The 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event has shattered previous records, drawing an unprecedented number of participants. As of Monday afternoon, with registration still open, over 10,044 players have entered the tournament, surpassing last year’s record-setting field.
The official tally will be confirmed once late registration closes at the end of Level 7 (5:10 pm ET). Nonetheless, it’s clear that this year’s event has set a new benchmark for poker’s most prestigious annual competition.
Breaking Records at the World Series of Poker
Just a year ago, Daniel Weinman made history by winning the largest Main Event ever, which had 10,043 participants. This year, that record has been eclipsed, marking another significant moment for the WSOP. Previously, the biggest field was in 2006, with 8,773 entries, where Jamie Gold clinched the title and $12 million prize.
In 2022, there was anticipation of breaking the 2006 record, but the final count fell just short at 8,663 players. However, the resurgence of poker popularity, dubbed “Poker Boom 2.0,” led to a massive spike in attendance in 2023, and this momentum has continued into 2024.
As Day 2 of the 2024 WSOP Main Event progressed, the number of registered players climbed steadily. By the end of Day 2abc on Sunday, June 7, 9,494 players had already registered. The critical moment came on Monday when the field size hit 10,000, with Kevin “Kevmath” Mathers tweeting the milestone around 2:30 p.m. This indicated it was only a matter of time before the previous record was broken.
Jack Binion Unveils the Main Event Bracelet
The WSOP Main Event, which began in 1970 with just seven participants, has now surpassed 10,000 entrants for the second consecutive year. To commemorate this historic occasion, Jack Binion, one of the series’ founding figures, revealed the Main Event bracelet and initiated the “shuffle up and deal” for Day 2d.
This year’s Main Event bracelet is a masterpiece, weighing 445 grams of 10-karat yellow gold and encrusted with 2,253 precious gemstones. These include 1,948 round genuine diamonds, 230 black onyx stones, and 75 red rubies representing the suits. The bracelet also features a removable golden face plate that doubles as a card protector.
“The WSOP Main Event Bracelet is known as the most expensive trophy in sports, but the reason it’s priceless in the minds of players is because of Jack Binion,” stated Ty Stewart, Executive Director of the World Series of Poker. “With another field around 10,000 in Las Vegas, we’re proud to share with him just how far his vision has come.”
The Future of the WSOP
As the WSOP continues to thrive, the only questions remaining are who will emerge victorious in the 2024 Main Event and whether next year’s championship will attract an even larger field. With the poker world eagerly watching, the anticipation for the final numbers and the eventual winner is palpable.
Stay tuned for live coverage and updates on the 2024 WSOP Main Event.
Top Ten Largest WSOP Main Event Fields in History
| Year | Entries | Champion | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,044* | – | – | – |
| 2023 | 10,043 | Daniel Weinman | United States | $12,100,000 |
| 2006 | 8,773 | Jamie Gold | United States | $12,000,000 |
| 2022 | 8,663 | Espen Jorstad | Norway | $10,000,000 |
| 2019 | 8,569 | Hossein Ensan | Germany | $10,000,000 |
| 2018 | 7,874 | John Cynn | United States | $8,800,000 |
| 2010 | 7,319 | Jonathan Duhamel | Canada | $8,944,310 |
| 2017 | 7,221 | Scott Blumstein | United States | $8,150,000 |
| 2011 | 6,865 | Pius Heinz | Germany | $8,715,638 |
| 2008 | 6,844 | Peter Eastgate | Denmark | $9,119,517 |
| *registration still open |
Disclaimer: The information presented in this article is based on the available data and current events around the time of publication, to the best of our staff research and knowledge. It is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice, financial advice, sports betting advice, or life advice. It is simply our best guess, something to add to your research. We at Las Vegas Top Picks do our best to get stories accurate, but sometimes mistakes and biases happen, and it is always good to double-check other sources and media outlets to confirm stories and factual details. The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the overall opinion of Las Vegas Top Picks.
