What Is 2013 World Series of Poker results

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event was won by Ryan Riess, who took home $8,361,570. The tournament concluded on November 4, 2013, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

Key Facts

Ryan Riess won the 2013 WSOP Main Event with a prize of $8,361,570
The Main Event had 6,352 entrants, generating a prize pool of $59,708,800
The tournament began on July 6, 2013, and ended on November 4, 2013
Riess earned his entry through a $230 satellite tournament
Jay Farber finished second, winning $5,174,357

Overview

The 2013 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was the 44th annual edition of the prestigious poker tournament series held at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The centerpiece, the $10,000 No-Limit Texas Hold’em Main Event, attracted 6,352 players, the third-largest field in WSOP history at the time.

This year marked a shift in momentum for American players, as Ryan Riess claimed the title, becoming the first U.S. winner since 2009. The event was notable for its extended schedule, with the final table delayed until November due to the November Nine format introduced in 2008.

Ryan Riess, a 23-year-old from Michigan, won the Main Event after entering via a $230 satellite, showcasing the dream of turning small stakes into millions.
The Main Event prize pool totaled $59,708,800, with payouts extending to the top 648 finishers, each earning at least $15,306.
The final table, known as the November Nine, was set on July 15 but paused until November 4, allowing players time to prepare and build media buzz.
Second-place finisher Jay Farber took home $5,174,357, the largest payday of his career, despite falling just short of the title.
This was the first year ESPN broadcast the November Nine finale live, increasing public engagement and real-time viewer interaction.

How It Works

The WSOP Main Event follows a structured elimination format where players start with equal chips and compete until one remains. The 2013 edition used the November Nine delay to enhance storytelling and media coverage.

Buy-in: $10,000 — Each player paid a $10,000 entry fee, with $9,445 contributing to the prize pool and $555 covering fees.
Starting Stack: 30,000 chips — All players began with 30,000 in tournament chips, with blinds increasing every 60 to 90 minutes.
Entries: 6,352 — This number produced the third-largest prize pool in WSOP history at the time, behind only 2006 and 2010.
Final Table Delay: The final nine players were set in July but returned in November, a format used from 2008 to 2016 to boost TV ratings.
Payout Structure: The top 10% of finishers (648 players) received prize money, with the winner claiming 13.9% of the total pool.
Champion's Bracelet: Riess received the WSOP Main Event bracelet, a gold ring symbolizing the highest achievement in tournament poker.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2013 WSOP Main Event compares to other recent editions in terms of participation and payouts:

Year	Entrants	Prize Pool	Winner	1st Prize
2013	6,352	$59,708,800	Ryan Riess	$8,361,570
2012	6,598	$62,021,200	Greg Merson	$8,531,853
2011	6,865	$64,531,000	Pius Heinz	$8,715,638
2010	7,319	$63,975,200	Jonathan Duhamel	$8,944,310
2009	6,495	$60,403,500	Joe Cada	$8,546,435

The 2013 tournament saw a slight decline in entries compared to 2012 and 2011, reflecting a broader trend of fluctuating participation post-2006 poker boom. Despite this, the prize pool remained substantial, and Riess’s victory reinvigorated American pride in a field increasingly dominated by international players.

Why It Matters

The 2013 WSOP Main Event was a pivotal moment in modern poker history, symbolizing both accessibility and the power of media in shaping the game’s narrative. Ryan Riess’s journey from satellite to champion remains one of the most inspiring underdog stories in poker.

Amateur Success: Riess’s win demonstrated that satellite qualifiers could compete and win at the highest level, inspiring thousands to enter low-cost tournaments.
Media Impact: The November Nine format, combined with live ESPN coverage, brought unprecedented attention to the final table, boosting poker’s mainstream visibility.
Economic Influence: The $59.7 million prize pool highlighted poker’s financial scale, attracting investors and sponsors to the broader WSOP series.
Global Competition: The diverse field, including players from 107 countries, underscored poker’s international appeal and competitive depth.
Legacy of the November Nine: The delayed final table became a signature of the WSOP until 2017, when it returned to a live final due to player feedback.
Career Launchpad: Riess’s win elevated his profile, leading to sponsorship deals and a lasting presence in high-stakes poker circuits.

The 2013 WSOP not only crowned a new champion but also reinforced the tournament’s role as a cultural and competitive cornerstone in the world of professional poker.