Canada's 9 Bracelets Sets Record Number Of Wins At WSOP 2013

Only a few days ago Canada set the record for the most bracelets won by a non-US country at the World Series of Poker, after Jason Duval made it 7 bracelets out of 28 events. However, since then Canada has continued its unprecedented run in Las Vegas with Justin Oliver and Daniel Idema having added another two titles to the country’s tally making it an incredible 9 out of 39 tournaments.
Both bracelets were won within a few hours of each other on Sunday night, starting with 37 year-old Toronto pro Justin Oliver overcoming a field of 566 players at WSOP $2,500 No Limit Hold’em – 4 Handed (Event #38) to claim the $309,071 top prize.
Next, 28 year-old former hockey pro from Vancouver Daniel Idema did likewise at WSOP $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi/Lo (Event #39), having bested a tough field of 558 players to add a further $184,590 to his career earnings which now total $1,699,642. Following his remarkable victory, Daniel Idema commented:
“Everything’s going our way. It’s the way it goes sometimes. It’s pretty fortunate, and I’m just happy that my friends are just dominating.”
The list of other Canadian winners at WSOP 2013 now include Charles Sylvestre, Benny Chen, Michael Malm, Levi Berger, Mark Radoja, Calen McNeil, and Jason Duval.
One of the reasons why Canada’s result at the WSOP are skyrocketing may be linked to the legal status of online poker in the USA’s neighbour, which greatly improves a players skills in the live arena. However, Jonathan Duhamel’s 2010 Main Event win is also believed to have dramatically changed the landscape of poker in Canada, thus setting off a boom, especially in Quebec. As WPT Montreal Season XI winner Jonathan Roy explains:
“I think in Quebec it is getting pretty good because of Jonathan. He was on every TV station and he kind of explained how it works. Some people still think it is gambling. But more and more I think people are understanding what is going on and what the game is all about.”
With 62 WSOP gold bracelet events available this year in Las Vegas, in remains to be seen just how far Canada can now further capitalize on its incredible run.
Here are the bracelet tallys so far at WSOP 2013:
United States: 25
Canada: 9
Belgium: 2
Australia: 1
Austria: 1
Bulgaria: 1