In a historic turn of events, the renowned World Poker Tour (WPT) unfolded its prestigious tournament in Cambodia for the first time ever. The spotlight of victory shone on Konstantin Held, who not only clinched the championship but also secured his inaugural title in WPT tournaments. This monumental achievement was accompanied by a substantial prize of $361,310 and an exclusive seat at the upcoming 2024 WPT World Championship in Wynn Las Vegas, valued at $10,400.
The inaugural event took place at the esteemed NagaWorld Integrated Resort in Cambodia, attracting a formidable field of 760 players. The championship, unfolding over two days with Day 1A and Day 1B, saw a total of 387 contestants battling it out for the coveted title. The buy-in for this historic tournament stood at $3,500, contributing to a staggering prize pool of $4,630,400. The top 95 players emerged victorious, each claiming a share of the generous prizes.
Held’s elation after his triumph was palpable. Reflecting on his victory, he expressed, “Over the moon. Honestly, over the moon. It has been an insane journey to end up heads up with a good friend of mine. We just enjoyed our time. We were all having a blast. And the experience here was great. I love the venue. I think NagaWorld is great. It’s been amazing to come to Cambodia.”
Adam Pliska, the CEO of WPT, acknowledged the significance of WPT Cambodia, dubbing it a “special festival,” saying, “WPT Cambodia was a special festival. Not only did it open the 2024 season, but it also marked the first time the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup was presented in Southeast Asia. Konstantin will forever be the first player to claim a WPT Champions Club title in the region.”
While Konstantin Held claimed the top spot, other notable players made their mark on the final table. Joshua McCully secured the second position with a prize of $277,291, and Florent Remi finished third, earning $302,019. The final three players, including Held, negotiated a deal that ensured equitable payouts, highlighting camaraderie amid competition.
The final table showcased a diverse array of talents. Motoyoshi Okamura claimed the fourth spot, receiving a prize of $157,858. Amit Kaushik secured fifth place, earning $118,906, and Kyle Bao Diep took sixth place, with a prize of $90,532. The presence of industry veterans, including former WPT Champion and Commentator Tony Dunst, finished 14th place; Valeriy Pak, who won the 2018 Korea WPT, ranked 57th place; Masato Yokosava ranked 61st place; and Punnat Punsri ranked 89th place.
As the poker community basks in the afterglow of WPT Cambodia, attention turns to the next event in Season XXII – the WPT Prime Aix-en-Provence festival held at Pasino Grand. With the bar set high by the historic triumph of Konstantin Held, expectations for the upcoming festival soar, promising more exhilarating moments in the world of professional poker.
