On June 2, 2024, two World Series of Poker bracelets were awarded, both going to players earning their second titles at the series. Shortly before Bryce Yockey won the $5,000 pot-limit Omaha event, Nick Guagenti secured victory in the $1,500 limit hold’em tournament, earning $121,074 and the prestigious bracelet.
Guagenti’s first bracelet win came in 2020, when he triumphed in a $2,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em event during the WSOP Online, earning $305,433. The Westerville, Ohio native now boasts two bracelets and over $2.7 million in recorded tournament earnings.
This latest victory also added 720 Card Player Player of the Year points to Guagenti’s tally, moving him within reach of the top 300 in the 2024 POY standings presented by Global Poker.
Out of the 67 players who made the money in this event, only six advanced to the final day of play. Guagenti led the field when play resumed. Bradley Carter was the first to be eliminated, falling victim to a flush-over-flush against two-time bracelet winner Juha Helppi.
Guagenti knocked out short stack Qinghai Pan in fifth place ($26,807), entering four-handed play with the lead, but was soon overtaken by Joseph Brodsky. Guagenti regained the top spot in time for the next elimination. Helppi folded on the turn in a hand against Guagenti and was left with a minimal stack. He was eliminated in the next hand, when his K-4 ran into George Chen’s K-J. Neither player improved, and Helppi was out in fourth place ($37,880), bringing his career tournament earnings to over $7.6 million.
Chen was next to go, getting the last of his short stack in on a double paired board with an overpair. Guagenti had turned jacks full of fives with K-J suited, sending Chen to the rail in third place ($54,708).
Heads-up play began with Guagenti holding a 7:3 chip lead over Brodsky. After several hours of battle, Guagenti pulled away in time for the final hand. Brodsky called all-in from the big blind with 8♠4♠ and was dominated by Guagenti’s Q♥8♦. The board came A♥Q♠6♣7♦J♥, sealing the tournament for Guagenti. Brodsky’s runner-up finish earned him $80,717, increasing his career tournament earnings to $121,158.
Final Table Results
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nick Guagenti | United States | $121,074 |
| 2 | Joseph Brodsky | United States | $80,717 |
| 3 | George Chen | United States | $54,708 |
| 4 | Juha Helppi | Finland | $37,880 |
| 5 | Qinghai Pan | United States | $26,807 |
