The World Series of Poker 2024 continues this month in Las Vegas across the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas casinos. Monday saw Japan’s Shiina Okamoto seize a victory in event #71, $1,000 Buy-in Ladies No Limit Hold ‘Em.
Okamoto finished second in the flagship women-only event of the WSOP season in 2023, and returned to win it all this year. She beat an all-female field of 1,245 players to bag the WSOP bracelet and a $171,732 payday.
The four-day tournament ended in a tense heads-up session, with Okamoto facing off against veteran pro and poker commentator Jamie Kerstetter.
Okamoto was at a chip disadvantage, but somehow found the way to come back and win the bracelet that she just missed out on in 2023.
“After finishing second last year, and with all my supporters here, winning this year feels even more special,” Okamoto said, speaking to WSOP.com via a translator.
The Tournament
Okamoto was one of the more experienced players in the event, but fell behind for most of the event to the super-experienced Kerstetter, who has 200 career cashes.
Other notable players who hit the felt included fifth-placed Mor Kamber, an ex-Israeli military intelligence officer, and popular poker, livestreamer, and two-time WSOP ring winner Kasey Lyn Mills.
However, Okamoto found a way back to hit the final heads-up against Kerstetter, who had been in the lead for most of the final day. Kerstetter started out with a bluff, sitting on a just a potential flush draw, and Okamoto went all-in on a two pair, swinging the chip lead into the Japanese player’s favor.
The final hand came down to Okamoto forcing all-in on a two pair against Kerstetter’s pair of aces. That brought the tournament to its end with Okamoto victorious, fulfilling the goal she’d publicly set herself on social media.
“I want to retrieve the things I left behind last year,” she posted (translated), before flying out to Las Vegas for the event.
Cashing out in second place for $114,479 was still a career best for Kerstetter, and took her total poker career winnings past the million-dollar mark.
The Final Standings
| Place | Name | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Shiina Okamoto | Japan | $171,732 |
| 2 | Jamie Kerstetter | U.S. | $114,479 |
| 3 | Ceci Liao | U.S. | $81,573 |
| 4 | Linda Durden | U.S. | $58,910 |
| 5 | Mor Kamber | Israel | $43,125 |
David is an online casino expert who specializes in online slots and boasts over 10 years experience writing about iGaming. He has written for a wide range of notable publications, including eSports Insider and WordPlay Magazine.
David graduated Derby University with a BA Degree in English Literature and Creative Writing.
