David Prociak won his first World Series of Poker bracelet at his inaugural final table in 2016 by conquering a $1,500 seven card stud eight-or-better event. Between 2017 and 2023, he secured six more top-four finishes, including two third-place and two runner-up finishes. The Orlando, Florida resident made another final table in the first week of the 2024 WSOP, where he clinched his second bracelet by winning the $1,500 badugi event, earning $129,676.
“It feels great; winning one could be a fluke. Winning two, you just can’t be a fluke. Coming in second twice last year sucked,” Prociak told WSOP reporters. “Now I feel like I can actually take in some compliments.”
This was only the second stand-alone badugi bracelet event in WSOP history. The tournament debuted in 2023, with Michael Rodrigues of Portugal winning. Prociak finished 39th in that inaugural event.
The event attracted 487 entries, with 74 players earning a share of the $650,145 prize pool. On the third and final day, ten players returned to the Horseshoe Las Vegas, with Tobias Leknes leading and Prociak close behind. These two maintained their positions when the official final table of seven was formed. Yuya Murata (7th – $14,190) was the first eliminated when his three-card five was beaten by Tomasz Gluszko’s three-card four.
Two-time bracelet winner Brandon Cantu’s jack badugi lost to Edward Yam’s 8-5-2-A badugi and Prociak’s 8-3-2-A badugi in a three-way confrontation, finishing sixth for $19,330. Prociak won both the main and side pots. Prociak continued his streak by knocking out Gluszko (5th – $26,988) with a three-card seven against Gluszko’s three-card eight. Prociak then won the pot that left Leknes with just over a single big bet.
Leknes went all in and called in two spots, making a three-card three, which Prociak tied. Bracelet winner Matt Grapenthien showed a ten badugi, scooping the pot and eliminating Leknes in fourth place ($38,597). In the next elimination, Yam ended up with 3-2-A but paired his deuce on the last draw. Prociak, holding 10-8-7-3, patted on the end and ended Yam’s run in third place ($56,508).
Heads-up play began with Prociak holding a more than 5:1 chip lead over Grapenthien. Early action favored Grapenthien, but Prociak regained the upper hand for the final hand of the tournament. All the chips went in after the first draw, with Grapenthien drawing one and Prociak two. On the second draw, they drew the same amount. For the final draw, Grapenthien pulled one while Prociak stayed pat with Q♣J♥4♠2♦. Grapenthien showed 7♥7♠3♦A♣ for a three-card seven and was eliminated in second place ($84,650). The 2014 $10,000 stud championship winner now has $976,000 in recorded tournament earnings.
Final table Results:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points |
| 1 | David Prociak | $129,676 | 720 |
| 2 | Matt Grapenthien | $84,650 | 600 |
| 3 | Edward Yam | $56,508 | 480 |
| 4 | Tobias Leknes | $38,597 | 360 |
| 5 | Tomasz Gluszko | $26,988 | 300 |
| 6 | Brandon Cantu | $19,330 | 240 |
| 7 | Yuya Murata | $14,190 | 180 |
