Frederic Normand Claims First WSOP Bracelet in Event #21, Collects $272,065 (US)
It took just over a decade of trying, but Canada's Frederic Normand finally broke through at the 2024 World Series of Poker. The true amateur — an IT professional by trade and a PokerStars software engineer — won his first career gold bracelet in Event #21 ($1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Max), taking home the $272,065 top prize and ending a long pursuit of poker's most coveted hardware.
Normand entered the final day third in chips among 10 remaining players in a field of 1,113 entrants. Despite limited live tournament experience — this was only his second WSOP cash ever — he navigated a tough final table that included Bracelet winner Jeffrey Hoop and short-handed specialist Michael Ace. The Canadian's defining moment came against American pro Steven Schwartz, who finished runner-up for $168,009. On the final hand, Schwartz held top pair and a straight draw while Normand flopped a set of kings, improving to a full house by the river.
"This is the dream," Normand said in his winner's interview. "I've been playing poker since college, watching WSOP coverage every year. To have my name on this bracelet alongside so many legends is surreal. I want to thank everyone who believed in me — my family, my colleagues at PokerStars, and all my friends who tracked the live stream." His victory is especially notable given his full-time role in the poker industry, proving that even those who build the software can still dominate at the felt.
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