WSOP 2026: Honghao Zhang Seals His First WSOP Victory with a Gold Bracelet (Event #13)

The popular format attracted a total of 1,840 entries, generating a massive prize pool of $2,442,600. Zhang, a 26-year-old doctoral student at Georgia Tech, isn't your typical poker professional. He views the game merely as a hobby alongside his studies, although he consistently achieves remarkable results.

Zhang's journey to the bracelet was no walk in the park. Despite entering the final day with a solid stack, he found himself at the bottom of the standings at one point during the final table. Yet, he remained patient, waiting for his opportunities. A pivotal moment came in the final three when Zhang, holding Q c 3 c, scored a runner-runner flush on a board of K s T c 7 d A c 5 c, eliminating David Rees who held A s T d.

Entering heads-up against Harlan Karnofsky, Zhang started with nearly even stacks but quickly gained a dominant lead.

Karnofsky eventually succumbed when Zhang's A d 5 c held strong against A h 4 c on the board A c 2 h 3 s 7 s T h. For the newly crowned champion, this win is a dream come true and confirmation that analytical skills from university hold immense value in poker.

Final Table Results of Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em

Source: WSOP

#result