The finale of the Wynn Millions was as dramatic as it was unexpected as Neel Murthy took the title only after alate deal with runner-Chris Frank. On a day of drama, the final five were whittled down to just two as the German player Frank, who began the day with less than half of Murthy’s chips, managed to negotiate his way into a position where he too banked half a million dollars.
Early Levels Take Out Short Stacks
After a frantic end to the 4th day of action, the final table of nine had been left with just five players overnight. Of those, Neel Murthy was by far the strongest in terms of chips and experience, having over 21 million chips, with his nearest challengers on little over 8 million. Two players had little more than a dozen big blinds and one of the them was the first player to leave.
Jesse Kandola checked the flop of 
before shoving for 2.1 million chips over the bet of 650,000 from Paul Lozano Martin. The Spanish player used three time banks and called, but the surprise was a further call from Haim Gabay, who shoved, putting Martin to the further test for his entire stack. This time, the Spanish player backed down and when Gabay turned over 
for trip sixes, Kandola’s 
for top pair with top kicker looked weak by comparison. It proved so, a 
on the river sending Kandola home with a impressive $165,379.
That hit to Martin’s stack left him and he soon busted to Chris Frank. The Spanish player moved his final chips into the middle on a flop of 
with 
, top pair and a wheel gutter ball. Frank was behind with 
but not for long as the turn gave him the straight and a 
on the river ended matters for Martin as he headed to the rail to collect $223,372.
Murthy Makes the Moves, Deal Done
Three-handed play lasted a considerable time, and each player had periods of momentum to enjoy. When the dust settled and heads-up was reached, it was American Haim Gabay who was on the outside looking in. All-in with 
for almost 23 big blinds, he was called by Murthy with 
and the chip leader won the flip as a board of 
gave the eventual winner a set of nines on the river and sent Gabay home in third place for $301,369.
Heads-up, Murthy led by almost 3:1 with 35 million chips playing Frank’s 12.5 million. A pivotal hand came when Frank’s won when all-in against Murthy’s 
. The board of 
was the cruellest it could, coming three spades to 5th street to give Frank the nut flush and a slight lead. With Frank into a small lead, Murthy was ready to talk about a deal.
Agreeing to lock up half a million each, there was little to play on for other than the trophy and attending photography session but both men played on desperate for the win. Pocket queens handed Murthy the lead back and on a later board of 
, Murthy shoved with 
having rivered the flush. Frank called with 
but his trip jacks had only tripped him up and the title belonged to Murthy after a rollercoaster final day.
Relieved Murthy Plans WSOP Assault
“I could have blown the entire tournament.” ~ Wynn Millions 2024 Winner Neel Murthy
After the event, it was relief rather than jubilation that Murthy expressed as he took the title.
“I could have blown the entire tournament,” he said speaking with PokerNews reporters. “I check-raised king-queen for value on a queen-ten-four board. The turn was a five and I led out before he went all in. I ended up making a fold that left me with between 10 and 15 big blinds.”
Murthy’s comeback came with a hand that throughout the final table seemed destined to change the direction of the momentum – pocket kings.
“Two hands later, I woke up with kings and I got called with a pair and a flush draw,” said a relieved Murthy. “That brought me back to life before I doubled through Martin Zamani. Which felt good because he was the one that gave me **** for the king-queen fold.”
Murthy declared his intention to return to Las Vegas soon for the start of the 55th annual World Series of Poker in Las Vegas.
“I haven’t played a full [World Series] in many years, and I don’t think I’ll play the whole thing, but I will definitely play more events than I usually do.”
After going close at the WPT World Championship in December, finishing 27th for a score of $159,200, Murthy’s delight at finally capturing the title that many presumed would be a cakewalk overnight was there for all to see. He’ll be a threat in WSOP terms, and having only cashed for $84,000 in World Series events prior to the summer, will be looking ot win his first-ever gold bracelet.
Who would bet against him after a result like this?
| Wynn Millions $3,500 Championship 2024 Final Table Results: | |||
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1st | Neel Murthy | United States | $502,856* |
| 2nd | Chris Frank | Germany | $500,000* |
| 3rd | Haim Gabay | United States | $301,369 |
| 4th | Paul Lozano Martin | Spain | $223,372 |
| 5th | Jesse Kandola | United States | $165,379 |
| 6th | Pedro Ingles | Spain | $122,721 |
| 7th | Dominick Sarle | United States | $91,730 |
| 8th | Daniel Maor | United States | $69,947 |
| 9th | Jeremy Felicetti | United States | $54,467 |
