Eric Wasserson Breaks Through With World Series of Poker Paradise $25,000 Dealers Choice Victory

Eric Wasserson has come painfully close to securing his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet on several occasions over the years, with seven top-five finishes that include two-runner-up showings. Finally, the longtime mixed games regular has broken through, taking down the 2024 WSOP Paradise $25,000 dealers choice championship for his first bracelet and the top prize of $353,340.

This was the second-largest tournament score yet for Wasserson, trailing only the $545,772 he earned with a third-place finish in the 2016 WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship. The Narberth, Pennsylvania native now has nearly $2.9 million in recorded scores to his name.

This victory also came with 420 Card Player Player of the Year points. This was Wasserson’s second final-table finish of 2024, having also placed fifth in the $10,000 stud eight-or-better championship for $88,686 and 325 points back in July.

This event drew 49 total entries, resulting in a prize pool of more than $1.2 million that was paid out among the top seven finishers. The money bubble burst on day 2, with four-time bracelet winner and 17-time WSOP Circuit champion Ari Engel eliminated in eighth place.

Bracelet winner Nacho Barbero (7th – $60,040) was the first to fall inside the money, with his J-9 low running into the 9-7 low of five-time bracelet winner Benny Glaser during a round of no-limit deuce-to-seven single draw. Despite scoring that knockout, Glaser was ultimately the next to hit the rail (6th – $79,370). He was short and got all-in in a round of stud eight-or-better. He was scooped by the seven-high straight and six low of three-time bracelet winner Mike Gorodinsky.

Five-handed action continued for a while late on day 2. Two-time bracelet winner John Racener eventually bowed out in fifth place ($107,000 ) when he was unable to come from behind against the top two pair of Gorodinsky in pot-limit Omaha.

Action was halted on day 2 with four contenders remaining and Wasserson in the lead. 2022 WSOP Player of the Year and three-time bracelet winner Daniel Zack was the first knockout of the final day. He got all-in with 9-6-2 facing the pat J-9-8-6-2 of Gorodinsky in a round of no-limit deuce-to-seven single draw lowball. Zack’s first card was a 4 to keep his hopes alive, but a Q on the end saw him bust in fourth place ($144,230).

Gorodinsky’s run in this event came to an end when his AQ62 was unable to best the 101077 of six-time bracelet winner and 2021 WSOP POY award winner Josh Arieh. Gorodisnky’s last five or so big blinds went in preflop and Arieh flopped a set of sevens. He then turned a full house to lock up the pot, sending Gorodisnky to the payout desk to collect $194,430.

The final heads-up showdown for the bracelet began with Wasserson holding 4,250,000 to Arieh’s 3,100,000. The lead changed hands briefly, but Wasserson was able to take down a timely pot in no-limit deuce-to-seven single draw to jump back out in front. In the final hand, Arieh limped on the button in no-limit hold’em with AQ. Wasserson shoved for just over seven big blinds effective with QJ and Arieh quickly called. The board came down K32J2 and Wasserson made jacks and deuces to take down the pot and the title. Arieh earned $262,090 as the runner-up, growing his career earnings to more than $13.7 million in the process.

Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:

Photo credit: WSOP.