WSOP Day 14: Martirosian Claims Fourth Bracelet, Negreanu Chases Title in One of the Cheapest Series Events

Dominance of 'King Arthur' in the High Roller

Russian professional Artur Martirosian crowned champion in one of the toughest tournaments of the series, walking away with his fourth gold bracelet from a field of 242 entries. Already boasting over $32 million in winnings, Martirosian added $1,286,285 to his resume with this victory.

The final table was packed with stars, yet Martirosian maintained the chiplead almost throughout the event. Despite that, securing the title was no easy feat. He had to overcome his friend Pavel Plesuv in a marathon heads-up battle lasting over two hours.

Third place went to Sean Winter, one of the best players without a bracelet, still waiting for his first WSOP title.

After his victory, Martirosian graciously acknowledged his final opponent's skills, naming Plesuv the second-best player at the table—right after himself.

Final Table Results of Event #24: $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em

Negreanu, Foxen, and Rast Battle for 'Cheap' Bracelet

The affordable hybrid Event #28: $600 Deepstack Mixed NLH/PLO attracted a massive field of 3,332 entries, creating a prizepool of $1,679,328. The future champion will take home a gold bracelet and $204,140.

After 22 action-packed levels on Day 1, only 132 players remain, with Darryll Fish leading as the chipleader.

Unusually for such a low buy-in, the top ranks feature stars and Hall of Famers like Brian Rast, Daniel Negreanu, and Alex Foxen.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #28: $600 Deepstack Mixed NLH/PLO

Series Trend: Strategic Late Registration on Day 2

This year's WSOP reveals a new trend reshaping tournament dynamics—mass late registration directly into Day 2. This phenomenon was particularly notable in the recent $25K High Roller (Event #19), where 28% of the field (98 out of 345 players) opted to start on the second day.

For professionals, it's not just convenience but pure mathematics. An analysis shows that players entering on Day 2 achieve an instantaneous ICM value increase of approximately 13.2% for their stack.

Conversely, those starting from the very first hand on Day 1 face a 5% ICM value loss compared to late registrants. This trend spurs heated debates in the poker world on how to protect recreational players and whether Day 1 should offer perks, like a bigger starting stack or reduced rake, to prevent semi-empty first days.

Wilson Leads in the Most Expensive Event So Far

The day also marked the start of the prestigious $50K High Roller. The opening eight levels saw 104 entries, and registration remains open through the first two levels of Day 2.

Brandon Wilson leads among the 41 remaining players, chasing his second victory this year after finishing ninth in the Heads-Up Championship.

The day was a nightmare for several icons. Daniel Negreanu unsuccessfully fired both his bullets, and defending champion Jason Koon met the same fate.

In contrast, Ignacio Moron, Brian Breck, and elite Europeans Christoph Vogelsang and Matthias Eibinger impressed, securing spots in the top five of the leaderboard.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #29: $50,000 High Roller NLH

Jake Schwartz on the Brink of Elusive Gold

The $10K Dealer's Choice Championship's second day was a drama-filled affair. Late registration closed with 163 entries, creating a prizepool of $1,515,900, with the winner set to claim $371,664.

The final day will see 11 players return, led by Jake Schwartz with a commanding advantage. Schwartz has over 150 WSOP cashes and 10 final tables but still awaits his first bracelet—and this event might be his life-changing chance.

Hot on his heels is Chad Eveslage, the 2023 event champion. Legends like Nick Schulman and Jeremy Ausmus are also in contention. The journey ended, however, for defending champion Ryan Hoenig and notable names such as Scott Seiver and Benny Glaser.

Finalist Rankings for Event #27: $10,000 Dealer's Choice Championship

Christopher Alcindor Tops Big O

Five-card PLO Hi-Lo, known as Big O, attracted a massive field of 2,150 entries, generating a prize pool of $2,802,785. Canadian Christopher Alcindor claimed his first career bracelet and a prize of $387,110 after a three-day marathon.

Starting the final day with 29 players, Alcindor reached the final table with the fourth-largest stack. An interesting note was the fall of original chipleader Anthony Reategui, who began in a great position but ended up in seventh place.

The tournament's conclusion was a swift affair. Alcindor entered heads-up with a huge lead, and in the final hand, hit trips on the flop while his opponent James Roullier waited in vain for a flush.

Final Table Results of Event #22: $1,500 Big O

Incredible Road Trip for 21-Year-Old Brayden Lou

A story straight from the silver screen unfolded in Event #25: $500 Freezeout NLH with Brayden Lou. The 21-year-old recent graduate stopped in Las Vegas with his father while returning home to San Diego, intending to play just one tournament.

After a disappointment in the Monster Stack, he jumped into the $500 Freezeout, and from a field of 4,100 players, emerged victorious. In only his fourth live tournament, he won a gold bracelet and $196,066.

However, the tournament also featured a bizarre moment, showing how chance often dictates a player's fate. Deep in the tournament, Scott Coyle failed to notice Douglas Cowell's all-in of 250,000 chips.

On the small blind, Coyle declared a simple 'call' to cover the big blind, but rules forced him to match the entire all-in with a weak hand J h 3 c against Cowell's A s Q h. Fortune was on Coyle's side as he hit a straight on the turn to shockingly eliminate Cowell.

Final Table Results of Event #25: $500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em

Pecheux Leads Final Twelve of the $2K NLH Event

Event #26: $2,000 NLH had a rapid start to its second day, with the bubble bursting in the day's first level. From 160 players, only the final 12 remain after ten hours of play.

The finalists are guaranteed at least $14,430, but the ultimate goal is the gold bracelet and $288,064 in prize money.

Frenchman Erwann Pecheux surged to the top of the field late in the evening, winning several large pots in the closing level. The only bracelet holder left is American Braxton Dunaway, currently sitting in third.

The day was harsh on many stars. Czech player Zdeněk Žižka, who battled on the final table of the $25K High Roller a day prior, concluded his run in 35th place, earning $8,207. Rising female star Shiina Okamoto finished 36th ($7,046), marking her best result thus far at WSOP 2026.

Rankings of the 12 Finalists Event #26: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em

Valentin Vornicu Leading Monster Stack After Day 3

The third day in the gigantic Monster Stack saw the field narrowed down to 80 players from 660 hopefuls. They are now guaranteed at least $19,000, with the winner set to claim a top prize of $1,302,125.

American Valentin Vornicu emerged as the massive chipleader, bagging more than three times the average stack. Also holding strong positions in the Top 10 are Jonas Lauck and Martin Zamani.

Conversely, Day 3 proved to be the end of the road for the legendary John Juanda (273rd place) and renowned entertainer Martin Kabrhel (101st place), who left visibly disappointed after narrowly missing the top 100.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 3 – Event #18: $1,500 Monster Stack NLH

Limit Hold'em Specialists in Action

Event #30: $1,500 Limit Hold'em 7-handed attracted 510 limit format enthusiasts, creating a prize pool of $677,025. The winner will take home $133,704.

Day 1 ended with 105 players progressing, led by Laura Wolkoff. More attention, however, is drawn to Ronnie Bardah, currently in second. Bardah is a known Limit specialist who won a bracelet in this format back in 2012 and has consistently reached final tables in Limit events in recent years.

The field of survivors also includes stars like Yuri Dzivielevski, Patrick Leonard, and Eli Elezra.

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, PokerNews, X