Who Won the 2022 World Series of Poker?
Let’s cut to the chase: The 2022 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event was pure fire. Thousands of players, $80 million on the line, and a final table so intense you’d forget to breathe. But when the smoke cleared, there was one name etched into poker history—Espen Jorstad, a Norwegian poker wizard who turned $10,000 into a life-changing $10 million. Let’s break down how this under-the-radar pro outplayed, out-bluffed, and out-lasted everyone.
The Unlikely Hero: Espen Jorstad’s Cinderella Story
Look, nobody had “Espen Jorstad” on their WSOP bingo card. But the guy didn’t just win—he dominated. Picture this: 8,663 players, including sharks who’ve been grinding since the Moneymaker era, and Jorstad? Cool as a fjord. By Day 3, he was down to crumbs after a brutal beat… but instead of tilting, he pulled off a comeback that’d make Netflix greenlight a documentary.
Pro Tip From Espen’s Playbook: “When your stack’s bleeding, you either fold or go full Viking. I chose Viking.”
The Final Table: Drama, Bluffs, and a Pocket Aces Mic Drop
The final table was chaos. Nine players, eight egos, and one Norwegian quietly stacking chips. Here’s the tea:
- Bluff of the Century: Jorstad shoved all-in with 7-2 offsuit (yes, the worst hand in poker) against a pro holding top pair. The table gasped. His opponent folded. Legend status: unlocked.
- The $10 Million Hand: Heads-up against Australia’s Adrian Attenborough, Jorstad looked down at pocket aces. The board ran out clean, Attenborough called with king-queen, and—bam!—Norway had its first WSOP champ. Cue confetti cannons.
Why This Win Matters (Besides the Obvious $10M)
- Poker’s New Poster Boy: Jorstad went from “Who’s that?” to “How do I pronounce his name?” overnight. Sponsorships? Probably. Groupies? Definitely.
- The “I Can Do This Too” Effect: Amateurs worldwide now think, “If a guy from Oslo can crush Vegas, why not me?” (Spoiler: It’s harder than it looks.)
- WSOP’s Post-Pandemic Revival: After COVID nearly flatlined live poker, the 2022 turnout screamed, “We’re back, baby!”
By the Numbers: 2022 WSOP in Crazy Stats
- 8,663 Entrants: Enough to fill 17 Boeing 747s. With poker chips.
- $80,782,475 Prize Pool: That’s roughly 23 tons of $100 bills.
- 88 Bracelet Events: From “Big O” to “Millionaire Maker,” there was a game for every degenerate.
The Real Winner? Poker Itself
The 2022 WSOP wasn’t just about Jorstad. It was a middle finger to algorithms, Zoom calls, and everything else that tried to kill live poker. The Rio Casino felt like a rock concert—smell of coffee, Red Bull, and desperation included.
Vegas Vibe Check: “You could taste the adrenaline,” said one railbird. “Even the dealers were sweating.”
So… What’s Next for Espen?
$10 million buys a lot of lutefisk. But Jorstad’s already plotting his next move: “Maybe a yacht? Nah—I’ll probably just register for the 2023 Main Event.”
Final Thought
The 2022 WSOP proved poker isn’t dead. It’s just getting started. And if you think AI can replicate the sweat, tears, and glory of a moment like Jorstad’s win? All-in, buddy. See you at the table.
