The 10 Largest Main Event Poker Prizes in History
Image: wsop.com
Poker’s Biggest Payouts: Main Events That Made History
When Chris Moneymaker won the World Series of Poker (WSOP) in 2003, he kicked off a poker boom no one could have predicted. Since then, the WSOP Main Event has consistently attracted thousands of hopefuls, generating staggering prize pools and propelling champions to poker stardom. Below, we explore the ten most lucrative Main Event payouts ever recorded—proof that, for a handful of players, a single tournament can be absolutely life changing.
1. Jamie Gold’s Unmatched $12 Million Victory (2006)
Image: wsop.com
The 2006 WSOP Main Event remains the benchmark for both participation and prize money. With a jaw-dropping 8,773 entrants, the prize pool surged to levels previously unimagined. Jamie Gold, an amateur who gained his Main Event seat through a casino partnership, outlasted a record field and was rewarded with $12 million—the first eight-figure payout in Main Event history. However, a post-victory dispute revealed Gold had agreed to split his winnings with Crispin Leyser, who had facilitated his entry, resulting in Gold ultimately ceding a significant portion of his prize.
2. Martin Jacobson’s $10 Million Triumph (2014)
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Martin Jacobson’s 2014 win is notable because of a unique experiment by the organizers: they guaranteed a $10 million payout for first place, regardless of actual turnout. The field consisted of 6,683 players—smaller than some previous years—but the guarantee stood, catapulting Jacobson into poker’s inner circle. His runner-up, Felix Stephensen, received $5.1 million, exposing a sharp disparity that irked many players and led to future abandonment of the guaranteed top prize approach. Another twist: as a UK resident, Jacobson owed no tax on his winnings, while Stephensen—hailing from Norway—reportedly saw more than half his winnings lost to taxation.
3. Hossein Ensan Captures $10 Million (2019)
Image: YouTube
The 2019 WSOP Main Event drew 8,569 contenders, nearly topping the attendance record set in 2006. The $80.5 million prize pool returned the $10 million first prize to the forefront, this time awarded to Germany’s Hossein Ensan for his bold, unconventional play. Ensan’s victory brought him instant fame and the most lucrative win of his poker career, after defeating Maurizio Sammartino at the final table.
4. Peter Eastgate’s $9.15 Million Payday (2008)
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The 2008 Main Event made history for introducing the “November Nine”—a break between playdown and the final table—injecting new drama and anticipation to the tournament’s conclusion. Danish player Peter Eastgate seized the title, bagging $9,152,416 and becoming the youngest Main Event winner at the time. His youth set a short-lived record, as it would be beat the very next year.
5. Jonathan Duhamel’s $8.94 Million Haul (2010)
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A field of 7,319 made the 2010 Main Event the second-largest ever up to that point. Canada’s Jonathan Duhamel emerged victorious, earning nearly $9 million and his first WSOP bracelet. The aftermath of his win was dramatic: Duhamel became the victim of a home robbery, losing cash and his Main Event bracelet, which was later recovered in poor condition. Regardless, this triumph marked a major milestone in his professional career.
6. John Cynn’s $8.8 Million Performance (2018)
Image: YouTube
An influx of 7,874 participants in 2018 reestablished the Main Event as an unmissable spectacle, surpassing the previous year’s field. This translated to an enormous $74 million prize pool, with $8.8 million reserved for the champion. John Cynn, an American professional, captured the title and his life-changing payday, besting his previous high score of $650,000 for 11th place in 2016.
7. Pius Heinz Reigns with $8.7 Million (2011)
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Pius Heinz, a young German pro who preferred the fast pace of online play, ventured into the live tournament scene at the 2011 Main Event. Outlasting 6,868 contenders, Heinz secured more than $8.7 million and became Germany’s first Main Event champion. Despite the win, Heinz stuck to his roots, rarely appearing at live events thereafter.
8. Joe Cada Breaks the Age Barrier with $8.55 Million (2009)
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Joe Cada entered the 2009 Main Event at age 21, just meeting the legal age requirement. The field of 6,494 players generated a $61 million prize pool, with Cada claiming $8,547,042 and the record for youngest Main Event winner (a feat achieved just a year after Eastgate’s brief tenure). The runner-up, Darvin Moon, captured public imagination but ultimately missed victory, while poker legend Phil Ivey’s final table appearance drew widespread attention before he finished seventh.
9. Greg Merson’s $8.5 Million Journey to Redemption (2012)
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In 2012, 6,598 hopefuls converged on the Main Event, and Greg Merson powered through to clinch the title and $8,527,982. Merson’s background as an online cash game player and his simultaneous victory in the $10,000 6-Max Championship that year showcased his range and skill. His success was even more remarkable given his recent recovery from drug addiction, adding a personal triumph to his poker achievements.
10. Ryan Riess Rounds Out the List with $8.36 Million (2013)
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Ryan “The Beast” Riess burst onto the poker scene in 2013, his first year taking live events seriously. By outlasting 6,352 players, he secured $8,359,531 in winnings. Since his Main Event success, Riess has remained a force, accumulating over $15 million in live tournament earnings.
Key Takeaways: Dramatic Payouts and Poker Legends
This rundown of the largest WSOP Main Event wins highlights both the explosive growth of poker and the personal stories behind each champion. Whether they were online grinders, live poker aficionados, or fortuitous amateurs, each winner left an indelible mark on the game—and took home a prize most players can only dream of.
Lead image: Jamie Thomson/wsop.com
