A high-five turns to heartbreak: Poker player celebrates only to find he's been eliminated.

Japanese player Seiji Sasaki mistakenly thought he had won a crucial double in the WSOP $1,500 Millionaire Maker and celebrated with his friends and family, only to find out later that he had actually been eliminated, finishing in 15th place and winning $75,200.

This is one of the most attended tournaments in the World Series of Poker this year. With only two tables left in the #50:$1,500 Millionaire Maker event, every decision has a profound impact.

The outcome was crucial, as the tournament was expected to crown a champion and create two millionaires on Wednesday. Unfortunately, Japanese player Seiji Sasaki will not be one of those taking home the seven-figure prize. Sasaki finished in 15th place after a dramatic match against Michael Monroig.

Sasaki initially thought he had won a crucial double, and he celebrated and high-fived his friends and family. But when he returned to the poker table, he realized the reality...

This hand

With 15 players remaining in the Millionaire Makers tournament, Michael Monroig opened from the close position and raised to 2,000,000. Seiji Sasaki called from the big blind. Sasaki, with less than a big blind remaining, checked and called all-in on the flop of 10♣8♣7♣, revealing his cards.

Seiji Sasaki：5♠5♣

Michael Monroig: A♣2♠

Both players held flush draws, with Monroig holding a nut flush draw with A♣. "This is a post-flop showdown," commentator Joe Stapleton remarked. The turn, a 10♥, paired the board, giving Monroig more options—if the board pairs again, he has a chance to "offset" Sasaki's hand.

"This is a nerve-wracking turn," commented co-commentator Maria Ho. "There are many ways to offset it now."

The moment Sasaki called on the flop, he went straight to his friends and family. He leaned against the fence and prayed with them that their compatriots would survive.

When the river card 7♥ was dealt, Sasaki turned around to high-five his friends and family in celebration, then quickly returned to the poker table.

“I think he thought he’d won,” Stapleton said. “See? We all do…”

Realizing his mistake, Sasaki gracefully bowed to his opponent and pushed his chips forward. He then returned to his family and friends, chatting and laughing with them.

Despite this brief lapse, Sasaki still managed to stand out among over 11,000 players, finishing in 15th place. He took home $75,200 in prize money, the biggest prize of his career.

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