Since 2002, Pokerstars have taken upon their shoulders the task of creating a world championship for the greatest online players in the world. The series has grown in both buy ins, number of events, and also recognition, in the 13 years since. The first edition in 2002 had 9 events, including a $1,050 Main Event, which attracted just 238 runners. Fast forward to 2015 and instead of a little over $65,000 for 1st, we have 1,995 runners in a $5,200 buy in event, with the winner taking home $1.3 million.
The entire WCOOP 2015 series awarded a record breaking $66 million in prize money, beating the 2010 previous record by $3 million. The 2015 Main Event saw a $10 million guarantee on the prize pool, which resulted in a small overlay, as 2,000 entries were needed to cross the $10 million mark. Of the 1,995 runners, 243 cashed for at least $12,000. The initial 1st place prize money was set at over $1.7million, but a deal was made 4 handed. It was Belgian national ‘Coenaldinho7’ who eventually won the bracelet after the deal was made, taking home $1.3 million for his efforts.
The final standings were as follows:
– 1st Coenaldinho7 – $1.3 million
– 2nd AlwaysiNduCe – $1.0 million
– 3rd Nolet20 – $1.2 million
– 4th beertjes79 – $800,000
– 5th Ravic85 – $400,000
– 6th Mr.Kingball – $273,000
– 7th K.T.A.-1985 – $200,000
– 8th joiso – $150,000
– 9th bindernutnut – $100,000
Asian Players: Akira Ohyama and Adi Agarwal
There were no Asian players among the final 9 but that could so easily have been a very different story, with several Asian players going deep, including a couple of notable names. Adi Agarwal, one of Pokerstars’ more recent additions to their team of pros, undoubtedly made Pokerstars, and his home country of India proud with his performance, holding the chip lead at one point late on, but eventually falling in a creditable 13th place for $53,000. He was the last team Pokerstars pro standing. The second to last one standing was none other than Japanese national and also recent addition to the team, Naoya ‘nkeyno’ Kihara who finished 197th for $13,000.
There were other Asian players involved in the late stages, including ‘shogi999’ (Japan – 186th) ‘felter1989’ (India – 158th) ‘RayJing’ (Hong Kong – 142nd) and ‘hyahhoo3’ (Japan – 20th) but the accolade of last Asian player standing went to Akira ‘Clutch Hero’ Ohyama (Japan – 12th.) He narrowly outlasted Adi Agarwal, and took home $63,000. Akira Ohyama played the WCOOP Main Event despite being signed as a representative of 888Poker. He is an MTT specialist with over $258,000 in profit to his name before his latest result, and several live cashes, including 2nd place at an APPT KO Bounty event. He is 29th on Japan’s all time money list, and an exceptional talent.
Last Asian Player standing in the Main Event: Akira ‘Clutch Hero’ Ohyama
Player of the Series: Shaun Deeb
While there are many talking points in relation to the Main Event itself, it is also important to take a wider look at the 2015 WCOOP series and give a mention to the man who won his third WCOOP title while storming into the lead for the ‘Player of the Series’ award in the final days. Shaun Deeb, simply known as ‘shaundeeb’ online, managed to pull out a sizeable gap towards the end, finishing with 480 points compared to his nearest challenger with 395. He remains one of the most feared and respected players in both mixed games and Holdem tournaments, and has a fantastic reputation when it comes to major online championships.
Player of the Series: Shaun Deeb
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Louis Hartwell
Graduated in Media Communication at the University of Lausanne, Louis Hartman is a co-founder of somuchpoker.com. He began his career in Cambodia as freelance journalist. In same time he was making his living by playing poker every night at that time. Intense learner, he read dozens of poker strategy books to improve his skills during many years. With a strong interest about poker "behind the scene" in Asia and his communication skills, Louis launched Somuchpoker in 2014.
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