Daniel Weinman wins the 2023 WSOP Main Event for $12.1 Million

Backed by an electrified rail that chanted “pinot grigio, pinot grigio”, with Shaun Deeb, Phil Hellmuth, and other big names in support, USA’s Daniel Weinman knocked out the last two players of the final table to capture the 2023 WSOP Main Event title. He won the championship gold bracelet and a life-changing 12.1 Million US dollars.

In an interview, Weinman was overjoyed,

“It doesn’t feel real. I mean, so much luck in a poker tournament. I thought I played very well, but so many hands that, I got incredibly lucky for the situations to arise. When we were down to three, I did feel like I was the best player. And a couple good hands at the right time, it all came together. Having some of the best  in the world be on my side and have my back and tell me that I belong in this class, it’s just incredible.”

Weinman went on to say that life was not going to change, more money in the bank will just mean more golf and more travel. However, as Chris Moneymaker has mentioned, that’s not easy. And with this year’s Main Event a record-breaker, that has yet to be seen.

“Poker has evolved so much compared to his time. Back then, they needed a face to poker. I don’t think that I am needed in that today. I’ll probably have to do a bunch of interviews but I don’t really want to be a professional poker player. I enjoy playing poker only once or twice a week. It is a fantastic hobby.”

With poker played all around the world, Somuchpoker asked if there was chance of plugging Asia in his calendar,

“I’ve actually been to Asia a couple of times. I’ve been to a WPT event in Japan and in India. I’ve also been to Sanya for poker. Japan is actually my favorite place in the world and already had a trip planned back in March. I ended up being close with Masato (Yokosawa), the famous Japanese poker streamer, and we got into some talks about doing something during that trip. I’m not sure if it will happen this year but it’s also not entirely out of the question.”

Final 3 race to the title

The final 3 players returned and with the average at 100 bigs, it was predicted to be a long day. One hour in, the players went on their first break. Upon returning, it took only several minutes before Adam Walton was eliminated with shoving into Weinman’s . In his disappointment, Walton explained,

“I was trying to play more small ball in situations so I thought by flatting, it would induce Daniel to squeeze so instead of calling I decided ripping was best. But now, in retrospect, if I would have 3-bet pre and he 4-bet, I think it would have been a lot easier to get out. Obviously I wish I played it different.”

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After a short break to bring in the cash and dump it all on the table, heads up proceeded with Weinman way ahead in the count. In less than an hour, Steven Jones shoved on a board and was called. Jones had top pair, Weinman turned over and fist pumped knowing he was ahead with one card to go. The river came . It was all over for Jones and the 2023 champion was Weinman.

The 54th Annual World Series of Poker $10,000 No Limit Hold’em World Championship was a record-breaker with 10,043 players. This beat the 2006 record of 8,773 players by a long shot, and to pass the torch, it was only fitting that Jamie Gold present the championship bracelet to Weinman.

The Main Event amassed a $93,399,900 prize pool with the top 1,507 places paid. Eight players walked away as millionaires with Weinman stealing the show and the $12,100,000 cash prize.

*All photos courtesy of pokerGO