WSOP Day 37: Negreanu Reaches $100K PLO Final, Close to Eighth Bracelet

Negreanu Eyes Erasing Past Losses

The second day of the priciest Omaha event ($100K High Roller) delivered the expected late registration frenzy. The initial field of 50 entries nearly doubled within the first two levels of Day 2, reaching a final count of 83 entries. A massive $7,968,000 prizepool will be shared among the top 13 players, with $2,257,718 set aside for the winner.

The unfortunate bubble boy was triple bracelet winner Naoya Kihara, whose flopped two pair fell short against Martirosian's rivered trips nines.

Today's five-handed finale will see Austrian Chris Frank in the lead, but all eyes are on Daniel Negreanu, sitting in second place.

“KidPoker”, who held the chipleader position multiple times throughout the day, is within reach of his eighth gold bracelet and can potentially erase his half-million-dollar loss from this year's series. Dangerous contender Artur Martirosian, who began the day as a clear chipleader, will enter the final with the shortest stack.

Final Table Lineup of Event #76: $100,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha

Kihara Could Top PoY Standings

The third annual Event #80: $10K 8-Game Mixed Championship kicked off with 156 players, with late registration open through the first level of Day 2.

Filled with the biggest names in poker, the tournament is led by Canadian Clayton Mozdzen after Day 1. Fresh bracelet winner Taylor Atchison, who just won the $1,500 Stud Hi-Lo, also had a strong start, placing third.

Naoya Kihara, who compellingly rebounded after bubbling the $100K PLO, is in the top 10 and well-positioned to chase his third bracelet of the summer and first-place standing in the WSOP Player of the Year rankings.

Legendary players like Brian Rast and Todd Brunson remain in the bracelet hunt, while big names like Shaun Deeb, Michael Mizrachi, Josh Arieh, and Gus Hansen have been eliminated.

Top 10 Stacks after Day 1 – Event #80: $10,000 8-Game Mixed Championship

Danny Tang Leads Final 18

The second day of Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball whittled down 151 survivors to the last 18 players, all vying for the bracelet and a $223,177 payout. On top of the leaderboard is high roller specialist Danny Tang.

The lineup is strong, with five-time bracelet winner Eli Elezra in third, and Dylan Smith chasing his second bracelet of the summer after his victory in $2,500 Mixed Big Bet.

However, the final remains out of reach for actor James Woods and fresh nine-time champion Michael Mizrachi.

Top 10 Stacks after Day 2 – Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball

Final Nine Battle for Million in Mini Main Event

The players in Event #72: $1K Mini Main Event endured a grueling second day, with over 700 players eliminated in the first three hours. The field eventually whittled down to the last nine finalists. Each has already secured a minimum reward of $100,000, but the grand prize is $1,000,000 and a gold bracelet.

American chipleader Amin Mostafavi will enter the final with a commanding position. Mostafavi made a remarkable comeback from just six big blinds to dominate the day's final moments. Challenging him are experienced contenders like WSOPC ring holder Jaime Haletky and Japanese player Daisuke Ogita, making his second final table appearance at the WSOP.

Legends such as Men Nguyen and two-time champion Michael Moncek were among those who departed during the day, with no bracelet winner reaching the final table.

Final Table Lineup of Event #72: $1,000 Mini Main Event

Markus Gonsalves Crowned 6-Max King

Four tough days of battles in Event #73: $5K 6-Handed NLH culminated in a win for American Markus Gonsalves. Cash game specialist Gonsalves turned his participation into his first gold bracelet and a career-best payday of $979,655.

His path to victory in a field of 1,402 entries was mostly clear, as Gonsalves maintained a notable lead and took out several opponents. He did face critical moments, nearly exiting in the final three. Yet, luck was on his side when it mattered most.

In the heads-up battle against Ma, he entered with a nearly 4:1 lead, but the stacks evened out, and Ma briefly took the lead. Ultimately, Gonsalves secured a crucial double-up, defeating K-K with A-9, and held onto the substantial lead to clinch the title.

Gonsalves celebrates his first bracelet after 21 years of poker but plans to continue focusing on cash games.

Final Table Results of Event #73: $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em

Matt Grapenthien Back on Top After 12 Years

The prestigious $10K Stud Hi-Lo Championship (Event #75) crowned its winner, Matt Grapenthien, who topped a field of 190 players, securing $415,648. This marked Grapenthien's second career bracelet, following his triumph in the $10K Stud Championship in 2014, exactly 12 years ago.

The final day showcased his not only his experience but incredible luck; Grapenthien hit quads twice during the day, and his four deuces in the heads-up against Jack Germaine clinched him a decisive lead.

After the victory, he jokingly remarked that he wouldn't be able to complain about bad luck for a while. Other contenders like Maxx Coleman (3rd place) and popular vlogger Caitlin Comeskey, who earned her first five-figure payout for 5th place, couldn't overcome him.

Final Table Results of Event #75: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

Massive Field and Kabrhel's Multi-tabling Feat

One of the most affordable tournaments of the summer, Event #78: Deepstack Championship NLH attracted a huge crowd to Horseshoe and Paris, peaking at 5,177 entries and creating a prizepool of $2,609,208, with $282,817 reserved for the winner.

After 17 challenging levels on Day 1, 556 players remain in the field. Leading the pack is American MD Bikas, although names like four-time bracelet winner Georgios Sotiropoulos and two-time WSOP winner Bryan Piccioli are also in the top tier.

However, the main spotlight was on Czech pro Martin Kabrhel, who pulled off a rare WSOP feat by playing two bracelet events simultaneously in separate rooms. Kabrhel literally ran between tables in Event #78 and Event #79 ($3K Freezeout). He managed to advance to Day 2 of the Deepstack with a very respectable stack of 233,000 chips.

Top 10 Stacks after Day 1 – Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship No-Limit Hold'em

Asi Moshe Leads NLH Freezeout

Alongside the massive Deepstack, Event #79: $3K Freezeout also kicked off with 1,792 participants. The freezeout format allows no re-entry, bringing back a classic poker carefulness. Still, only 226 players made it to the next day. The total prizepool amounts to $4,784,640, with $683,830 awaiting the new champion.

Leading after the first day is Israeli four-time WSOP champion Asi Moshe. Veteran Chris Moorman also had a strong start, securing a spot in the top five.

Alex Foxen, currently second in the WSOP Player of the Year standings, also advanced to Day 2, aiming not only for his fifth bracelet but also crucial PoY points.

Top 10 Stacks after Day 1 – Event #79: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X