In an unprecedented event that combined the thrills of high-stakes poker with luxury cruising, Aram Oganyan became the big winner of the first-ever World Poker Tour® Voyage Championship, walking away with $214,245 and his first WPT title.
A Historic Win on the High Seas
The $5,000 WPT Voyage Championship concluded after four days of competitive play aboard the exquisite setting of a World Poker Tour® Voyage. Aram Oganyan’s triumph earned him a substantial prize. He inscribed his name on the esteemed Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup and secured a seat at the 2024 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
Reflecting on his win, Oganyan shared his excitement and disbelief at the outcome, praising the unique experience of playing poker on a cruise. “This is unbelievable… I won some flips at the end, got some bluffs through, and here we are. We got our name on the trophy. RIP Mike, the legend,” Oganyan expressed, paying homage to the late poker legend Mike Sexton.
A Prize Pool Beyond Expectations
The championship boasted a $1 million guaranteed prize pool but surpassed expectations by generating $1,347,800, thanks to the 293 entrants. The event concluded with a payout to the top 37 finishers, with the final three competitors agreeing to an ICM chop of the remaining prize money, continuing the game for the prestigious WPT title.
Adam Pliska, CEO of the World Poker Tour, lauded the event’s success and the spectacle of competitive poker aboard a Virgin Voyages ship. “The Championship event of WPT Voyage did not disappoint,” Pliska stated, congratulating Oganyan on his entry into the WPT Champions Club.
The Final Table
The competition was fierce, with Carlo Basurto finishing as runner-up with an ICM payout of $202,885 and Austin Srur taking third place with $188,670. Notable final table placements included Farid Jattin in fourth place with $100,000, 2023 WPT World Championship Dan Sepiol in fifth with $75,000, and Romulo Dorea rounding out the top six with $55,000.
Among others who cashed in were WPT Champions Masato Yokosawa, Tyler Patterson, and Frederic Normand, along with WPT Champion and Commentator Tony Dunst, WPT Ambassador Andrew Neeme, and the 2022 WPT World Championship Champion Eliot Hudon.
| Place | Player | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aram Oganyan | $214,245 |
| 2 | Carlo Basurto | $202,885 |
| 3 | Austin Srur | $188,670 |
| 4 | Farid Jattin | $100,000 |
| 5 | Daniel Sepiol | $75,000 |
| 6 | Romulo Dorea | $55,000 |
| 7 | Kasey Mills | $42,000 |
| 8 | Iman Dan | $34,000 |
| 9 | Marcelo Giordano | $28,000 |
Looking Ahead
The WPT Main Tour continues with the $3,500 buy-in WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship event, which boasts a staggering $3 million guarantee. The tournament is set for April 19-23 and will be preceded by a Meet-Up Game hosted by WPT Ambassador Brad Owen at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood poker room.
Aram Oganyan’s win at the WPT Voyage marks a significant moment in poker history, blending the adventure of travel with poker’s unmatched excitement. As the WPT continues to innovate and provide unforgettable experiences, the poker world eagerly watches what comes next.
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