Following twelve intense days of play at the Rio, Germany’s Koray Aldemir wins the 2021 World Series of Poker. Overcoming the 6,650 participants from around the world, Aldemir won his first-ever Main Event victory on Wednesday night, boasting $8,000,000 in prize winnings and taking home the highly coveted Main Event bracelet, a 10k yellow and white gold bracelet encrusted with 2,230 rubies, white and black diamonds.
“It felt great. It’s the biggest final table in the world, so it’s a dream come true. Probably every poker player thinks about this moment when they watch this, believing ‘maybe I could be there one day’,” reflected Aldemir on his 2021 Main Event win.
On Wednesday, November 17th, the last three players, Koray Aldemir, Jack Oliver and George Holmes, took to the felt to battle it out for their chance at the World Champ title. Oliver busted first, leaving Holmes and Aldemir to go head-to-head into the evening. After just over six and a half hours of trading hands, the energy burst throughout the Amazon room as the intense face-off culminated in Aldemir claiming the 2021 World Series of Poker World Championship title on hand 223. The final hand started with Aldemir calling Holmes’ 6,000,000, and ended with Holmes all in for 133,000,000 and Aldemir winning with two pair of tens and sevens.
“This year’s Main Event has exceeded expectations across the board,” said World Series of Poker Senior Vice President, Ty Stewart. “To see five countries represented at the 2021 Final Table was amazing, and after a classic battle, we’re looking forward to raising Koray’s banner this summer at Bally’s on the Strip.” The schedule for next years event, including a booking link for discounted participant hotel rates, is expected to be published in January. It has already been announced that the 2022 WSOP will be held on the Strip, at both the Paris and Bally’s casinos.