The $1,100 buy-in, $5,000,000 GTD WPT Prime Championship will happen from Dec. 8-14 on the Wynn Las Vegas as part of the WPT World Championship Competition (Dec. 3-23). Final 12 months, Calvin Anderson topped a area of 10,512 entrants – almost double that of 2022 – to win the 2023 WPT Prime Championship for $1,386,280.
The WPT Prime proved so profitable that it gained the International Poker Award for Finest Mid-Main Tour/Circuit. Whereas the ClubWPT Gold $5M Invitational and WPT World Championship have garnered their share of pleasure, the WPT Prime World Championship stays one of many standout occasions on this 12 months’s thrilling schedule and PokerNews is making ready for it by catching up with some the 2024 Prime Season.
A Deep Dive into the WPT Prime World Championship and the 2024 Prime Season
Catching Up with Jereld Sam
Again in August, the TWD 35,000 buy-in (~$1,100) WPT Prime Taiwan Championship attracted 1,666 runners and supplied up a TWD 51,389,500 (~$1,597,435) prize pool. It turned the most important area measurement for a reside poker occasion in Taiwan with a $1,000 or increased buy-in. It additionally set the attendance document for the Prime Championship Occasion outdoors of the Las Vegas-based WPT World Championship.
Popping out on prime for TWD 8,065,000 (~$250,231) and a $10,400 seat into the WPT World Championship was 30-year-old Jereld Sam, who was born and raised in Singapore. It’ll mark Sam’s first journey to Las Vegas.
Sam, who has a youthful brother and sister, accomplished his requirement to serve in Nationwide Service after which went to the UK for his research.
“After I bought again to Singapore I labored at a financial institution for some time earlier than deciding that I needed to place extra effort and time into poker,” he just lately instructed PokerNews. “You may virtually all the time catch me in a hoodie and pants like a really typical poker participant minus the shades as a result of I get sleepy when it is darkish. My favourite poker phrase that I say when folks ask about poker is that once they say it’s all about luck however isn’t it the identical in life? it’s about decisions you make, on and off the desk.”
He continued: “I began taking part in poker once I was 20 years previous. Again then I used to be nonetheless learning and it was throughout Chinese language New 12 months that considered one of my mates invited me to a house sport. One of many guys was crushing the desk filled with fish, me included. I assume the aggressive aspect of me bought me intrigued into poker and I began to play extra, purchased books to learn, and any helpful supplies I might discover on-line.”
These days, Sam principally performs reside and on-line tournaments. Whereas he prefers tournaments as a result of he desires each the money and a trophy, he principally grinds mid-to-high stakes on-line.
The WPT Prime victory awarded Sam his present career-high rating, however it wasn’t his solely victory. In June 2023, he gained the Poker Dream Waiwain Thriller Bounty for $24,407, after which in December took down the Asia Poker Tour Hanoi Billions Thriller Bounty Hunter by Natural8 for 52,435. Extra just lately, again on November 8, he gained the HKPPA Premier League Foremost Occasion for $35,028.
“After taking part in poker for about 10 years it’s been a hell of a curler coaster experience and for such milestone achievements this 12 months I’m undoubtedly grateful.”
Successful the WPT Prime additionally proved a particular second for Sam as his mom, who actually wasn’t supportive of him taking part in poker, was watching.
“It made me need to win the WPT Prime title a lot extra for her. The primary cellphone name was to her once I shipped it. Her large smile once I returned house with the trophy, it was all price it.”
2024 WPT Prime Taiwan Championship Last Desk Outcomes
*features a $10,400 seat into the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
PokerNews will likely be on the 2024 WPT Prime Championship providing much more nice content material, and naturally we’ll make sure you keep watch over how Jereld Sam does on the pageant.
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