It’s hard to argue that a player like Josh Arieh has a hole in his resume. The six-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner has $12 million in career earnings, was 2021 WSOP Player of the Year and has two World Poker Tour final tables to go along with $1.4 million in WPT prizes.
But Arieh doesn’t have a WPT title. Yet.
He has a runner-up and third place finish, but the former was 15 years ago and Arieh looks more like his 2004 self than 2022.
He’s been all smiles and positivity at the $3,500 WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown Championship a couple weeks removed from his wedding. He’s also noticeably slimmer – also joining Sean Deeb during his weight loss bet.
“I feel good, I don’t know if I’m playing better, but I definitely feel better and have a lot more energy,” Arieh said before the start of play.
“The wedding was amazing, and I always run good,” he said. “I’m used to running good and good shit happens to me for some reason, I don’t know why.”
Good shit does keep happening to him; he came into Day 3 in the half of the chip counts and he’s cleared more than $250,000 in tournament winnings in the last six months. Impressive for a player the focuses nearly exclusively on the summer.
“WPTs are really prestigious but it’s too late for me to stack those up this late in my career,” said Arieh. “I’m focused on (WSOP) bracelets, but a WPT title would be cool.”
Does Arieh put in extra stock into the big events he plays? Was he up late last night looking at his table draw or studying hands?
“Nah, I just sit down, play and hopefully do well.”
All photos courtesy of WPT - shot by Joe Giron
