Vegas Golden Knights champion Jonathan Marchessault launches 55th World Series of Poker

Vegas Golden Knights Stanley Cup champion Jonathan Marchessault kicked off the 55th annual World Series of Poker (WSOP) by delivering the ceremonial "Shuffle Up and Deal." This year's WSOP, held at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, follows a record-breaking 2023 summer series that attracted 214,641 entrants from over 114 countries.

Marchessault, a 2023 Conn Smythe Trophy winner and one of the Knights' "Original Misfits," opened the first event of the series, the Champions Reunion No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout, centered around former WSOP Main Event champions. Joining him were several WSOP Main Event champions, including 2023 winner Daniel Weinman.

“I’ve heard about how special the World Series of Poker is, but seeing all of this energy today with former champions on hand really drives home the magnitude of this event,” said Marchessault. “While I’d rather still be on the ice fighting for a championship, sitting down to give it a shot in my first competitive poker tournament against WSOP legends is a nice consolation. The WSOP holds a special place in Las Vegas history, and I am so glad I could come out and be a part of it today.”

Marchessault, fresh from securing the Golden Knights’ first Stanley Cup and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy, participated in his first competitive poker tournament after receiving tips from poker legend Daniel Negreanu.

World Series of Poker Executive Director Ty Stewart said: “What a way to start out the 2024 World Series of Poker as we aim for our biggest and best series ever, following the record-setting summer that took place last year. Having a Las Vegas champion here today was the perfect way to kick off the summer and our new Champions Reunion event.”

The Champions Reunion No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout, featuring a $5,000 buy-in, includes a unique twist: players who eliminate a former Main Event champion gain automatic entry into the 2024 WSOP Main Event as a bounty. All living Main Event champions received a complimentary entry to this event.

The 2024 WSOP runs from May 28 to July 17, featuring nearly 700 tables and numerous new events. The highlight, the WSOP Main Event, begins on July 3 with four starting flights continuing through July 6. Late registration is available until July 8 through Level 7 on Day 2. The Main Event Final Table will take place on July 16-17 at Horseshoe Las Vegas.

Last year’s Main Event drew a record 10,043 entrants, with Daniel Weinman taking home $12.1 million, the largest first-prize payout in the series’ history, marking him as the first American Main Event champion since 2018.

The full 2024 WSOP schedule can be found on WSOP.com.