Jonathan Tamayo! What a talented player! He won his first Main Event championship title and first WSOP bracelet ever at the largest-entry WSOP Main Event in poker history in July 2024. He also claimed his largest-ever money prize in the same event, beating Jordan Griff, who finished 2nd in the record field of 10,112 players. Tamayo’s live tournament earnings immediately mounted from about $2 million to over $12 million. You’ll find the details in today’s casino news.
We’ll look at the champion’s poker career, from his early start to winning four WSOP Circuit rings and his most recent triumph. Let’s begin.
Jonathan Tamayo Shakes Up the Poker Scene
Jonathan Tamayo is a 38-year-old Filipino-American from Texas, United States. He graduated High School early and earned his Bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. Tamayo started playing live tournament poker in October 2006. Since then, he has gradually built his tournament bankroll by playing low-stakes events. He probably also practiced with free poker online games.
Journey Up the Poker Ladder
Jonathan Tamayo played his first WSOP event in May 2007. Then, in June 2008, Jonathan Tamayo recorded his first significant tournament performance and cash at the 39th WSOP. He finished 2nd in a field of over 730 players in the $1,500 Limit/No Limit Hold ’em event to win $140,093. And it only got better the following year.
In July 2009, he participated at the WSOP. He competed in the $10,000 Main Event, came 21st out of 6,494 players, and cashed $352,832. This prize was his best live cash prize until 2024.
Jonathan Tamayo also competed in the 42nd WSOP tournament. He showcased his versatility in the $1,500 HORSE event, playing against 960 players, and finished 4th, winning $84,516.
WSOP Circuit Ring Era
Jonathan Tamayo began participating in the WSOP Circuit in 2010. In May 2012, he competed in the WSOPC $355 No Limit Hold ’em event. He came 1st, beating 440 players to win his first WSOP Circuit ring.
In February 2013, he competed in the WSOPC $1,675 Main Event. He finished 1st in the 670-entry field, winning his second WSOP Circuit ring and $206,020. Again, he joined the 2015 WSOP Main Event and cashed $79,668 for finishing 78th among 6,420 players. It was his friend Joe McKeehen who won the Main Event.
Jonathan Tamayo was also at the 2017 WSOPC $365 No Limit Hold ’em event. He finished 1st, winning over 2,340 players, earning his third WSOP Circuit ring and $101,404. He claimed his fourth WSOP Circuit ring a year later by coming 1st in the WSOP Pot Limit Omaha event. He has held four WSOP Circuit rings since then.
Jonathan Tamayo at the 2024 WSOP
Jonathan Tamayo’s 2024 wins began In April 2024. He competed in the PGT Texas Poker Open Main Event. He finished 3rd among 734 players to cash $180,000.
WSOP Main Event 2024
In July 2024, Tamayo competed in the 55th WSOP Main Event, which had a prize pool of $94,041,600. However, he had no intention of winning the event because he didn’t consider it. He finished in 21st place 15 years back in the same event but cashed out massively.
Likewise, the goal in 2024 wasn’t to win but to cash out massively again. But then, he found himself moving forward across the rounds like the casino games were no challenge at all. His friend Joe McKeehen was there with him as his coach and cheerleader.
Final Table Showdown
He made the final nine after six days of continuous play. At the final table, there were only three players left — Griff (187,000,000), Tamayo (197,000,000), and Niklas Astedt, a leading online poker player who was leading the chip count (223,000,000).
Griff soon sent Astedt off the table and was left to face Tamayo heads-up. The match was heated up between the two contenders. But at the 235th hand, the climax of the excitement was reached. Tamayo bet 10,000,000 on a nine-high flop, while Griff raised to 40,000,000.
Then Tamayo got all in while Griff made a 230,000,000 top pair call. Tamayo revealed his two pairs of eight and three. The turn and river cards were revealed, and Tamayo won the final hand and claimed the title, taking home $10 million.
Jonathan Tamayo’s Other Gaming Interests
Besides poker, Jonathan Tamayo passionately loves daily fantasy sports. In an interview, he said he could now play more fantasy with his win. He also loves playing Fantasy Hockey. He owns the game’s 2019 Championship. He also enjoys playing golf. This cross-gaming ability is proof of his high level of internet in gaming.
Final Thoughts
Jonathan Tamayo has joined the list of poker greats who have won the Main events. His name is now etched in history among legends like Doyle Brunson, Stu Ungar, Phil Hellmuth, Johnny Moss, Amarillo Slim, etc. You can also begin your journey by playing poker at Vegas Aces Casino.
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