James Chen Scoops First Bracelet In World Series of Poker $1,500 Omaha Eight-or-Better Event

James Chen came agonizingly close to winning his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2023, falling one spot short of the gold in the $10,000 buy-in Omaha eight-or-better championship event. Less than a year after finishing second in that event, the Pittsburgh resident managed to battle his way back to the final two in a WSOP event. This time around, Chen emerged victorious from the heads-up match with the hardware and the top prize of $209,350.

This was the second-largest payday yet for Chen, trailing only the $304,571 he earned for the previously mentioned runner-up finish last year.

Chen’s victory came in the 2024 WSOP $1,500 Omaha eight-or-better event. He topped a field of 928 entries, scooping up 912 Card Player Player of the Year points along with the money and the bracelet.

The strong turnout for this event resulted in the top 140 finishers locking up a share of the $1,238,880 prize pool. Among those that ran deep were two-time bracelet winner Eric Baldwin (19th), four-time bracelet winner Ben Yu (15th), three-time bracelet winner ‘Miami’ John Cernuto (10th), and two-time WSOP Circuit ring winner Jamie Kerstetter (9th).

Made the FT @WSOP $1500 O8 with a very short stack for a very short time

$15,920, had a great time, love this game

Maybe I will learn how to play it someday pic.twitter.com/dm7J3hub7O

— Jamie Kerstetter (@JamieKerstetter) May 31, 2024

The official final table began with Chen in the lead. Todd Dakake (8th – $20,640) and Curtis Phelps (7th – $27,227) were the only eliminations before the final six were sent on a dinner break. Shortly after they returned Aleksey Filatov got the last of his stack in with bottom two pair against the top pair of Adam Nattress. The turn gave Natress aces up, and the river changed nothing. Nattress’ superior two pair earned him the scoop, sending Filatov to the rail in sixth place ($36,531).

The lead had changed hands a few times during short-handed play. Chen had edged out in front again, though, in time to score his first knockout at the final table. He flopped top two pair against Pearce Arnold (5th – $49,842) and held through the river to narrow the field to four.

Nattress got all-in with top pair and the nut backdoor low draw facing an overpair and flush draw held by Chen. Nattress made two pair on the turn and improved to a fully-fledged low draw, but the river brought a king to improve Chen to top set. Nattress earned $69,129 as the fourth-place finisher.

Chen now had a massive lead going into three-handed play, with nearly eight times as many chips as second-ranked Lewis Brant. Sovann Penn was even shorter, and was soon eliminated by the trips nines and ace kicker of Chen on a high-only board. Penn was awarded $97,445 for his podium showing.

Heads-up play began with a big chip disadvantage for Brandt. Despite making up some ground in the early going, he was soon in the danger zone. The final hand saw Brandt’s chips go in with AKQ10 facing the K743 of Chen. The board ran out 97274 and Chen made sevens full of fours to best Brandt’s nut flush. Brandt earned $139,563 as the runner-up.

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

Visit the Card Player 2024 World Series of Poker page for schedules, news, interviews, and the latest event results. WSOP coverage sponsored by Global Poker.

Photo credit: WSOP / Danny Maxwell.

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