Better (2008 & 2009)
Finally, Eh: We congratulate the Toronto Raptors on winning the NBA championship, the first time the title has been claimed north of the border. Finally the Raptors winning has rubbed off on Canadian poker players here in Las Vegas. It appeared prior to their victory, Canadian poker players were too distracted by the Raptors to claim a poker title. With a win in Event #29 on Friday, the $10,000 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event (isn’t that a basketball game too?) Mueller became the first Canuck to win a WSOP event this year. The former professional hockey player, Mueller claimed Canada’s 60th all-time WSOP gold bracelet. Canada was on a 67-event drought streak, their longest since going 74 events without a win over the 2013 and 2014 WSOP calendar.

Ate for Eight: Having tasted WSOP victory, you tend to crave tasting it again. Eight players thus far in 2019 have done just that – claim victory again – each fortunate enough to win their second (or more) WSOP title. Michael Mizrachi, by virtue of his win in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Low 8 or Better event (Event #27), became the first player this decade to capture five WSOP gold bracelets. Other repeat winners this year include:
  • Eli Elezra (Event #20, 4th victory)
  • Scott Clements (Event #10, 3rd victory)
  • Frankie O’Dell (Event #18, 3rd victory )
  • Adam Friedman (Event #35, 3rd victory)
  • Greg Mueller (Event #29, 3rd victory)
  • Rami Boukai (Event #23, 2nd victory)
  • Jim Bechtel (Event #21, 2nd victory)

Related Links
Ranked Online Poker Rooms
Rio Hotel & Casino Details
World Series of Poker Gaming Vendor Information

Featured Vendors
Slot Machines Unlimited
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Slot Machines Unlimited
Exporter of IGT, Williams, AVP, Trimline, Aristocrat, Konami, Bally, & parts over 20 yrs experience
REDW Business & Financial Resources, LLC
Improve Your Odds of Success: Trust in REDW’s Tribal Casino Operations & Audit Experts!
Casino Schedule Ease
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Casino Schedule Ease
Full Featured & customizable for the complex scheduling needs of table games & other casino depts
Regulatory Management Counselors, PC
Over 45 years of experience serving the legal and regulatory needs of casino industry clients
TribalHub
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
TribalHub
26th Annual TribalNet Conference Sept 15-18, 2025 at Grand Sierra Resort and Casino in Reno, Nevada
Sunkist Graphics, Inc.
Specializing in the creation of best-of-breed gaming graphics - slot glass, sign faces, and more
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Texas Slots & Gaming
Betson Imperial Parts & Service
Your one stop shop for all your gaming and OEM needs!
Texas Slots & Gaming
Wholesale gaming reimagined. Texas Slots & Gaming is your sustainable gaming partner.
Casino City Press
Casino Network
Casino City Press
A leading publisher and distributor of casino and gaming business data and market research reports.
Casino Network
20+ years experience selling refurbished slot machines, parts & glass for all major brands
Concept 3, LLC
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Concept 3, LLC
Custom Creations, Unmatched Value – Elevating Brands with Quality & Savings Since 2004
Rymax Marketing Services, Inc.
Leader in creating award winning player & employee loyalty programs & events proven to increase ROI
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
Imagine This
Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA) Conference
The biggest little show in Indian gaming! Save the date: July 14-16, 2025 Oklahoma City
Imagine This
Imagine This #1 Source for Player Gifts. Over $50 million in stock ready to ship! Let us serve you!
Prezzee
Prezzee
Prezzee provides digital gift cards from top brands to reward loyal guests and employees.


Your Guide to 14,987 Gaming Industry Suppliers