WSOP Day 16: Santhosh Suvarna Triumphs in $50K High Roller, $100K Event Kicks Off

The Magic of Santhosh Suvarna

Indian phenomenon Santhosh Suvarna claimed the highest prize of this year’s series and his third gold bracelet in the prestigious $50K High Roller. Facing 167 entries filled with the world’s elite, Suvarna converted his dominance into a $1,922,870 payday, solidifying his top position in India's all-time earnings leaderboard. He described the victory as “magical” and admitted that his only remaining poker goal is to win the Main Event, after which he plans to retire.

The final day was full of dramatic twists, thanks especially to Russian Anatoly Zlotnikov. At one point, Zlotnikov held more than half the chips in play, but he lost his massive lead to Suvarna, who called Zlotnikov's bluff with A d 9 s on a board of 7 h 6 s 3 s K c 5 s, where the river completed Suvarna's flush with K s T s. The loss hit Zlotnikov hard, and he exited in 5th place.

The final heads-up against Chang “Jack” Lee lasted just over an hour and ended in a dramatic fashion. Lee, with K s K d, was close to making a comeback after going all-in on a turn of 9 d 9 c T d 8 c. Suvarna, holding 8 h 7 h, needed help to win, and it arrived — the river 8 s gave him trips, sealing the tournament's fate.

Final Table Results for Event #29: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed

Ren Lin Leads Star-Studded $100K High Roller

While the $50K High Roller concluded, the most expensive event of the series — Event #36: $100K High Roller — kicked off. The initial ten levels attracted 67 entries, bringing the prize pool to $6,432,000. These numbers are expected to grow as late registration remains open through the first two levels of Day 2.

At the end of Day 1, 31 players bagged their chips, with Ren Lin holding a significant lead. The Chinese player surged to the front after the evening break, eliminating Matthias Eibinger and Jesse Lonis.

The final minutes of the day belonged to Martin Kabrhel. In the last hand of the night, his K s K d eliminated Michael Macchia’s Q s Q h, placing him just outside the Top 10. Fan favorite Daniel Negreanu entered late and immediately hit a set against Christoph Vogelsang, taking all his chips.

Just minutes after his $50K High Roller win, fresh champion Santhosh Suvarna joined the fray, ending Day 1 at the bottom of the leaderboard.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #36: $100,000 High Roller NLH

Dennis Weiss Claims Third Bracelet

In the technically demanding Event #30: $1,500 Limit Hold’em, German pro Dennis Weiss emerged victorious among 510 entries. For his triumph, he collected $133,704 and added his third gold bracelet to his collection.

Weiss’s path to the title was not straightforward. He admitted that he faced a critical situation at the end of the second day. However, the final day was entirely in his control.

The final table featured big names like Patrick Leonard and Ronnie Bardah, with Weiss delivering one of the most brutal moments of the day in a duel with Bardah. In a key hand for his tournament life, Bardah held 9 s 9 d against Weiss’s 7 s 7 c, but the “poker gods” favored the German, bringing him quads with a board of 2 d J h 7 h 5 h 7 d.

The final heads-up lasted almost three levels, with Weiss facing American Omar Mehmood. Although Mehmood managed to reduce the gap, Weiss held on to his victory.

Final Table Results for Event #30: $1,500 Limit Hold’em 7-Handed

Record-Breaking Monster Stack Won by Richard Alsup

The legendary Monster Stack found its champion after five days. In a massive field, which reached a record 11,933 entries, American Richard Alsup triumphed without a challenger. For his career-defining achievement, he pocketed a staggering $1,302,125 from a prize pool exceeding $12 million, adding his second career gold bracelet.

Early chipleader Kevin Eyster experienced a downright disastrous evening — after a series of failed hands and doubling opponents, he shockingly exited in 7th place. Most of the final table was under the control of Salvatore Dicarlo, who entered the final heads-up with a better than 2:1 lead.

The title bout lasted almost three hours, with Alsup displaying patient play. As he later admitted, he utilized a strategy of limping nearly every pot to keep the game under control. Despite trailing at a 1:4 ratio at one point, he managed to turn things around and secure victory.

Final Table Results for Event #18: $1,500 Monster Stack NLH

Ryan Hughes Chases Fourth Bracelet

The prestigious $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo Championship saw a surge to 390 entries, creating a prize pool of $3,627,000, thanks to late registration.

After a grueling second day, only 25 players remain, led by three-time bracelet winner Ryan Hughes. He is closely followed by Martin Zamani, with other notable players like Dylan Weisman, Joao Vieira, and Jason Mercier still in the mix.

The second day was the end of the road for Daniel Negreanu and defending champion Philip Sternheimer, who exited before ITM. Phil Hellmuth also bowed out but claimed $21,162 for 37th place.

Top 5 Stacks After Day 2 – Event #33: $10,000 PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

German Jessica Vierling in $3K NLH Top Five

Event #32: $3K NLH saw 1,300 entries and a prize pool of $3,471,000. Going into Day 2, 57 players remained, with Greek Argyriadis leading the pack. Also shining is Germany's Jessica Vierling, attacking her first bracelet from fourth place.

Among those continuing the battle for the $538,158 prize are well-known names like Joe McKeehen and Jim Collopy.

Top 5 Stacks After Day 2 – Event #32: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em

Brief Overview of Other Events:

• Event #34: $500 COLOSSUS – The first of four opening flights (1a) drew 2,684 entries, from which 501 players advanced to Day 2a. Joseph Ozimok, whose best result was 12th place in last year’s Main Event, leads.

• Event #35: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha – Day 1a in PLO attracted 976 entries, with only 61 players advancing after 17 levels. Chinese player Qiang Xu tops the leaderboard.

• Event #37: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. – The first H.O.R.S.E. event of the year kicked off with 780 players. After Day 1, 171 players remain in the hunt for the $183,366 prize, with Swiss Daniel Makowsky leading. Fresh bracelet holder Stephen Hubbard (Event #12) sits in the Top 3, with legends like Nick Schulman, Brian Hastings, and Mike Matusow also advancing.

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, YouTube