David Prociak Bags World Series of Poker Badugi Bracelet

David Prociak won a bracelet at his first World Series of Poker final table back in 2016, taking down a $1,500 seven card stud eight-or-better event. From 2017-2023, he made six more top four finishes, including two third-place showings and two runner-up finishes. The Orlando, Florida resident made another final table just a week into the 2024 WSOP and managed to close out the win, taking down this year’s $1,500 badugi event for his second bracelet and $129,676.

“It feels great; winning one could be a fluke. Winning two, you just can’t be a fluke. Coming in second twice last year sucked," Prociak told WSOP reporters after coming out on top. "Now I feel like I can actually take in some compliments.”

This was only the second time that the WSOP has hosted a stand-alone badugi bracelet event. The tournament debuted in 2023, with Portugal’s Michael Rodrigues coming away with the hardware. Prociak made the money last year, finishing 39th.

Prociak now has more than $2.3 million in recorded tournament earnings to his name, with more than half of that coming from his 44 in-the-money finishes in bracelet events.

With four final-table finishes and this win under his belt in 2024, Prociak is now sitting within reach of the top 300 in the Card Player Player of the Year standings presented by Global Poker.

This event drew 487 entries, with 74 making the money to earn a share of the $650,145 prize pool. The third and final day saw ten players return to the Horseshoe Las Vegas, with Tobias Leknes in the lead and Prociak not far behind. Those two remained out front when the official final table of seven was set. Yuya Murata (7th – $14,190) was the first to be eliminated after that with his three-card five bested by a three-card four for Tomasz Gluszko.

Two-time bracelet winner Brandon Cantu’s jack badugi was bested by the 8-5-2-A badugi of Edward Yam and the 8-3-2-A Badugi of Prociak in a three-way confrontation. Cantu finished sixth for $19,330, while Prociak won both the main and side pots.

Prociak also scored the next knockout, ending with a three-card seven to top the three-card eight of Gluszko (5th – $26,988). He then won the pot that left Leknes sitting with just over a single big bet.

Leknes was soon all in and called in two spots. He made a three-card three, which Prociak tied. Bracelet winner Matt Grapenthien showed a ten badugi, though, to scoop the pot and eliminate Leknes in fourth place ($38,597).

Similar hands showed up in the next knockout situation. Yam would up with 3-2-A, having paired his deuce on the last draw. Prociak patted on the end with a 10-8-7-3 and it was good enough to end Yam’s run in third place ($56,508).

Heads-up play began with Prociak holding more than a 5:1 chip lead over Grapenthien. Early action went Grapenthien’s way, but Prociak was able to pull away again in time for the final hand of the tournament. All of the chips got in after the first draw, which had seen Grapenthien draw one against Prociaks two. They drew the same amount on the second draw. Grapenthien pulled one for the final draw, while Prociak stayed pat with QJ42. Grapenthien showed 773A for a three-card seven and was eliminated in second place ($84,650). The 2014 $10,000 stud championship winner now has $976,000 in recorded tournament earnings to his name.

Here are the payouts and POY points that were 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 credits: WSOP / Hayley Hochstetler.

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