WSOP Millionaire Maker: ‘No Winner Recognized’ After Suspected Chip Dumping

• Jesse Yaginuma was denied a bracelet after the controversial tournament ending
• James Carroll’s passive play raised chip-dumping suspicions
• WPT bonus may have influenced final table dynamics

World Series of Poker (WSOP) officials said Monday Jesse Yaginuma won’t receive a winner’s bracelet for his controversial first-place finish last Wednesday in the Millionaire Maker event that sparked allegations of chip-dumping. Nor will Yaginuma be recognized as the official winner of the event.

The WSOP stopped short of accusing Yaginuma and his heads-up opponent, James Carroll, of collusion, but its decision strongly implies impropriety. Nevertheless, the remaining prize pool will be split between the two players.

“The investigation into WSOP Event 53 [Millionaire Maker] has been completed,” WSOP officials wrote on X. “We have concluded that in order to uphold the integrity of the game and to uphold our official WSOP Tournament Rules, no winner will be recognized, and no bracelet will be awarded for this year’s tournament.”

Suspicious Play

Many observers cried foul after Carroll, who took a 9-1 chip lead into heads-up play, began to play uncharacteristically passively, despite being an overwhelming favorite to win.

He folded repeatedly to preflop raises where calling would have been optimal. In one spot, he jammed all-in with pocket aces preflop – a move some believe may have discouraged action. He also three-bet with 8-3 offsuit, a notoriously weak hand, before folding to a four-bet.

Carroll is no amateur. He has two World Poker Tour (WPT) titles and two WSOP Circuit rings to his name, and is widely regarded as a highly competent tournament player.

Thus, a Yaginuma victory would boost the heads-up prize pool from $2.3 million to $3.3 million. Many suspected a backroom deal existed to engineer a Yaginuma win.

WPT Million?

It remains unclear whether Yaginuma will receive the $1 million bonus from the WPT, or whether his actions violated the terms of the ClubWPT promotion.

Casino.org has contacted the WPT for comment, including whether the organization plans to revise the promotion to prevent scenarios that could unintentionally incentivize collusion.