Damian Salas is the WSOP Main Event champion

The most unusual and controversial World Series of Poker Main Event has concluded with a World Champion from Argentina.

It has been one hell of a journey for Damian Salas to the title after beforehand coming seventh in the 2017 Main Event. First he needed to grind for 2 days on-line at GGPoker, then he needed to journey from Argentina to Rozvadov throughout a pandemic with heavy journey restrictions to win the International leg for $1,500,968. After that he needed to first quarantine after which make his option to Las Vegas, the place regardless of testing detrimental for COVID he was not initially allowed into the nation, which means the heads-up match needed to spill over into the new 12 months.

With all that out of the means, dispatching of US leg winner Joseph Herbert in all probability felt comparatively simple. It was really a protracted match that took 173 arms with plenty of swings till he lastly took it down for $1 million, making his total winnings from the occasion $2,500,968.

A increase in Argentina?

More importantly, maybe, is the title that he received. Although it was very controversial this 12 months and in contrast to any earlier Main Event title, being the first WSOP Main Event champion from Argentina will in all probability change into a profession in itself, it should definitely be a shot in the arm for the sport over there.

That is, after all, if the broadcast of the occasion turns into a success. Perhaps due to all the logistical points that might come up throughout the (hopefully solely) Main Event in a pandemic, the determination was made to not reside stream any of the occasion. Instead it will likely be become an edited highlights present for ESPN.

One million causes to rejoice!@WSOP #GGPoker #GGCam pic.twitter.com/295u4TTWal

— GGPoker – HOME OF ONLINE POKER’S LARGEST PRIZEPOOL (@GGPoker) January 4, 2021

PokerInformation, who had been doing the live updates at the Rio, spoke to Salas after the match:

Normally round now we might be listening to the first nuggets of details about what to anticipate for the subsequent World Series of Poker, however for apparent causes it seems like we shall be ready a bit longer. With the information of vaccines spreading hope round the world maybe we’ll see one thing that resembles a little bit of normality the place the WSOP is involved this 12 months?

Will there be a full reside World Series of Poker this 12 months? Let us know in the feedback:

Barry Carter

Barry Carter is the editor of PokerStrategy.com and the co-author of The Mental Game of Poker 1 & 2, Poker Satellite Strategy and PKO Poker Strategy