WSOP Day 39: Champion Mizrachi Enters Main Event, Moshe Claims Fifth Bracelet

Mizrachi Starts Like Last Year in Day 1b

The WSOP Main Event, the most anticipated tournament of the year, continued with its second opening flight, Day 1b, which attracted 1,038 players. The total number of entries has now hit 1,810, with thousands more expected in the coming days. From Day 1b, 760 players advanced.

All eyes were on reigning world champion Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who openly declared his goal to win the title back-to-back. Mizrachi had an action-packed day.

He made a grand entrance just like Phil Hellmuth on day one, but without the costume flair. During the first break, he ceremoniously received his ninth gold bracelet (which he won at WSOP 2026 in the $10K PLO) from his father and Jack Effel. Towards the day's end, he took his seat at the TV table, showcasing his typical aggressive style that secured his advancement to Day 2.

Brazilian Osmar Rockenbach claimed the chipleader position in Day 1b. Other notable names advancing included Greg Raymer, Joao Simao, and Mike Matusow.

One of the day's most brutal moments was delivered by Konstantin Held. Oscar Dorantes with 9 s 9 h hit a full house on the flop, seemingly securing victory against Held's pair of Q s Q d. However, the board of 4 c 9 c 4 h 4 d 4 s formed quads for both players, with the victory determined by a higher kicker. Dorantes exited the tournament just when he expected a massive double-up.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1b – Event #82: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event

Fifth Bracelet for Asi Moshe

An incredible poker story unfolded in Event #79: $3K NLH Freezeout, where Israeli player Asi Moshe marked a sensational victory. A year after deciding to end his professional career and taking a job at a mobile gaming company, he returned to Las Vegas as a recreational player, only to play a few events. This resulted in his fifth gold bracelet and a reward of $683,830.

Moshe dominated a field of 1,792 players, maintaining the chiplead throughout the tournament. In the final day, with the last 14 players, he confidently pursued the title. Entering heads-up with a massive lead, he effortlessly defeated China's Qiao Du, as his final hand A h K d held against his opponent's Q h T h.

Final Table Results of Event #79: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em

Jesse Lonis in Great Position Before the Final

The intense format of the $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO (Event #83) continued into its second day. Organizers initially aimed to play down to the last five players, but the massive field of 1,673 entries had other plans. Play halted after ten levels, with 19 hopefuls remaining to compete for the $322,564 prize from the total prizepool of $2,220,907.

Paul Fehlig held on to his chipleader position for the second consecutive day, bagging an impressive 5.8 million chips. However, it's Jesse Lonis, currently in 4th place, who draws attention, claiming to thoroughly enjoy this format and aiming for his third bracelet.

One of the day's astonishing moments came from Christopher Amaral, who remarkably pulled off a straight on both boards with A-A-J-T, securing his spot in the Top 10.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 2 – Event #83: $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO

Dzmitry Urbanovich's Decade-Long Wait Pays Off

In Event #80: $10K 8-Game Mixed, Polish professional Dzmitry Urbanovich celebrated a long-awaited victory. Once considered a poker prodigy, he turned a decade of effort into a premiere gold bracelet and a $431,260 prize.

Urbanovich faced off against the biggest names in poker in the 199-entry event, entering the final day in sixth place.

His road to the title was challenging. Urbanovich dropped to shortstack during the final five but made a strong comeback with two crucial double-ups through Alex Foxen, ultimately eliminating him in 5th place.

Brian Rast, competing for what would have been his eighth bracelet, finished 4th. Urbanovich met Richard Bai in heads-up, sealing his triumph in PLO. His victory had the Polish rail ecstatic, celebrating by throwing Urbanovich into the air.

Final Table Results of Event #80: $10,000 8-Game Mixed Championship

Pete Chen Leads Turbo Madness

The dynamic and fast-paced $5K Super Turbo Bounty event attracted a total of 1,213 entries, creating a prizepool of $5,579,800. Originally planned as a single-day event, it extended into another day, with eight finalists left by the end of play. These players are guaranteed at least $62,699, while the winner will take home $532,495 and accumulated bounty prizes along with the bracelet.

Taiwanese pro Pete Chen emerged as the dominant chipleader and is the only WSOP champion at the table. Close to the final table, Japan's Naoya Kihara exited in 10th place, wrapping up another successful summer chapter.

The tournament attracted numerous global stars, with names like Greg Merson, Santhosh Suvarna, John Juanda, Martin Kabrhel, and Kristen Foxen cashing in. Kristen notably managed to form one of poker's rarest hands – a Straight Flush, though it could not secure her more than a 90th place finish.

Final Table Composition of Event #84: $5,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em

Adriaan Jacobs Leads Final Five in Deepstack

The third day of Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship began with 50 players from an original field of 5,177 entries. By day's end, only five contenders remained for the title. Each is guaranteed at least $78,876, eyeing the top prize of $282,817.

South African Adriaan Jacobs is the commanding chipleader, having navigated the day among the top and furthered his lead by doubling up through the dangerous Lisa Tan with a full house.

Tan, who recently finished seventh in the Ladies Event, made another deep run but was ousted just before the final on 6th.

Final Table Composition of Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship No-Limit Hold'em

Summer Fest with Nearly $5 Million Prizepool

Event #81: $800 Summer Celebration proved that affordable tournaments are a big hit this year in Las Vegas. After both starting flights (1a and 1b) were completed, the total registration count soared to an impressive 6,803 entries, creating a massive prizepool of $4,762,100. The second starting flight, 1b, was notably stronger, generating no less than 4,219 registrations on its own.

A total of 341 players advanced to the combined second day. Kamran Jamal from the USA claimed the chipleader position from Day 1b (stack 2,200,000), but it was Georgian Nino Papava from the initial flight 1a who topped them all with 3,095,000.

The battle for the gold bracelet and dreamy rewards continues for many high-profile names in the world of poker. Seven-time champion Josh Arieh, who secured his twelfth cash in the current series with his advancement in Day 1a, is particularly notable. Other dangerous players advancing from Day 1b include Michael Moncek, Allan Le, Bryan Schultz, and Jason James.

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X