Francis Anderson claimed the final multi-flight tournament title of 2024, just hours before the new year. The bracelet winner from Wappinger Falls, New York, emerged victorious in a 515-entry field at the 2024 Venetian New Year’s Extravaganza $250,000 Guaranteed $800 No-Limit Hold’em UltimateStack event. His impressive performance earned him $61,551 in the early hours of Dec. 31.
This marks Anderson’s sixth recorded tournament victory. Earlier this year, he secured his first World Series of Poker bracelet by winning the $800 Independence Day Celebration Event, taking home a career-best $501,040. Known for excelling in holiday-themed tournaments, Anderson might be a strong contender if a Valentine’s Day tag-team event rolls around next year.
With this win, Anderson’s lifetime tournament earnings now exceed $3.6 million.
The tournament paid out the top 66 finishers, with the prize pool swelling to $355,350. The final stages featured stiff competition, including 2024 Mid-States Poker Tour Venetian Poker Bowl champion Terry Fleischer (8th), Aaron Massey (6th), and bracelet winner Ryan Laplante (4th). Laplante, who recently placed second in the $1,600 mystery bounty during the WPT World Championship for $185,500, now approaches $4 million in career earnings after his second final-table finish of the month.
In the heads-up showdown, Anderson faced Lokesh Garg, who began with a 3:2 chip advantage. Anderson seized control after making a flush against Garg’s jack-high straight. The final hand unfolded on a board of A♣ Q♠ 9♥ 9♣ J♣. Garg’s 10♥ 8♣ formed a straight, but it wasn’t enough to beat Anderson’s full house with J♠ 9♠. Garg finished as the runner-up, earning $44,245.
Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
| 1 | Francis Anderson | $61,551 | 420 |
| 2 | Lokesh Garg | $44,245 | 350 |
| 4 | Ryan Laplante | $23,785 | 280 |
| 5 | James Agate | $17,790 | 210 |
