Casino City’s Friday Five: 2024 WSOP Main Event underway edition

The most prestigious event in poker, the $10,000 World Series of Poker Main Event is underway on the Las Vegas Strip, and frontrunners are emerging. But before we delve into the action, this week's headlines are buzzing with a six-figure jackpot win, a seven-figure Atlantic City windfall, enticing promotions for WPT Global players, and Ocean Casino Resort's move towards cardless gaming.

Let’s begin with some massive wins:

5. $436,588 Three Card Poker win on the Las Vegas Strip
On Tuesday, a player visiting from Middle Village, New York, enjoyed a major moment when he hit the Mega Progressive Jackpot with a royal flush while playing Three Card Poker at Paris Las Vegas.

The lucky guest, who was in town to support his nephew in the World Series of Poker, won a whopping $436,588 and plans to use his newfound fortune toward his investments.

While in town to support his nephew in WSOP William M. hit the Mega Progressive Jackpot with a Royal Flush playing Three Card Poker winning a whopping $436,588! Join us as we celebrate his BIG WIN! ?? ?? ?? ??

21+ Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler pic.twitter.com/6E01DOeUsF
— Paris Las Vegas (@ParisVegas) July 3, 2024

4. $1.5 million slot win at Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City
Last week, an out-of-state, first-time visitor to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City won a progressive jackpot of $1,593,457.

The player bet $10 on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine with a $1 denomination. The lucky player’s total amount wagered was $87 during this extremely profitable visit to the casino resort.

We weren't voted luckiest casino for nothing ??
Congratulations to the winner of the life changing $1.5 MILLION JACKPOT on Wheel of Fortune. This guest was playing with a $10 bet & $1 denomination.

Must be 21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. pic.twitter.com/d7PWKHGhJJ
— Hard Rock Atlantic City (@HardRockHCAC) June 26, 2024

3. WPT Global announces Preheat and Summer Festivals
WPT Global’s Preheat Festival will run from 12-21 July, featuring a $3 million guaranteed prize pool. This festival includes a $220 Championship event with a $300,000 guarantee, a $22 Mini Championship with an $80,000 guarantee, and a $2,100 High Roller PKO with a $200,000 guarantee among over 160 events.

That will lead into the Summer Festival, taking place from 28 July to 18 August. The Summer Festival promises more excitement with at least $7 million guaranteed in prize pools and a similar schedule to WPT Global’s successful Spring Festival.

2. Ocean Casino Resort launches cardless gaming
Guests at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City now have an easier and more convenient way to play.

On Tuesday, the resort launched Cardless Gaming, a new, fully integrated mobile experience, available via the Ocean Casino Resort mobile app. Debuting as a first for New Jersey, this feature is designed to put the resort’s entire gaming experience at guests’ fingertips as a one-stop-shop.

The elevated player experience begins by logging into the Ocean Casino Resort Mobile App. Under ‘Account,’ guests can scroll down to the ‘Cardless Gaming’ section to select play slots or play table games. For table games, the final step is to simply present the QR Code to the dealer or pit boss. For slots, players will select ‘Cardless Login’ on the machine’s display and scan a QR Code to connect and card-in. Physical cards will continue to be accepted for those who prefer it, and in the near future players will also have a cashless option to utilize.

1. 2023 WSOP Main Event champ kicks off 2024 Main Event
The Main Event for the 55th Annual World Series of Poker is officially underway inside the Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, as 2023 WSOP Main Event Champion Daniel Weinman was on hand Wednesday to deliver the iconic “Shuffle Up and Deal” to kickstart the tournament.

The Atlanta, Georgia poker pro topped a record field of 10,043 entrants in 2023 to take home the richest trophy in sports, the WSOP Main Event Bracelet, and $12.1 million in winnings.

As players get knocked out left and right until we get to the anticipated final table starting on 16 July, check out 10 players poker pro Tadas Peckaitis highlights to keep a close eye on.

A player not on his list, Erik Seidel is off to a hot start in the tournament. The Poker Hall of Famer and 1988 Main Event runner-up put himself in a strong position heading into the second day by accumulating 183,600 in chips. Seidel benefited from a late surge that saw him crack his opponent's aces with a flopped set of kings to score a knockout and a large pot.

The 55th Annual World Series of Poker Main Event kicked off with a thrilling start as @notontilt09 aka Dan Weinman, the 2023 champion, took charge of Day 1A's Shuffle Up and Deal!

The cards are in the air and the excitement is palpable as players from around the globe vie for… pic.twitter.com/AsrpTY5AbZ
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 3, 2024