WSOP Paradise 2023: Season Finale Ushers in New Poker Era
Image courtesy: WSOP/GGPoker
December 2023 marked the debut of the World Series of Poker Paradise, a winter event that drew poker’s elite and aspiring stars to the vibrant Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas. Against a backdrop of tropical sun and world-class action, players vied for a coveted set of 15 championship bracelets, with millions of dollars at stake before the poker calendar reset for a new year.
Super Main Event Smashes Records: Zhou Claims Victory
Headlining this iconic series was the $25,000 WSOP Super Main Event, which set a new benchmark with an unprecedented $50 million guaranteed prize pool—the largest ever offered in poker tournament history. After days of play against an international field, 24-year-old Yinan Zhou of China, now living in Switzerland, secured the title and $6 million top prize, along with his first-ever WSOP bracelet. Zhou, known primarily for his prowess in online events, built on his 28th-place finish at the previous year’s Bahamas main event, which had brought him $72,000.
“I have no plan [for the money]… it is big money. Now I feel good. I decided to play more, practice more, study more to become better and better, to fight against the best and become the best.” – Yinan Zhou
Poker Superstars and Emerging Champs: Highlights from the Bahamas
The new WSOP Paradise wasn’t just about one winner—several top professionals and rising stars claimed the spotlight across the series. Here are some notable triumphs:
- Alex Foxen captured his third gold bracelet by winning the $100,000 Triton Main Event, adding $3.9 million to lifetime tournament winnings now at $42.8 million. Foxen’s impressive end-of-year run included a $1.5 million win at a $50,000 Triton Poker event in November and an online WSOP bracelet in October. He continued his form into the new year with a $25,000 title at Florida’s Lucky Hearts Open for $426,075.
- Eric Wasserson of Pennsylvania took down the $26,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship, earning $353,340 and his first championship bracelet.
- Jeffery Hakim, also from Pennsylvania, won the $2,750 Mini Main Event for $575,050 — the largest payday of his professional career.
- Mike Gorodinsky secured his fourth bracelet by triumphing in the $10,400 Pot Limit Omaha for $393,250.
- Nick Schulman, celebrated poker commentator, collected his sixth series title in the $5,000 Turbo Bounty event (prize: $145,000), bringing his total live tournament winnings to nearly $22 million.
Image Credit: Shutterstock/Kitreel
- Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo, the Argentinian rapper and PokerStars ambassador, made headlines by taking the $525,000 Triton Million event for over $12 million and his first WSOP bracelet. This win propelled his total tournament winnings close to $15 million, following other victories, such as the $5,150 event in Cyprus (October 2023, $102,292).
- Stephen Chidwick from England collected his second bracelet after winning the $50,000 Pot Limit Omaha Championship for $1.4 million. He currently ranks third on poker’s all-time earnings list, holding $63.4 million.
CAMPEÓN DE TRITON MILLION WSOP
Mi primer brazalete ❤️
— Alejandro “Papo MC” Lococo via Twitter, December 2024
WSOP Under New Management: GGPoker Era Begins
This Bahamas festival marked a pivotal chapter for the World Series of Poker as it was among the first flagship events held since GGPoker acquired the brand from Caesars Entertainment earlier in the year. The online poker powerhouse is already expanding the WSOP’s reach, increasing both online and live opportunities for players across the globe and helping more online contenders qualify for major international tournaments such as this one.
Poker luminaries also continued to make headlines amid the transition. Seven-time bracelet holder and GGPoker ambassador Daniel Negreanu placed eighth in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha event for $45,710. Throughout the series, Negreanu kept fans engaged with his staple video updates and poker vlogs.
Image Credit: Pokerstars.Net
Earlier in the 2024 Las Vegas WSOP summer series, Negreanu finally secured the elusive $50,000 Poker Players Championship bracelet—one of the most prestigious crowns for high-stakes professionals—netting $1.2 million after a string of near-misses.
“Obviously this one is special, but I wouldn’t want to relive all the second-place finishes that I had. It felt like it was like 10 in a row. And the anxiety and stress, just to be over it – and to get all the chips in the end, win the all-ins, it’s just a massive relief.” – Daniel Negreanu (to PokerGO)
As the final hands were dealt and the Paradise series concluded, anticipation was already swelling for next summer’s Las Vegas WSOP—recently announced and confirmed for eager fans and players. As Negreanu commented, “Man time flies. Finishing up WSOP Paradise and already have WSOP Vegas to look forward to.”
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the World Series of Poker?
With major changes at the helm and a wave of new champions crowned, the conclusion of WSOP Paradise underlines the series’ enduring appeal and promise. As the poker world transitions into a new year, all eyes now turn to Las Vegas, where the next round of bracelet dreams awaits—and the chase for poker glory continues.
