Las Vegas, June 30, 2025 — The World Series of Poker (WSOP) is no stranger to drama, but this year’s $1,500 Millionaire Maker final table will go down as one of the most controversial in poker history. In a shocking and unprecedented move, the WSOP announced that no bracelet will be awarded for Event #53 after an investigation into alleged chip dumping between final two players Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll.
This scandal has rocked the poker world and sparked heated debates about ethics in poker, the responsibilities of operators, and the growing influence of third-party bonuses like the ClubWPT Gold $1 million prize—a prize that may have influenced the integrity of the game.
A 9-to-1 Comeback Raises Eyebrows
The Millionaire Maker is one of the most beloved events of the WSOP, attracting a staggering 11,996 entrants this year. With over $1.2 million guaranteed for first and an additional $1 million ClubWPT Gold bonus for Jesse Yaginuma if he could win, the stakes were massive.
Heads-up play began with James Carroll holding a dominant 9-to-1 chip lead. Yet, in a surprising series of hands, Yaginuma made a swift and almost too convenient comeback. It wasn’t long before poker Twitter lit up with accusations of chip dumping. Experienced players dissected the stream, highlighting soft plays, questionable folds, and bizarre betting patterns.
The core of the controversy? Many believed Carroll intentionally handed Yaginuma the bracelet, enabling him to claim the extra ClubWPT $1 million bonus that only he was eligible for.
WSOP Investigates and Drops the Hammer
With the poker community demanding answers, the WSOP put a temporary hold on payouts and the bracelet ceremony. What followed was a brief but thorough investigation.
On June 30, WSOP released a public statement on X (formerly Twitter):
“The investigation into WSOP Event 53 has been completed.
We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized and no bracelet will be awarded for this year’s tournament.
The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players.”
This announcement shocked the community. For the first time in WSOP history, a bracelet-worthy event concluded with no champion. Both Yaginuma and Carroll will receive $1,133,750 each, a split of the original first and second place prizes. However, Yaginuma still walks away with the ClubWPT Gold $1 million bonus, as the contest rules only required him to finish first in payout, not officially receive the bracelet.
Poker Community Reacts
Reactions across social media were explosive. Some applauded the WSOP’s bold decision to defend the game’s integrity, while others questioned why payouts were not withheld further or why players weren’t penalized beyond public scrutiny.
High-stakes pro Matt Berkey commented,
“Glad WSOP made the tough call. But if money’s still paid and bonuses still given, did anything really change?”
Meanwhile, other voices questioned ClubWPT’s bonus structure, suggesting that attaching million-dollar incentives without oversight could indirectly influence final table dynamics and even encourage soft collusion.
Who Are the Players Involved?
Jesse Yagnuma, a seasoned pro with over $3.9 million in live tournament cashes, was gunning for his fourth bracelet—and his first from a live event. His previous three were all online WSOP titles, making this his chance to truly shine on the big stage. Now, despite the payday and bonus, his legacy is mired in controversy.
James Carroll, another respected name with deep runs and WSOP final tables under his belt, was positioned to close the event comfortably. But now, his decision-making is under heavy scrutiny. Was it friendship? A deal? Or just poorly executed heads-up strategy?
We may never know. Neither player has made a public statement at the time of writing.
What This Means for Poker Moving Forward
This decision could set a precedent. For years, the poker community has grappled with issues like chip dumping, soft play, and incentivized collusion. With online satellites, external bonuses, and third-party incentives becoming more common, tournament organizers now face the added burden of ensuring those offers don’t disrupt competitive fairness.
It also shines a light on the importance of transparency in final table deals. While deal-making isn’t prohibited, it often happens behind closed doors. The Millionaire Maker incident may prompt stricter enforcement of WSOP rules, perhaps even banning or limiting unsupervised heads-up deals in major events.
ClubWPT’s Bonus Structure: A Double-Edged Sword?
This isn’t the first time a ClubWPT Gold qualifier has won a bracelet and collected a $1 million bonus this summer. Michael Lavin did so earlier in Event #20: $1,500 NLH Shootout, cleanly winning his bracelet and the bonus.
But the Yaginuma-Carroll incident may cause WSOP and WPT to revisit their partnership structures. When a seven-figure bonus is involved, especially one that’s only available to a single player, the incentive to collude—whether explicitly or subtly—becomes dangerously high.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 WSOP Millionaire Maker scandal is a watershed moment for the game. It’s not just about two players at a final table—it’s about the future integrity of tournament poker. The WSOP made the tough call, and in doing so, sent a clear message: no prize is worth more than the game’s honor.
As the WSOP continues, all eyes will remain on tournament floors—not just for great poker, but for fair play. The community deserves nothing less.
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Sources: pokernews