Bert ‘girafganger7’ Stevens Makes History: Wins 2023 WSOP Online Main Event Live on Twitch

What an incredible story. Bert “girafganger7” Stevens took down the 2023 WSOP Online Main Event on GGPoker, the biggest online tournament to date, and did so live on Twitch for over 14,000 viewers. With a whopping prize pool of $28,609,252, Stevens claimed the lion’s share, pocketing a staggering $2,783,432.
 
Starting the final table with a marginal lead over Erik Bakker, Stevens soon showed us why he is considered one of the best tournament players. The minimal chip advantage quickly transformed into a colossal one, with Stevens holding more chips than the other five remaining players. His dominance was further exemplified when he had more than double the chips after Alexander Timoshenko’s fifth-place elimination.

Stevens’ tactical use of his big stack was evident. He played aggressively, consistently stealing blinds and putting immense pressure on his opponents. By the time the heads-up battle started, he held a commanding 4:1 chip lead over his final opponent, Yagen Li. Despite a brief resurgence from Li, who managed a double-up, Stevens closed the curtain on the event in the very next hand.

For girafganger, this win symbolizes a quintessential rags-to-riches story. He’s been candid about his financial struggles on his streams, discussing challenges like lending money to the wrong individuals and his active hunt for backers. But amidst these challenges, his dedication to the game and live stream remained undeterred.

Adding a touch of quirkiness to his journey, Stevens boasts an intriguing PC setup. Can you believe that $2.8 million was won from this place?

While this event was a record-breaking one, it’s worth noting that Stevens’ $2,783,432 first-place prize ranks as the third highest in online history. He stands behind the 2020 online WSOP Main Event victor Stoyan Madanzhiev, an absolute record holder with a $3,904,686 win, and last year’s champion Simon Eric “C. Darwin” Mattsson, who bagged $2,793,574.

Nevertheless, Bert’s win on Twitch is unparalleled. It’s the biggest sum ever earned live on the platform, setting a high bar that will stand for quite some time.

Facing the newfound pinnacle of his career, the future for Bert ‘girafganger7’ Stevens remains unknown. Viewers have started speculating if he might step back from streaming or take a hiatus from the poker tables. But the popular streamer assured them he will be back online soon, as he is six months into his three-year Twitch project. Beyond the online world, he’s contemplating diving into the elite waters of the Triton High Roller Series, potentially adding another illustrious chapter to his already glowing résumé.

2023 WSOP Online Main Event Final Table Results