No Bracelet Awarded to Milly Maker Winner Following Alleged Chip Dumping Scandal

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Jun 30, 2025 2 min read

Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll, alleged to have participated in a chip-dumping scheme, will receive their seven-figure payouts from the World Series of Poker (WSOP). But the winner won't take home the gold bracelet, per a tweet.

The poker pros with over $9 million in combined live tournament cashes were accused of colluding during heads-up play in the $1,500 buy-in Millionaire Maker event to allow Yaginuma, who stood to win an extra $1 million from ClubWPT Gold, to win the bracelet. Poker players immediately cried foul on social media, pointing to numerous questionable hands that led many to believe chip dumping occurred.

WSOP Reveals Decision

Yaginuma overcame a 9-1 chip deficit at the start of heads-up play in the Millionaire Maker, a tournament with 11,996 entrants. He was set to collect $1,255,180 for first place and the added $1 million from ClubWPT Gold, a prize no one else at the final table could claim.

Carroll, the runner-up, anticipated being paid $1,012,320 for second place. But the payments and the gold bracelet were put on hold while the WSOP investigated chip-dumping allegations. That investigation has concluded, and the WSOP has revealed its decision.

"The investigation into WSOP Event 53 has been completed.

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. The remaining prize pool will be split between the final two players," the WSOP tweeted.

Yaginuma would have won his fourth bracelet, but first in a live event. He would have earned bracelets in four consecutive years and has over $3.9 million in live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob. It's unclear what deal, if any, was arranged between the final two players in the Millionaire Maker event. But the prize pool, as paid out by the WSOP, will be split between Yaginuma and Carroll.

Yaginuma, as PokerNews reported on Friday, will receive the $1 million bonus check from ClubWPT Gold. He is the second contest winner this summer to go on to win a qualifying WSOP event for the seven-figure prize. Michael Lavin claimed the jackpot by winning WSOP Event #20: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em SHOOTOUT for $267,373 — a total of $1,267,373.

Millionaire Maker Champ Will Receive $1 Million Contest Bonus Despite Controversy

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