WSOP 2026: Amateur Naseem Salem Shocks the Elite, Dominates Prestigious GGMillion$ (Event #11)

Article cover

Event #11: $10K GGMillion$ High Roller is a highlight of the calendar, attracting a total of 627 entries in 2026. This pushed the prize pool to a massive $5,831,100.

The final table was packed with stars — among the top eight players, there were five WSOP bracelet holders, including big names like John Racener, Chris Brewer, and Roman Hrabec.

The final day of play was dramatic, not just at the tables. During the game, there was even an earthquake felt in Las Vegas, but Salem remained unfazed. He watched as all the favored champions were eliminated until he reached heads-up against Alexis Cruz.

The players exchanged leads initially, but Salem soon established a decisive advantage. In the final hand, Cruz went all-in with Jh Jc but failed to withstand the challenge against Salem’s Ad Qs on a board of 3c 5s 3h Ac Kh. Salem thus turned his low expectations into a career-defining poker success, winning $1,089,964.

Final Table Results of Event #11: $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller

Place

Player

Country

Winnings

1.

Naseem Salem

USA

$1,089,964

2.

Alexis Cruz

USA

$726,598

3.

Chad Lipton

USA

$503,997

4.

Chris Brewer

USA

$355,610

5.

John Racener

USA

$255,306

6.

Roman Hrabec

Czech Republic

$186,562

7.

Joey Weissman

USA

$138,802

8.

Cliff Josephy

USA

$105,178



Source: WSOP


#result