Jonathan Tamayo emerged victorious in the 2024 World Series of Poker $10,000 Main Event, securing a stunning $10 million after outlasting a record-setting field of 10,112 entries. This monumental win marks the pinnacle of Tamayo’s poker career, hailing from Humble, Texas, where he has built an impressive tournament history.
The grueling tournament spanned 15 days, from July 3 to July 17, culminating in an intense showdown against Jordan Griff. Over the course of 10 exhausting days of play, Tamayo displayed resilience and skill, ultimately claiming the championship title.
Tamayo’s Impressive Poker Background
Jonathan Tamayo’s poker journey began in 2006, and before this groundbreaking win, he had amassed $2.3 million in live tournament earnings. He previously made his mark by finishing 21st in the 2009 Main Event and reached two other final tables at the WSOP, along with earning four WSOP Circuit rings. His remarkable performance in the 2024 Main Event is a testament to his dedication and talent in the game.
In a remarkable display of Texas pride, Tamayo was one of six Texans who finished in the top 100 of the Main Event. The Lone Star State boasts a rich poker heritage, exemplified by its famous variant, Texas Hold’em. Although online poker and retail gambling remain illegal in Texas in 2024, players can still engage in card games at Texas sweepstakes casinos, keeping the spirit of the game alive. The state has produced poker legends like Johnny Moss, Amarillo Slim Preston, Doyle Brunson, and WSOP founder Benny Binion.

The Tournament’s Progression
Tamayo’s remarkable run began with a strategic choice: he entered the tournament on Day 2D, where he ended the day with an impressive stack of 272,500 chips, significantly exceeding the starting stack of 60,000. As the tournament unfolded, Day 3 marked a crucial juncture, as all players combined into one field. Tamayo started the day in 561st place but quickly tripled his stack to finish with 823,000 chips as the day ended just above the bubble.
As the tournament progressed to Day 5, Tamayo faced challenges but managed to finish the day with 5.43 million chips, positioning himself for a strong push into the later stages. Day 6 saw Tamayo continue his momentum, surpassing the 10 million chip mark and ending with 13.3 million. By Day 7, he was sitting in 14th place with 18.4 million chips, setting the stage for a thrilling conclusion.
The action intensified on Day 8, where Tamayo doubled his stack with pocket aces, ultimately finishing the day with 30.7 million chips as the field narrowed to ten players. As play concluded for the day, Tamayo entered the final table as the seventh chip leader, ready to contend for the championship.
The Final Table Showdown
The final table commenced on July 16, with Tamayo sitting with 26.7 million chips. As the action unfolded, he made crucial decisions, including folding pocket queens pre-flop against the chip leader, Joe Serock. Tamayo’s resilience shone through as he navigated the shorter stacks and executed key doubles, propelling himself to third place at one point.
As the tournament reached its climax, Tamayo entered the final day with a strong second-place position among the final three players. A fierce heads-up battle ensued between Tamayo and Griff, with both players exchanging the chip lead multiple times. However, Tamayo’s strategic play ultimately secured his victory when he flopped two pair, defeating Griff’s top pair and claiming the coveted title.
Following his remarkable win, Tamayo expressed disbelief at his achievement, stating that it felt surreal. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with the champion on PlayTexas, where he will share insights about his unforgettable journey to victory.
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