WPT World Championship final 45 includes Asian players Ren Lin, Ankit Ahuja, James Chen; WPT Prime Championship resumes, Valeriy Pak among final 6

 

As the World Poker Tour (WPT) season ender grinds down to its final days at Wynn Las Vegas, coveted titles and top prizes are now within reach at the WPT World Championship and WPT Prime Championship. Asian players and circuit regulars are among the contenders. Here’s a quick update on the incoming action.

WPT World Championship down to 45 players

The quest for the coveted WPT World Championship title presses on as only 45 players remain from the initial 3,835 entries. While each player is assured a substantial return of $111,300, the aim is to secure a spot in the final 6. Reaching this stage brings the guarantee of seven figures for each contender, it also positions them one step closer to claiming the mighty top prize of $5,678,000 and have their name etched on the Mike Sexton Champions Cup.

Among the remaining are Asian descent contenders boasting highly decorated accomplishments: Ren Lin (China), Ankit Ahuja (India), and James Chen (Taiwan). Notables also in the running are three WPT Champions Club players Chris Moorman, Alex Foxen, Roberto Romanello, EPT Sochi Main Event champion Artur Martirosyan, and Kristen Foxen, one of the world’s top female players.

Follow the action via the Live Updates on WPT.com.

The WPT World Championship is the most ambitious event of the brand which features a $40 Million guarantee  With 3,835 entries, it produced a $2.4 Million overlay. Among the Asian players reaching the money round in the top 200 were APL Seoul City Series champion Hyunsup Kim (133rd), WSOP triple bracelet winner Yan Shing “Anson” Tsang (147th), Malaysia’s Wai Kiat Lee (153rd), Korea’s Soo Jo Kim (171st), and CTP founder Hsing Hsiung “David” Tai (189th).

WPT Prime Championship: Down to the Final 6, Eyeing the 7-Figure Payout

The colossal WPT Prime Championship, boasting a staggering 10,512 entries, has narrowed down to the final 6 players. Out of the mammoth $10,196,640 prize pool, the remaining players are each guaranteed a substantial return of $290,000, which is an impressive 290 times the initial $1,100 buy-in, however, the spotlight shines brightest on the lone seven-figure payout awaiting the ultimate champion – a jaw dropping $1,386,280 – which includes a coveted seat worth $10,400 to the 2024 WPT World Championship.

The final table is dominated by representatives from the host country, the USA, with five players determined to keep the title on home turf. Jay Lu leads the pack. Amidst this American dominance, a formidable contender from Uzbekistan, Valeriy Pak, stands poised to disrupt the plans and potentially bring the championship home for Asia.

Jay Lu	USA	77 bb
Calvin Anderson	USA	62 bb
Bob Buckenmayer	USA	48 bb
Jon Glendinning	USA	28 bb
Valeriy Pak	Uzbekistan	25 bb
Aaron Pinson	USA	24 bb

Pak is without a doubt the dark horse among the final contenders. This being his first trip to the world’s poker capital Las Vegas, his strong presence has been consistent throughout, bagging the second largest stack at the end of Day 2 and Day 3.

This consistent pace goes as well for two-time WSOP bracelet winner Calvin Anderson who has maintained his top tier rank since the start of Day 2 (ranked 14th). Anderson bagged the chip lead at the end of Day 2 and third rank end of Day 3.

Another underdog is Aaron Pinson who has had the hardest climb of the bunch. Pinson entering Day 2 near bottom, ranked 1,120 out of the 1,390 qualifiers. He then found his way into the final 9 roster and held on to earn a spot in the final 6.

Follow the action via the Live Updates on WPT.com. 

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*All photos by WPT