2019 WSOP Highlights: Records Fall as Phil Ivey Antes Up

June 10th, 2019 | by Jason Reynolds

The 2019 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is into its second week and already records have been broken and stars have shone.

Records fall as big-name pros start their push for glory at the 2019 WSOP in Las Vegas. (Image: MasterClass)

Topping the latest list of newsworthy headlines is the Big 50. Designed to be the largest, best value WSOP event in history, the Big 50 didn’t disappoint.

Records Fall at 2019 WSOP

Running for a total of 11 days between May 30 and June 5, the $500 tournament welcomed 28,371 entries. That total not only made it the largest live poker event in history but pushed the prizepool to a heady $13.5 million.

With a combination of pros, novices and qualifiers in the mix, the bracelet could have gone to anyone. At the end 51 levels, it was Femi Fashakin who clinched the $1,147,499 top prize.

Despite having just short of $60,000 in live cashes to his name prior to the event, the American put in a masterful performance on the final table.

Starting the finale with the chip lead, Fashakin pushed the pace at every opportunity. By the time he was heads-up against Paul Cullen, the title was almost a formality.

In the end, pocket aces were enough for Fashakin to take home a life-changing sum of money and join Brian Green as a 2019 WSOP winner.

Ivey Joins Big Name Pros Vying for WSOP Glory

With the Big 50 making waves, next to rock the WSOP was Phil Ivey. Even without making a final table or winning a bracelet, the so-called Tiger Woods of poker always captures the interest of the poker media.

This year, Ivey made his WSOP debut in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo event. Registering late on Day 2, the game’s most elusive but talked about player only lasted a few hours before hitting the rail.

While the cash games will likely keep Ivey occupied for the next few weeks, he’ll no doubt return for more high stakes tournament this summer.

Galfond Almost Gets Gold

Just as the action inside the Rio has made for compelling viewing since the end of May, so too have events online. Part of the ever-expanding online bracelet series, Event #24 attracted 1,216 entries.

With each player paying $600 to WSOP.com, the final prizepool stopped just short of $655,000. When the final table rolled around on June 10, Phil Galfond was the rail’s pick to win the Pot Limit Omaha showdown.

Playing under the screen name HeyGuys, Galfond was by far the most experienced player in the mix. However, when as the chips started to fly, the American had to settle for fifth place and $29,680.

With the toughest player eliminated, Loofa was able to pick up their first WSOP bracelet. After a back-and-forth with TheBigGift, a nut flush secured Loofa the win and a $139,740.

As the 2019 WSOP rolls on, poker fans can expect many more stories to emerge from Las Vegas. Indeed, with the top pros and biggest events yet to come, we’ll be on hand to bring you all highlights from the world’s top tournament series.