The World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event is the most prestigious tournament in the poker world, attracting thousands of players from around the globe each year. With a buy-in of $10,000, the Main Event offers a massive prize pool that can make a player an instant millionaire. But just how much did the last 10 winners really win?
To answer that question, let’s take a look at the prize money awarded to each winner since 2011, when the Main Event prize pool reached record numbers. In 2011, Pius Heinz of Germany took home a staggering $8.71 million for his first-place finish. The following year, Greg Merson of the United States claimed $8.53 million as the champion.
In 2013, Ryan Riess of the United States pocketed $8.36 million for his victory, while Swedish player Martin Jacobson won $10 million in 2014. The 2015 Main Event saw Joe McKeehen of the United States walk away with $7.68 million.
In 2016, Qui Nguyen of Vietnam emerged as the champion and cashed in on $8 million. American Scott Blumstein won $8.15 million in 2017, while John Cynn of the United States claimed $8.8 million in 2018. Last year, Hossein Ensan of Germany took home a massive $10 million for his triumph.
This year’s WSOP Main Event winner, Damian Salas of Argentina, also secured a substantial payday, earning $1 million in addition to a spot in the heads-up championship match against the international winner. The final showdown took place at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, where Salas emerged victorious and earned an additional $1 million in prize money.
Overall, the last 10 WSOP Main Event winners have collectively won over $80 million in prize money, solidifying their place in poker history and proving that the Main Event is truly the pinnacle of the poker world. With the 2022 WSOP Main Event on the horizon, players from around the globe are gearing up to compete for their chance at poker glory and a massive payday. Only time will tell who will be the next champion to join the ranks of poker’s elite and claim a piece of the Main Event prize pool.
