Top WSOP Stories in 2021
What Happened Early at the 2021 World Series of Poker?
The action was intense from the off as the rescheduled WSOP kicked off in late September and concluded close to the end of November. Seven weeks of action gave new and old players bracelets, including Daniel Lazrus, one of the stars of the first few weeks at the felt.
There was amazing news for poker fans of all ages as Doyle ‘Texas Dolly’ Brunson arrived, not just to take his seat in the Main Event, but to play other events too. The poker legend, who won back-to-back Main Event in the 1970s with the winning hand of ten-deuce, has 10 WSOP bracelets, second only to Phil ‘The Poker Brat’ Hellmuth. He may not have added to the haul in 2021, but Doyle Brunson warmed the hearts of anyone who loves poker just by arriving at the Rio.
One player to lock up a WSOP bracelet for the first time was Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, who snagged gold in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in a rather amusing outfit. Cates, who has since signed to Run It Once in a viral video, was one of the stars of the World Series of Poker, including his turn next to Phil Hellmuth for the Poker Brat’s ‘magical’ entrance. Every poker fan wants to know how to play like Cates, and on which site, so the world held its breath to hear what the high stakes legend had to say.
There was a lot of discussion surrounding Phil Hellmuth throughout the 2021 World Series. The former world champion and Las Vegas legend thrilled fans as he made it 16 WSOP bracelets with an early win. Shaun Deeb wasn’t impressed, however, stating that he would one day win more than ‘Big Phil’. Could Deeb back up the boast? Read all about it here.
Who Won the High Roller Events at the 2021 WSOP?
Some of the biggest poker games took place at this year’s WSOP. It was no surprise when one of the biggest winners was the man who seemed to have 2021 at his mercy, the all-conquering Australian, Michael Addamo. He won the $100,000-entry high roller to bank another huge seven-figure score.
Another winner was the Belarussian player Mikita Badziakouski, who also won a WSOP bracelet in a mega buy-in event. Badziakouski, who seems to have snuck into the top 20 players in the world almost without notice, is fast developing into one of the most feared poker players in the world.
Spanish pro Adrian Mateos won one of the biggest top prizes all Autumn as he sealed victory in the Super High Roller at the 2021 WSOP for a massive $3.2 million. Mateos, who now has four WSOP bracelets to his name despite being only 27 years old, is in line for a deep run for a very long career at the top table in poker.
What Other Major Stories Emerged at the 2021 WSOP?
Our own Dara O’Kearney took to his keyboard to explain two rulings that shaped his 2021 World Series of Poker. In his insight, exclusive to Gamble Online, he delved into the world of the WSOP in a way few fans have ever really seen. It was a fascinating look behind the curtain from one of the most charismatic players on the tour.
It’s easy for poker players to worry about the safety of poker sites, especially if they are playing on mobile but it’s important to be secure as you battle at the felt. But what about taxation? We covered in depth the final nine of the WSOP Main Event and what they actually won at the final table. It was one of the most important pieces of writing we looked into all year, and the results shocked even us.
Who Were the Best Players at the 2021 WSOP?
It’s easy to simply announce the Player of the Year as the king (or queen one day) of the WSOP. But reaching a record seven final tables and winning his 16th bracelet, Phil Hellmuth really did emerge from the Rio as its dominant player in so many events that he is impossible to overlook. A stunning year from the Poker Brat.
The WSOP Player of the Year was, of course, Josh Arieh. The Pocket Fives owner won two bracelets of the four he has taken in his lifetime in Vegas and topped the POY leaderboard ahead of good friend and huge rival Phil Hellmuth. Arieh won the top prize for winning the Player of the Year award, but priceless bragging rights and a flag at Bally’s or Paris next year will be worth even more to the eponymous winner and poker legend. Who said 2022 Hall of Fame inductee?
Finally, the WSOP Main Event winner is always a headline maker and this year was no different. Topping the November Nine was German player Koray Aldemir, who beat George Holmes heads-up to take the title and top prize of $8 million. Aldemir is bound to be a very interesting poker ambassador in the next five months, as he prepares for the shortest period between WSOP Main Events in the competition’s history.
