It must have seemed like a great idea at the time. And, to be fair, we still think this is very, very funny. But, for Jason Christopher, pulling the $0 mystery bounty at the final table of the WPT $1M Freeroll was just a thoroughly miserable experience.
For the nine players on the final table, who all got their tickets in a huge Wonka-style giveaway and then played their way through the field of 1,457 players, life-changing money was up for grabs. The winner would take a cool $1 million. There were also eight bounties up for grabs. A single $200K jackpot, a $50K, three $25Ks, two $10Ks, and the dreaded $0.
The $200K went straight away when Daniyal Gheba eliminated Jacob Stufflebean in ninth. Gheba also took one of the $25Ks in the next pull.
Then it was Christopher's moment. We could try putting his expression into words. But it's much better to watch the video above. And then again, focusing on the background as the rest of the players clock the $0 is out of play. And sorry, but the expression on Jeannie Duffy's face as she looks over his shoulder is worth the price of admission alone. The only other thing to say is that putting six zeroes on the card, rather than just the one, is prime trolling.
Okay, but you win the million? No
Christopher got agonizingly close to the $1 million as well. He put the disappointment of the $0 bounty behind him and got to heads-up, where he lost with AT vs. the AK of Chase Bricker.
Yes, Christopher won $250,000 for coming second. But the joy that brings will no doubt be tempered by a big what-might-have-been and some recurring nightmares featuring that envelope.
The PokerOrg X account summed it up perfectly, as did the ClubWPT Gold staffer who wrote, "Congratulations to Jason Christopher for winning back his buy-in!" Diabolical indeed.
