The Most Casually Won Million Dollars Ever
7 years ago
19 Jun
(Photo: WSOP.com)
As a poker pro, coming to the World Series of Poker as an already gold bracelet winner definitely helps. When you already have $1 million guaranteed no matter the outcome, you can finally sit back, relax, and play as though you have nothing to lose. That’s what the winner of this year’s WSOP Millionaire Maker Jason DeWitt did and that casual attitude definitely paid off.
DeWitt won his second WSOP bracelet of his career, playing close to perfect heads-up as the pressure was off on so many levels. Runner-up Garrett Greer felt the same way and couldn’t declare himself as disappointed after DeWitt took down the final pot. Why? Mostly because of the Millionaire Maker’s unusual payout.
Most Unusual WSOP Payout Ever?
The organizers wanted to make the fourth-ever Millionaire Maker event even more special and decided to make not just one but two millionaires after all was said and done. In the previous years, only the winner could brag about a seven-figure cash prize. In 2016 however, payouts changed and over $2 million were handed out to the top two players. In fact, between first and second place, there was a cash difference of just $65,403.
In the end, Greer got $1 million while DeWitt got $1,065,403. The most tensed moments were in the three-handed play: the difference between third and second was a whooping half a million dollars. DeWitt told WSOP.com:
I had already won a gold bracelet, so I was relaxed as I could be. The difference between first and second was only $65,000 so I could play aggressively. I’m just glad I didn’t finish third. I just didn’t want to be short at three-handed. It would have been painful to get third when first and second were at least $1 million."
The total prize pool of the Millionaire Maker event was $9,706,500 with the top 1,079 getting paid. Since the payout was so top heavy, there were a lot of min-cashes worth no more than double the buy-in of $1,500. Things got a lot steeper with 12 player remaining rising up fast to the two $1 million prizes guaranteed for the winner and runner up.
A total of 7,190 players had millionaire aspirations making the 2016 Millionaire Maker, the eighth largest poker tournament all-time. In the end though, only DeWitt and Greer turned their dreams into reality. Or to be more precise, only Greer turned his dream into reality because DeWitt was already in the fancy millionaire club.
Multi-Millionaire and Multi-Bracelet Winner
Jason DeWitt won his first million long before this year’s WSOP. Six years ago, in a $5,000 No Limit Holdem event, he secured his first gold bracelet and his first big cash of over $800,000.
Now, after winning the Millionaire Maker, he can brag about poker tournament earnings close to $3 million, according to HendonMob DB. He has won over $2.5 million at the WSOP dating back to 2006 when he left his job as a grocery bagger to pursue a poker career.
It definitely helped to be not only a former bracelet winner but also a current millionaire. You know what they say: the rich get richer. And if you wonder what will he do with his newfound million dollar, just read the next quote:
Nothing’s going to change. I’m not going to get a new car. I already have a good lifestyle."
Sounds pretty casual right coming from the mouth of a multi-millionaire right? The rich indeed get richer…
What would you do if you won the Millionaire Maker event? Would you spend the million on cars and properties? Would you invest it? Or would you just attack the nosebleeds stakes in Las Vegas and Macau? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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