Nick Yunis has been a formidable presence on the live tournament poker circuit, raking in millions of dollars, yet until recently, all of his most significant achievements involved agonizing near-misses. While he accumulated several impressive six-figure winnings throughout his career, he consistently found himself falling just short of capturing the coveted championship title. That narrative took a dramatic turn this week when the skilled Chilean player triumphed over a competitive field of 361 entries at the 2024 World Poker Tour bestbet Scramble $5,000 buy-in no-limit hold’em main event, cementing his place among the elite in poker history.
With his win, Yunis etched his name onto the prestigious Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup and secured a career-high payout of $315,791. With this substantial win, his total recorded earnings have now soared to nearly $2.1 million, underscoring his ascent in the world of poker.
“I still can’t believe it. I’m like, ‘Am I dreaming?’ I’ve been playing for so long and I always wanted to accomplish this… a major title,” Yunis expressed with evident emotion during an interview with WPT reporters after his victory. “I’m thankful to God, to my supporters, my family that’s watching. My wife couldn’t come because of the baby, but I know they are extremely happy for me and I’m just over the moon.” His heartfelt words reflect the dedication and love that have fueled his poker journey.
This remarkable victory also earned Yunis a significant boost in the Card Player Player of the Year points, adding 1,200 points to his total. This marked his second POY-qualified scoring event of 2024, following his earlier triumph in an $1,100 buy-in side event at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, where he secured $34,005 along with 264 vital points.
The tournament took place from November 15-19 at the vibrant bestbet Jacksonville, boasting an eye-catching $1 million guarantee that was surpassed by a staggering $642,000 by the time registration closed. The event saw only the top 46 players cashing out, with notable competitors in the mix including bracelet winner Raj Vohra (41st), recent WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown champion Josh Reichard (30th), 2015 WSOP main event champion Joe McKeehen (17th), and three-time bracelet winner Tony Dunst (16th), all showcasing their skills in a fierce contest.
As the final day unfolded, three-time WPT champion Eric Afriat took the lead among the remaining six contenders, having significantly bolstered his chip stack when his K-J outperformed Miles’ A-Q in a critical hand at the end of day three. Afriat further extended his commanding lead when Dion Jagroo pushed all-in with a gutshot straight draw on a queen-high flop. Afriat confidently called with pocket jacks and maintained his grip through the river, eliminating Jagroo in sixth place with a commendable payout of $71,000.
A couple of orbits later, Nicholas Funaro attempted a daring multi-street bluff with a mere nine high during a battle of the blinds. He raised on both the flop and turn and moved all-in when checked to on the river with a final board of Q-8-5-A-K. His opponent, Yunis, made the crucial call with two pair, 8-5. Funaro revealed only a 9-3, leading him to exit in fifth place with a payout of $93,000. Funaro, whose brother is two-time bracelet winner Frank Funaro, has amassed $776,480 in career tournament earnings.
A similar bluffing strategy led to Joe Jordan’s downfall during the event. He also tried to execute a multi-street bluff against Yunis, who had already flopped a full house. Jordan pushed all-in on the river holding king high, only to receive a snap call from Yunis’ fours full. Left with a minuscule stack, Jordan soon found himself all-in with K-4 suited against Yunis’ A-6. The board failed to connect for either player, sending Jordan to the rail in fourth place with $123,000 in winnings.
Yunis gained momentum early in the three-handed play, seizing a significant pot with a rivered king-high straight that allowed him to take the lead over Afriat. Yunis executed a bold river bluff shove, effectively forcing Afriat off what was potentially the best hand, leaving the latter in need of a double-up. This opportunity presented itself with Afriat all-in with pocket kings against Yunkyu Song’s pocket nines. Unfortunately for Afriat, the board showed 9-7-6-5-3, allowing Song to secure a set and eliminate Afriat just shy of earning a record-tying fourth WPT title, leaving Darren Elias as the tour’s sole four-time main event champion for the time being.
As heads-up play commenced, Yunis began with an approximate 2:1 chip advantage over Song. The two players reached a deal at one point, redistributing the remaining prize money, while setting aside $33,000 and the title to compete for, which also included a coveted $10,400 seat in the upcoming WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. Consequently, Yunis had already secured at least $282,791, while Song locked in $252,059 for himself.
Though Song managed a double-up after slipping back, he remained heavily at a chip disadvantage, dropping to just over 11 big blinds ahead of the decisive final hand. Yunis shoved from the button with K-3, and Song called with K-5 from the big blind. The flop revealed K-J-4, giving both players top pair, but the turn brought a 7 that added a flush draw to Song’s outs for potential redemption. The river, however, delivered a 3, improving Yunis’ hand to kings and threes, and effectively concluding the tournament.
This thrilling runner-up finish propelled Song to his largest payday to date, raising his lifetime tournament earnings to over $1.4 million. Additionally, he accrued 1,000 POY points following what marked his tenth final-table appearance of the year, further building on his previous WPT Prime victory in Canada last October. With a total of 4,804 points, Song now ranks 23rd in the 2024 POY race presented by Global Poker.
Here is a look at the payouts and POY points awarded at the final table:
Photo credits: WPT / Katerina Lukina.
How has Nick Yunis’s journey shaped his perspective on consistency and performance in poker?
**Interview with Nick Yunis: From Near-Misses to WPT Champion**
**Editor:** Congratulations on your recent victory at the World Poker Tour bestbet Scramble, Nick! It must feel incredible to finally capture that major title after so many near-misses. Can you describe your emotions after winning?
**Nick Yunis:** Thank you! Honestly, it still feels surreal. I find myself wondering, “Am I dreaming?” I’ve put so much time and effort into my poker career, always aiming for this kind of accomplishment. Winning this title means the world to me, and I’m just over the moon right now. I’m grateful to God and my family for their unwavering support, even though my wife couldn’t be there because of our baby.
**Editor:** Your journey has certainly been impressive, with accumulated earnings nearing $2.1 million. How has the journey to this victory shaped your perspective on poker?
**Nick Yunis:** Every close call teaches you something, whether it’s about patience, strategy, or handling pressure. Those experiences build resilience. I think every setback added to my dedication and determination, ultimately leading to this win. This title is not just about the money, but about finally achieving the dream I’ve held for so long.
**Editor:** It was a highly competitive field with 361 entries. What was your strategy going into such a tough tournament?
**Nick Yunis:** I focused on staying patient and making calculated decisions. I knew the stakes were high, and I had to capitalize on opportunities when they arose. Staying calm and adjusting my play as the dynamics shifted was key. Plus, I always keep an eye on the other players and their tendencies, which helps in crucial moments.
**Editor:** You earned 1,200 Player of the Year points with this victory. How important is this recognition to you?
**Nick Yunis:** It’s significant! The Player of the Year race reflects consistency and performance over time. While winning titles is obviously important, proving myself across different events is gratifying as well. I’m excited about the future and hope I can continue this momentum.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, what are your goals in the poker world after this win?
**Nick Yunis:** My immediate focus is on the upcoming WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. I want to keep building on this success and further establish my presence in the poker community. Long-term, I’m aiming for more titles and to inspire emerging players, showing them that perseverance pays off.
**Editor:** That’s inspiring to hear! any message for your supporters and aspiring poker players out there?
**Nick Yunis:** To my supporters, thank you for believing in me. And to aspiring players, stay dedicated, be patient, and don’t get discouraged by setbacks. Each of those moments contributes to your growth. Keep pushing forward, and you’ll find success!
**Editor:** Thank you, Nick! Best of luck in your future tournaments.