The 2021 World Series of Poker Online [USA leg] has just about reached the halfway mark with 16 out of the 33 bracelets awarded. The latest champions were Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers, Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba, Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng, and Allen “Acnyc718” Chang. Demers and Saliba claimed their first WSOP gold bracelet while Leng and Chang seized their second career gold bracelet. Out of the four champions, Saliba shipped the biggest series payout to date of US$ 253,800 at the WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout.
The ongoing series runs from July 1 to August 1 at online platform WSOP.com however the site is only accessible to players geo located in Nevada and New Jersey. 17 out of 33 bracelets are still up for grabs. Check out our event recaps and select WSOP updated stats down below.
2021 WSOP Online bracelet events by the numbers
WSOP #1 – #16 prize pool: US$ 8,652,680
Cumulative entries: 14,301
Biggest winner: Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba – US$ 253,800 (WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout)
Biggest field: WSOP #10: No Limit Hold’em – 1,517 entries
Biggest pot: WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout – US$ 940,000
Smallest field: WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout – 188 players
Smallest pot: WSOP #16: PLO8 6-Handed – US$ 268,920
Most unique players: WSOP #11: NLH Ultra Deepstack – 1,078 unique players
First time bracelet winners: 13
Deepest run by non USA player: Manig “Ohio77” Loeser (Germany) – WSOP #2 champion
Second career bracelet won
Bryan “Pellepelle Piccioli – WSOP #12: NLH Turbo Deepstack
Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng – WSOP #13: NLH Freezeout
Allen “Acnyc718” Chang – WSOP #16: PLO8 6-Handed
Final table berths by Asia Pacific players
Ye “YUAN365” Yuan – China – 3rd place (WSOP #1), 4th place (WSOP #12)
Guo Liang “Ct188” Chen – China – 3rd place (WSOP #3)
Yueqi “anoob” Zhu – China – WSOP #13 – 6th place (WSOP #13)
Multi final tables
Michael “helionic” Dyer – 9th (WSOP #6), 6th (WSOP #10), and 8th (WSOP #12)
Joon “jykpoker” Kim – 9th (WSOP #3) and 2nd (WSOP #8)
Kenneth “ACE710” Neri – 3rd (WSOP #9) and 8th (WSOP #6)
Aaron “WompDatTHomp” Thivyanathan – 3rd (WSOP #2) and 6th (WSOP #9)
Ye “YUAN365” Yuan – 3rd (WSOP #1) and 4th (WSOP #12)
Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler – 9th (WSOP #13) and 5th (WSOP #14)
Martin “BathroomLine” ZamanI – 4TH (WSOP #4) and 5TH (WSOP #15)
Joshua “Zeal1906” Ray – 3rd (WSOP #5) and 6th (WSOP #15)
*Information based from WSOP.com, The Hendon Mob, PokerNews live reporting, and PokerNews Twitch.
WSOP #13: NLH Freezeout – Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng – US$ 108,654
Star-studded final table at the WSOP #13: $1,000 No Limit Hold’em Freezeout with five WSOP decorated players in the lineup. American pros Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng, Ankush “rickrosstheb” Mandavia, Russia’s Raman “Acrogum” Afanasenka, and China’s Yueqi “anoob” Zhu were all seeking their second gold bracelet while double ring winner Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler was hunting down his first. In the end, it was Leng who outlasted. He shipped the US$ 108,654 first prize and the coveted WSOP hardware.
With his win today, Leng has earned ~US$ 1.8 Million across 95 WSOP cashes. His 30 live cashes amount to nearly US$ 1.1 Million with his largest payout of US$ 272,765 scored for his victory at the 2018 WSOP $1,500 No Limit Hold’em Bounty event. In addition to the bracelets, Leng boasts four circuit rings, two won live and two online.
The thirteenth bracelet event was the first of two freezeout events scheduled. At US$ 1,000 buy in, it attracted 561 players for a prize pool of US$ 504,900. Out of the 90 players dipping in the money jar were multi WSOP bracelet winners Brett “furofakind” Shaffer (31st), Michael “thegrinder44” Mizrachi (54th), Steve Sung (84th), and Kristen “krissyb24” Bicknell (88th). Among the Asian players, China’s Yueqi “anoob” Zhu (6th) reached the final table after missing it by one spot at the WSOP #11 NLH Ultra Deepstack two days prior.
Date: July 13, 2021
Buy in: US$ 1,000
Players: 561
Prize pool: US$ 504,900
ITM: 90 places
Final table payouts
1st Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng – USA – US$ 108,654
2nd Carmine “Shem22” Ciccone – USA – US$ 67,303
3rd Raman “Acrogum” Afanasenka – Russia – US$ 46,350
4th Ankush “rickrosstheb” Mandavia – USA – US$ 32,465
5th Krishna “ninjaGO” Kalidas – USA – US$ 23,124
6th Yueqi “anoob” Zhu – China – US$ 16,763
7th Denis “OJLimpson” Gnidash – USA – US$ 12,370
8th Dan “Albacazapada” Stavila – USA – US$ 9,290
9th Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler – USA – US$ 7,119
Briefly reviewing the final table race, it took one hour and 28 minutes for Leng to secure the win. He entered with just 12.5 bb while chip leader Raman “Acrogum” Afanasenka had nearly 43 bb. Within the first nine minutes, five players quickly dropped. Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler (9th) fell to chip leader Afanasenka then Dan “Albacazapada” Stavila’s Ace-Eight offsuit (8th) was dominated by two Ace-Kings on a three way shove. Afanasenka binked another player, sending Denis “OJLimpson” Gnidash tumbling in 7th place. Leng won two uncalled shoves to gain enough chips to burn Zhu in 6th place. The hand saw a raised pot, flop came 
, big blind Leng checked, mid-position Zhu bet, Leng shoved 
top pair, called by Zhu with 
overpair. The turn 
gave Leng two pair, and with the river 
, Zhu’s aces were cracked and Leng boosted to 36 bb. This was Zhu’s fifth series cash. Several orbits later, Leng railed Krishna “ninjaGO” Kalidas (5th) to climb up to second rank.
Game slowed down at four handed. Leng found his way to the top then went on to deny Ankush “rickrosstheb” Mandavia in 4th place. It took another forty minutes of chips exchanging for the next casualty. Afanasenka couldn’t keep up and eventually busted to Carmine “Shem22” Ciccone on a bad beat. Heads up kicked off with Leng ahead 42 bb to 25 bb. Seven minutes in, stacks were the same and the final hand was tabled. (Hand pictured above) On a turn board 
Leng check, Ciccone bet, Leng shoved 
two pair, Ciccone called 
top pair for his tournament life but was drawing dead. The river was . Leng clasped his second gold bracelet while Ciccone pocketed a career high score of US$ 67,303.
WSOP #14: No Limit Hold’em – Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers – US$ 90,023
The WSOP #14: No Limit Hold’em was the second of its kind though with entry at a slightly higher US$ 500. 673 players signed up with 363 re-entering for 1,036 total entries and a prize pool of US$ 466,200. After two prior series cashes, the third was the golden charm for New Jersey’s Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers who took it to the limit for his maiden title. Demers locked up the dream bracelet and US$ 90,023. This was Demers‘ second largest tournament career cash. In 2011, he pocketed US$ 302,005 for running a deep 20th place at the WSOP $10,000 Main Event Championship. He now has ~US$ 633K in tournament earnings.
Leading up to the final table, 12 WSOP bracelet winners reached the money. Among them were multi winners Jeff “NedrudRelyt” Madsen (34th), Eric “Circleball” Baldwin (48th), Phil “Lumestackin” Hellmuth (73rd), Brett “furofakind” Shaffer (77th), Ben “WhyIsGamora” Yu (91st), and Michael “thegrinder44” Mizrachi (124th). At the final table, five decorated players surrounded the virtual felt. Double bracelet and double ring winner Shankar “Burgersssss” Pillai was hunting down his third bracelet, David “dwpoker” Williams and Ethan “Rampunts” Yau were seeking their second bracelet, and double ring winners Philip “tszis” Shing and Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler were seeking their first golden strap. For Wexler, it was a back to back final table. He finished 9th at the WSOP #13: NLH Freezeout.
Yau was first out and was the first of five players denied by Demers. Wexler booted Daniel “TheDinosaur” Marder, then Shing’s pocket pair held to oust the highly decorated Pillai in 7th place. Pierce “Victoria53” McKellar jammed his 
right into Demers 
, Wexler’s missed flush draw awarded Williams all of his chips, Shing became Demers third victim after his was outdrawn by , king on the board. With this bust, Demers took the lead and went on to rail Samantha “femme_fatale” Lake two pair with 
trips on a board 
. Heads up between Demers and Williams lasted all of five hands. Demers entered with 59 bb to Williams’ 17 bb. The final hand (pictured above) was Demers , Williams 
on a dry board.
Date: July 14, 2021
Buy in: US$ 500
Entries: 1,036 (673 uniques, 363 re-entries)
Prize pool: US$ 466,200
ITM: 143 places
Final table payouts
1st Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers – USA – US$ 90,023
2nd David “dwpoker” Williams – USA – US$ 55,664
3rd Samantha “femme_fatale” Lake – USA – US$ 39,207
4th Philip “tszis” Shing – USA – US$ 27,972
5th Jonas “Puffin_Nails” Wexler – USA – US$ 20,233
6th Pierce “Victoria53” McKellar – USA – US$ 14,825
7th Shankar “Burgersssss” Pillai – USA – US$ 11,049
8th Daniel “TheDinosaur” Marder – USA – US$ 8,345
9th Ethan “Rampunts” Yau – USA – US$ 6,387
WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout – Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba – US$ 253,800
The second most expensive tournament of the series has been tabled. The US$ 5,300 buy in WSOP #15 No Limit Hold’em High Roller Freezeout attracted a substantial 188 players to create the largest series pot so far of US$ 940,000. As expected, many of poker’s biggest names came out for the hunt such as Phil “Lumenstackin” Hellmuth, Daniel “DNegs” Negreanu, Erik “NW1Time” Seidel, Kristen “krissyb24” Bicknell, Chance “BingShui” Kornuth, Tony “Panoramic” Dunst, Phil “HeyGuys” Galfond, Anthony “heheh” Zinno, Joe “IhateChadE” Mckeehen, Shankar “Burgersssss” Pillai, however each one failed to cash in. Instead, it was Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba from Las Vegas who overcame the odds to bank his maiden title and first ever six figure payout of US$ 253,800. This was Saliba’s third series cash and 15th WSOP career cash.
With tournament scores tracked from just two years ago, this year has already been a big one for Saliba. Apart from this win, in June he placed 6th at the PokerGO Tour $10K No Limit Hold’em US Poker Open for US$ 46,200 and in early July, he placed 7th at The Wynn Summer Classic $3,500 No Limit Hold’em for US$ 49,987. Saliba now has ~US$ 470K in tournament earnings.
Reviewing the action at the final table, it was another power lineup that included two time GPI Player of the Year Alex “OrcinusOrca” Foxen, bracelet and double ring winner Jonathan “Art.Vandelay” Dokler, double ring winners Jesse “Patient0” Yaginuma and John “Macallan25” Riordan, ring winner Martin “BathroomLine” Zamani, and Michael “BrockLesnar” Holtz who had already cashed seven times prior. For Zamani and Joshua “Zeal1906” Ray, it was their second series final table.
The first hour and a half witnessed five players tumble, including Zamani in 5th place for his seventh series cash. Down to four players, Foxen was ahead while Saliba was the runt. It took another hour and half of heavy exchanges before the next bust. After winning a pot off Yaginuma, chip leader Foxen 
button shoved his 29 bb stack, was snap called by big blind Saliba 
, the board came 
for a full house to Saliba. Foxen plummeted to 3 bb which went to Saliba on the next hand. Backed by a massive stack, Saliba went on to rail Yaginuma then finished off Dokler in just two heads up hands.
Other decorated players in the money were series champions Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng (12th) and Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers (22nd), Almedin Imsirovic (17th), and multi bracelet winner Nick Schulman (29th).
Date: July 15, 2021
Buy in: US$ 5,300
Players: 188
Prize pool: US$ 940,000
ITM: 30 places
Final table payouts
1st Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba – USA – US$ 253,800
2nd Jonathan “Art.Vandelay” Dokler – USA – US$ 148,500
3rd Jesse “Patient0” Yaginuma – USA – US$ 84,600
4th Alex “OrcinusOrca” Foxen – USA – US$ 65,800
5th Martin “BathroomLine” Zamani – USA – US$ 56,400
6th Joshua “Zeal1906” Ray – USA – US$ 47,000
7th John “Macallan25” Riordan – USA – US$ 35,720
8th Thomas “HavanaClub” Boivin – Belgium – US$ 22,560
9th Michael “BrockLesnar” Holtz – US$ 15,980
WSOP #16: PLO8 6-Handed – Allen “Acnyc718” Chang – US$ 61,934
For Omaha enthusiasts, the sixteenth bracelet event was the US$ 600 buy in WSOP #16: PLO8 6-Handed. 293 players registered with 205 re-entering for 498 total entries and a prize pool of US$ 268,920. New Yorker Allen “Acnyc718” Chang shipped it to pocket the US$ 61,934 first prize and lock up his second career bracelet. This was also Chang’s second series cash. He placed 16th at the WSOP #1 The Big Kick Off for a small US$ 3,793 payout. Chang’s first WSOP title was earned one year ago at the 2020 WSOP Online No Limit Hold’em Freezeout event.
The player to watch for at the final table was highly achieved pro Andrew “WATCHGUY42” Lichtenberger who, like Chang, was hunting down his second WSOP bracelet. Lichtenberger was also decorated with two circuit rings and over US$ 11 Million in tournament career earnings. However, Lichtenberger’s chase was cut short by Chang who dusted the pro within the first five minutes. Another five minutes later, Chang sent Chris “pdx2nyc” Leslie-Hynan packing in 5th place. Player “PiggyBear” bit it next with Edwin “YungFlipWell” Roman scooping it up. Big stacked Chang railed Ryan “SantasBzack2” Stoker in 3rd place to battle Roman for the title. Chang led 4:1. It was a swift five minutes of action for Chang to secure the win and his second career gold bracelet.
Other players in the money were Brett “furofakind” Shaffer, Michael “helionic” Dyer, Calvin “projector52” Anderson, David “dwpoker” Williams, Nathan “surfbum” Gamble, Argentina’s Andres Korn, and China’s Yueqi “anoob” Zhu.
Date: July 16, 2021
Buy in: US$ 600
Entries: 498 (293 uniques, 205 re-entries)
Prize pool: US$ 268,920
ITM: 72 places
Final table payouts
1st Allen “Acnyc718” Chang – USA – US$ 61,934
2nd Edwin “YungFlipWell” Roman – USA – US$ 37,837
3rd Ryan “SantasBzack2” Stoker – USA – US$ 25,843
4th Brian “PiggyBear” Hacker – USA – US$ 17,964
5th Chris “pdx2nyc” Leslie-Hynan – USA – US$ 12,747
6th Andrew “WATCHGUY42” Lichtenberger – USA – US$ 9,197
Next bracelet events
Another mixed bag of games coming up next. First up is another No Limit Hold’em 8-Max event and with buy in at a much cheaper US$ 400, it is expected to draw a big field. This event is followed by the US$ 1K buy in No Limit Hold’em North American Open, next is for Omaha lovers, the PLO Crazy Eights 8-Handed at US$ 888 buy in, and for the big guns, the US$ 3,200 buy in NLH High Roller.
July 17: WSOP #17: No Limit Hold’em 8-Max – US$ 400 buy in
July 18: WSOP #18: No Limit Hold’em North American Open – US$ 1,000 buy in
July 19: WSOP #19: Pot Limit Omaha Crazy Eights 8-Handed – US$ 888 buy in
July 20: WSOP #20: No Limit Hold’em High Roller – US$ 3,200 buy in
Again, the event to mark down is the WSOP #33: No Limit Hold’em Grand Finale US$ 1,000,000 guaranteed, taking place on August 1. Buy in is just US$ 500.
2021 WSOP Online champions
WSOP #1: NLH The Big 500 Kick Off – Jose “deposit” Noboa – USA – US$ 105,161
WSOP #2: NLH Monster Stack – Manig “Ohio77” Loeser – Germany – US$ 104,313
WSOP #3: NLH Turbo Deepstack – Donnell “Spreezy52” Dais – USA – US$ 90,801
WSOP #4: NLH Super Turbo – Jeffery “Steelvikes7” Hoop – USA – US$ 73,861
WSOP #5: NLH 8-Max – Jeremiah “freestylerr” Williams – USA – US$ 139,600
WSOP #6: NLH Deepstack – Tyler “ShipTheShip” Denson – USA – US$ 175,700
WSOP #7: NLH Lucky 7’s – Michael “Stiltwalk” Mercaldo – USA – US$ 123,574
WSOP #8: NLH Crazy Eights – Carlos “CarlosWelch” Welch – USA – US$ 124,369
WSOP #9: NLH 6-Max – Philip “wingsuiter” Beck – USA – US$ 81,534
WSOP #10: No Limit Hold’em – Michael “njnj17” Leib – USA – US$ 81,645
WSOP #11: NLH Ultra Deepstack – Vijay “Eclypzed” Para – US$ 86,210
WSOP #12: NLH Turbo Deepstack – Bryan “Pellepelle Piccioli – US$ 83,332
WSOP #13: NLH Freezeout – Ryan “Adopt_aDogg0” Leng – US$ 108,654
WSOP #14: No Limit Hold’em – Gionni “COLDWARKID” Demers – US$ 90,023
WSOP #15: NLH High Roller Freezeout – Justin “Jsaliba2” Saliba – USA – US$ 253,800
WSOP #16: PLO8 6-Handed – Allen “Acnyc718” Chang – USA – US$ 61,934
Stick with us at Somuchpoker as we bring you recaps and updates of the ongoing series. All times and dates are listed in Las Vegas, Nevada time.
Tricia David
Tricia David has long experience as a recreational poker player and has been covering poker events since 2010 for numerous outfits in Asia. She spent one year working part time with Poker Portal Asia then became editor and lead writer for all event coverage of the Philippine Poker Tour (PPT). Under the PPT, she overlooked content for their website, and produced live updates on all their events. In addition, she served as the live and online events website content writer for the Asian Poker Tour. Currently, she does live events reporting in Asia for online news site Somuchpoker and is also one of their news contributors.
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