While the World Series of Poker does not facilitate deals, it’s fairly common to see the final two or three players come to an agreement due to the sizable pay jumps.
With $4M for third place, $6.5M for second, and $12.1M for the champion, it would have been extremely reasonable for Steven Jones, Daniel Weinman, and Adam Walton to make a multi-million dollar agreement.
Given that the three remaining players all super-deep, somewhat close in chips, and playing for a combined $22,600,000, any sort of deal was possible. A classic low-risk, highly-profitable example of an acceptable agreement would be to guarantee $7M for third, $7.6M for second, and $8.6M plus the bracelet and the glory for first. That way everyone could earn better than second-place money while still having plenty to play for.
This won’t be happening.
According to Walton, the three have discussed amongst themselves and decided to play for it all. At least three-handed, anyway.
“We did (talk about our options) and we will not be doing a deal,” a very relaxed and fresh Walton said on his way into the Horseshoe Events Center. “There will not be a deal. I guess it’s possible that if I play one of the two (players) that’s more looking for the deal, we will do something (heads-up). Until that person is eliminated, there will be no deal.”
Weinman also touched on the potential windfall, saying, “I would say that they (the bracelet and the money) are both equally important. I mean, the bracelet comes with glory and all of that but you can’t really spend the bracelet. The money would allow us to do some very fun things in life.”
The 35-year-old has already won a WSOP bracelet, a WPT title, and a WPT Tournament of Champions title and is feeling plenty confident about his chances going in.
“I feel great. I haven’t done too much studying," he said. "I feel like I’m probably the most experienced, but they’re obviously great players to get this far in this tournament, so it’s gonna be a lot of fun out there. I think we’re going to have more fun than we expect.”
Cards are in the air at 1pm local time and the action will be available to watch on PokerGO beginning at 2pm.
