In a thrilling conclusion to Event #95: $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em at the 2024 World Series of Poker, Jamie Walden from the United Kingdom claimed his first WSOP bracelet and a top prize of $313,370. In this unique format, players earned bounties based on the year a Poker Hall of Famer was inducted. For example, eliminating Brian Rast, who was inducted in 2023, would award the player a $2,023 bounty from the prize pool.
This significant win marks a nearly 10x increase in Walden’s previous best score, bringing his total live tournament winnings to just under $500,000. Despite his triumph, Walden remains focused on his family, indicating that while he plans to play more, his daughter’s first day of school takes precedence over upcoming tournaments. “I play quite a bit on the UK tours so I think potentially one or two in the UK. I was meant to be going to Barcelona, but it’s my daughter’s first day of school, so obviously, family comes first,” he explained.
Event #95: $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty No-Limit Hold’em Final Table Results
Place | Player | Country | Payout |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jamie Walden | United Kingdom | $313,370 |
2 | Naseem Salem | United States | $208,919 |
3 | David Stamm | United States | $148,183 |
4 | Adam Hendrix | United States | $106,598 |
5 | Ankit Ahuja | India | $77,787 |
6 | Martin Finger | Germany | $57,594 |
7 | Christopher Stevenson | United States | $43,275 |
8 | Akinobu Maeda | Japan | $33,006 |
9 | Henrik Juncker | Denmark | $25,559 |
Final Table Action
Henrik Juncker from Denmark faced a tough challenge as he started the final table with just five big blinds. His attempt to stay in the game ended when his A♠6♠ couldn’t hold up against Walden’s pocket nines, sending him out in ninth place for $25,559.
Akinobu Maeda exited in eighth place after a brutal beat with slow-played aces losing to David Stamm‘s flopped set. Maeda’s departure secured him $33,006.
Christopher Stevenson was eliminated in seventh place, earning $43,275. His A♠10♣ shove from the small blind was called by Walden’s K♦Q♦, which held up.
Martin Finger, the only player with a previous WSOP bracelet, finished in sixth place for $57,594. His A♠2♦ couldn’t improve against Stamm’s A♠7♠.
Ankit Ahuja secured a fifth-place finish for $77,787. His shove with a small blind was called by Adam Hendrix with Q♦Q♥, leaving Ahuja no chance to survive.
Adam Hendrix himself was the next to go, finishing fourth for $106,598. His K♥2♥ all-in move from the small blind was called by Salem’s A♥4♣.
With three players left, David Stamm found himself on the short stack. His Q♣Q♦ couldn’t withstand Salem’s set of fours, sending him out in third place for $148,183.
Heads-Up Battle
The heads-up battle between Jamie Walden and Naseem Salem saw the chip lead swing back and forth. Walden, despite being at a significant chip deficit at one point, managed to claw his way back. His mantra, “make good decisions,” guided him through the tough spots. The final hand saw Walden’s flush draw with 7♠6♠ best Salem’s two pair, securing Walden the win and the prestigious bracelet. Reflecting on his strategy and the victory, Walden emphasized the importance of staying composed and making thoughtful decisions throughout the game.
With this monumental win, Walden not only celebrates his first WSOP bracelet but also cements his place in poker history. His plans for celebration are modest yet heartfelt, prioritizing time with family before resuming his poker pursuits.
* Images and hands courtesy of WSOP and PokerNews