Norway’s Espen Jorstad won the first World Series Of Poker (WSOP) Main Event on the Vegas Strip.
He’ll take home a prize of $10 million and the Main Event championship bracelet that includes 500 grams of 10 karats of white and yellow gold, featuring 55 and a half karats or 2,767 various precious stones including rubies, and black and white diamonds.
Not a bad haul for less than two weeks of work. The WSOP Main Event kicked off when the Master of Ceremonies, Vince Vaughn, was carried into the venue on the Vegas Strip. This was the first year the WSOP Main Event was started by a celebrity.
Meanwhile, restauranteur Lisa Vanderpump started the WSOP event earlier this summer.
Jorstad wins the WSOP Main Event
The $10,000 buy-in WSOP Main Event took place on the Vegas Strip for the first time. Events for the WSOP took place at both Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas.
The final table of the Main Event took place inside Bally’s. The casino hotel is being renovated and will become Horseshoe Las Vegas later this year.
This year’s Main Event ended over the weekend after nine poker game days. Jorstad outlasted 8,662 players from around the world to win the 2022 WSOP Main Event.
Jorstad outlasted Adrian Attenborough and Michael Duek at the Final Table. Duek took home third place in the WSOP and $4 million in prize money.
Attenborough played Jorstad heads-up for the Main Event grand prize of $10 million. Jorstad defeated Attenborough with a full house on the final hand. For his efforts, Attenborough won $6 million for finishing second.
What was the first thing the Norwegian poker professional did after winning? He called his mother, of course.
“It was a very emotional call,” said Jorstad. “She could barely speak. She is my biggest fan, so to be able to share that moment with her was very special.”
First WSOP on the Vegas Strip is a success and marks major comeback
World Series of Poker Senior Vice President and Executive Director, Ty Stewart said:
“This year’s historic WSOP was special for the poker community. Against all odds, poker made its way back in a big way and for the first time to the Las Vegas Strip. To see Espen persevere through 8,662 Main Event entrants – the second most in WSOP history, was incredible. We’re looking forward to raising Espen’s banner and coming back bigger than ever in the new Horseshoe Las Vegas next summer.”
2022 was a major comeback for the WSOP in Las Vegas. After two slow years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the WSOP had 8,662 entries. This was the second-most ever for the WSOP.
The vast majority of the feedback of the event split between Bally’s and Paris Las Vegas was positive. There should be more positive feedback next year when the transition of Bally’s to Horseshoe is completed.
Bally’s to become Horseshoe Las Vegas
Caesars, owner of Bally’s, and the WSOP is currently renovating the property. By the end of the year, Bally’s will become Horseshoe Las Vegas.
The changes to the property will be both design and attitude. When Caesars announced the changes to the Bally’s, Jason Gregorec, SVP and General Manager of the property said:
“At Horseshoe, it’s all about the gambler. Since 1951 Horseshoe Casinos have been home to the best odds, highest limits, and biggest jackpots. So, it’s fitting that we bring Horseshoe back to Las Vegas, and right on the Las Vegas Strip”
This should be a major change for a casino on the Vegas Strip. The most touristy part of Las Vegas has been known for having poor odds on casino games for the past decade or so.
New and updated sportsbooks at Bally’s and Paris
The company recently announced the sportsbook at Bally’s will become The Arcade at Horseshoe. And, it appears as though the new sports betting counter will be part of a new Guy Fieri restaurant.
In addition to a new sports betting location at Bally’s/Horseshoe next year, 2023 WSOP participants will also be able to bet on sports at a renovated sportsbook in Paris Las Vegas. The venue is currently closed for upgrades.
Jack Binion’s Steak is now open at Bally’s. A new restaurant from chef Martin Yan will open soon at the property. Paris recently opened a new location for Nobu along with Vanderpump A Paris.
Renovations and changes to both properties should be finished by the time card are in the air for WSOP 2023 at Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas.
