The high-stakes action at the $10,400 buy-in World Poker Tour World Championship (WPTWC) is reaching its crescendo as Day 3 concluded on Wednesday at the Wynn Las Vegas. With only 61 players remaining from a massive field, the stakes have never been higher. All eyes are now set on the final table, scheduled for December 21, where one skilled player will walk away with an astounding $3,138,900 first-place prize.
The Final Stretch
Leading the charge into Day 4 is Michael Berk, a poker pro from Indiana with over $1 million in live cashes according to The Hendon Mob. Berk bagged a colossal stack of 8,110,000 chips and appears poised for a deep run. Close on his heels is Serhii Popovych with 7,945,000 chips, while Fabian Gumz, a seasoned WPT Prime champion, sits in third with 7,165,000 chips.
The WPTWC has drawn an impressive mix of poker stars, including Mikita Badziakouski, Chris Moorman, Paul Volpe, and Mark Seif. Moorman, a household name in poker, finished fourth in this event last year, pocketing $2,095,200. His strong showing on Day 3 indicates he’s once again a serious contender.
Day 4 will commence at noon PT with six 90-minute levels scheduled. The tension will be palpable as players fight for a spot at the final table and their share of one of the largest prize pools in WPT history.
Day 3 Highlights
Unlike the first two days of the event, Day 3 provided some breathing room for short stacks as the money bubble had burst late on Day 2. With all remaining players guaranteed a payout, the dynamics shifted. Early in the session, the lack of significant pay jumps encouraged aggressive play, leading to rapid eliminations.
A total of 299 players began Day 3, and the field was whittled down to 61 by the end of the night. Short stacks, knowing there was little value in laddering up early, pushed their chips into the middle with hopes of building enough momentum to survive another day.
The aggressive play led to early fireworks, and some notable names saw their tournament dreams dashed:
- Mike Leah, who scraped into the money on Day 2 with less than a single big blind, was among the first to exit. He finished in 286th place, taking home $19,600.
- Ethan “Rampage” Yau, a popular poker vlogger and ambassador for WPT Global, busted shortly after in 283rd place, also for $19,600.
- Vince Van Patten, a familiar face as a WPT commentator, was eliminated in 265th place ($19,600), leaving the broadcast team without a representative in the field.
The eliminations came quickly throughout the day, with 149 players hitting the rail before the first significant pay jump was reached. Among the notable exits was Nadya Magnus, who bowed out in 63rd place for $59,000, and Michael Gathy, who finished 67th for $60,000. Gathy holds a unique distinction in this event as one of only two players to cash in all three editions of the WPT World Championship, alongside Igor Kurganov.
A Record-Breaking Event
The $10,400 buy-in WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas has solidified its place as one of the marquee events in poker. The tournament boasts a record-breaking prize pool, attracting an eclectic mix of seasoned professionals, rising stars, and recreational players chasing poker glory.
This year’s event is particularly significant as it caps off a historic season for the World Poker Tour. The Wynn-Encore convention center has been buzzing with excitement as players navigate the grueling levels of play, all while showcasing their skills on one of poker’s biggest stages.
As the tournament advances to Day 4, the stakes will rise dramatically. The remaining 61 players are guaranteed a minimum payout of $59,000, but the payouts will jump into six-figure territory early in the day. By the time play concludes, the field will be significantly smaller, with only a select few moving one step closer to the final table.
Michael Berk holds the chip lead, but with heavy hitters like Moorman, Badziakouski, and Volpe still in the hunt, the path to victory is far from certain. Each decision will carry immense weight, as one misstep could mean the difference between a life-changing payday and a disappointing finish.
Play resumes at noon PT in the luxurious setting of the Wynn-Encore convention center. The remaining six 90-minute levels will test the endurance and skill of the surviving players as they battle for a shot at poker immortality.
Stay tuned as the WPT World Championship continues to deliver thrilling moments and high-stakes drama, proving once again why it’s one of the most prestigious events in the poker calendar.