WSOP Day 22: Calvin Anderson Aims for Another Razz Title, Negreanu Stages Epic Comeback in $25K PLO

Barakat Leads $25K PLO, Negreanu Among Top Ten

The second starting day of the $25K PLO High Roller confirmed that Omaha is on the rise. Flight 1b attracted 224 entries, bringing the total to 329 and pushing the prize pool near the $8 million mark.

From this flight, 83 players advanced to the second day, led dominantly by Italy's Youness Barakat. Daniel Negreanu made headlines with a classic "re-entry story." He busted on his first hand of the initial buy-in only to come back stronger with his second attempt, finishing Day 1b in 7th place.

The spotlight was also on UFC fighter Colby Covington, known for loving the high variance and "gambling" spirit of PLO. Covington advanced with a playable stack and plans to jump into the upcoming $50K PLO event.

In the mix are also Erik Seidel, Brian Rast, and defending champion Dennis Weiss.

Top 10 Stacks (Day 1b) – Event #47: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha 

Calvin Anderson Poised for Second $10K Razz Title

The prestigious $10K Razz Championship drew 155 players this year, surpassing last year's turnout. After Day 2, only eight finalists remain. All players left are guaranteed at least $36,395, but $357,026 and a prestigious bracelet await the winner.

Chipleader Calvin Anderson, a five-time bracelet winner, aims to recapture the title he won in 2018 and stands in an ideal position to do so. Max Kruse, a former professional footballer and bracelet holder from the 2022 WSOPE, is in third place heading into the final.

Todd Dakake delivered a dramatic story, finding himself critically short with less than one blind near day's end. However, he managed to quadruple his stack, followed by another double-up, playing aggressively to reach the final.

Legendary Benny Glaser narrowly missed the final, bowing out in 11th.

Final Table Line-Up – Event #48: $10,000 Razz Championship

Star-Studded Field Close to Bubble

The $2,500 NLH Freezeout, offering players no chance for a retry, attracted a total of 1,561 players. With such interest, the prize pool soared to $3,473,225, with $513,885 awaiting the winner.

After a grueling Day 1, 275 players remain in the hunt for the bracelet. Payouts will commence from the top 235, so the bubble is expected to burst early on the following day.

James Goldblatt, an unknown player, built the chiplead, but experienced pros and bracelet holders like Tom Hall, Faraz Jaka, and Marco Johnson are breathing down his neck. Over 40 WSOP winners are still in contention.

Michael Mizrachi has also made a promising start, sitting just outside the Top 10, with former Main Event champions Joe McKeehen and Jonathan Tamayo also in the mix.

Top 10 Stacks after Day 1 – Event #49: $2,500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em

Daniel Aharoni Dominates $10K Big O Finale

Big O specialist Daniel Aharoni from New York, typically not seen in tournament play, claimed victory in a field of 456 entries, earning $861,287 — surpassing all his previous tournament winnings combined.

Aharoni's path to the title almost ended during Day 3 when he found himself all-in against Bruno Furth. Believing he was out, he was already departing the table when Furth noticed Aharoni's river flush.

With this second chance, Aharoni bulldozed the final four on the last day, defeating Aaron Kupin in the heads-up to claim his first golden bracelet.

Final Table Results – Event #42: $10,000 Big O Championship

Engineer Justin Smith Conquers 16,000-Player Field

An incredible story was penned by quality engineer Justin Smith in the giant Event #34: $500 COLOSSUS. Smith emerged as the champion of 16,269 entries, turning his $500 buy-in into a fairytale win of $550,000.

In the final, Smith demonstrated a remarkable comeback. He fell to four big blinds with four players remaining but managed a double-up with A-J against A-6. From then on, Smith was unstoppable.

He concluded the final heads-up against Myles German in the very first hand when his A s K h completed a flush on the board 4 c J h 2 h ​​​​​​​T h ​​​​​​​4 h and beat German's 8 s ​​​​​​​8 d. Despite his first bracelet win, Smith's WSOP 2026 journey ends as he must return to his regular job duties.

Final Table Results – Event #34: $500 COLOSSUS

Eddie Blumenthal Achieves Bracelet Success

The final day of the combined Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better tournament concluded a story of perseverance. Out of 587 entries creating a $1,306,075 prize pool, Eddie Blumenthal emerged victorious.

For the seasoned American, this was an emotional moment, achieving the coveted gold bracelet on his tenth attempt at a final table. He took home a reward of $248,545.

Blumenthal triumphed over Russian player Nikolai Fal in the final heads-up and faced fierce competition from Justin Liberto, who aimed for another impressive result but finished ninth.

Lady luck wasn't with Cyndy Violette, the last woman in the event, whose aces in Omaha Hi-Lo were broken by the eventual winner Blumenthal, eliminating her in 13th place.

Final Table Results – Event #45: $2,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better / Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better 

"Kool Shen" Shines in Seniors Event

The $1,000 Seniors Championship (Event #46) confirmed its status as one of the summer's favorite events, amassing 7,538 entries.

Flight 1b attracted 3,999 entries, surpassing the opening flight. Topping the 898 survivors is Andrew Rosen, but it's French rapper Bruno "Kool Shen" Lopes who captured attention with the 13th largest stack of the day.

Day 2a also unfolded, advancing 105 players led by Adam Agaev. John Wasnock, who finished second in last year's Main Event, ensured his progress as well.

Despite its popularity, the Seniors tournaments weren't free of controversy. Pro Jared Bleznick faced fan backlash for his livestream studio comments, expressing dissatisfaction about camera shifts from the $250K High Roller to covering the Seniors High Roller. 

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X