WSOP Day 40: Obrestad Returns to the Main Event After Eight Years

The Strongest Day Yet in the Main Event

The third starting flight of the world’s most prestigious tournament coincided with the celebration of the USA's 250th Independence Day. Another 1,573 players registered for the $10K Main Event, nearly matching the attendance of the previous two flights. The total number of entries after three flights rose to 3,383, with the prize pool now exceeding $31 million.

The ceremonial start of the day, “Shuffle Up and Deal”, was led by Jamie Gold. The 2006 champion ended the day with 63,300, just above the starting stack of 60,000.

The dominant chipleader of Day 1c was Bulgaria's Yulian Bogdanov, who amassed a massive stack of 315,000. Also grabbing attention was the highly anticipated return of the legendary Annette Obrestad, who made her comeback to the WSOP tables in Las Vegas after an eight-year hiatus, wrapping up the day with 44,200.

The tournament wasn't without its dramas and early exits. Former world champions Martin Jacobson and Qui Nguyen were among those who had to say goodbye to their title hopes in quick succession.

One of the summer's cruelest moments was the elimination of Aylar Lie, who hit a full house with A h K d on a board of A s Q c 4 s A d 4 h, only to discover her opponent Renan Revinthis held quads with 4 d 4 c.

In total, 1,166 players continue, including notable names like Chino Rheem (171,300), Brian Hastings (178,100), Brian Rast (119,100), and Josh Arieh (85,000).

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

Moncek Just Misses the Top

Event #81: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Summer Celebration culminated in a triumph for American Toby Price, who outlasted a field of 6,803 entries. Price captured his first gold bracelet and a $500,000 reward from a prize pool of $4,762,100.

In the final heads-up, Price faced Germany's Deniz Öney. The decisive moment came in a clash of A-9 versus K-7, leaving the German with less than one big blind and Price secured his victory in the next hand.

Stellar performance was also shown by Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek, who battled up to 3rd place, improving his best finish in the 2026 WSOP.

Final Table Results of Event #81: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Summer Celebration

Gregory Merson Eyes Third Bracelet

The affordable Event #85: $1K NLH attracted 1,732 entries on the opening day, creating a prize pool of $1,524,160. After 22 levels, only 53 players advanced to the final day. All remaining players are guaranteed at least $4,680, with a gold bracelet and $219,391 waiting for the winner.

Chinese player Zixuan Liu claimed the chipleader position, surpassing two million in chips. Former 2012 world champion Gregory Merson sits in 7th place, well-positioned to chase his third career bracelet.

The only other bracelet holder in the field is Slovakia’s Lukáš Pažma, who is currently in the middle of the pack.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #85: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em

Justin Fawcett Claims Second Bracelet

One of this year's most entertaining formats found its winner in American Justin Fawcett. In the unique Event #83: $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot PLO, Fawcett outlasted 1,673 entries to earn his second gold bracelet and a prize of $322,564.

Returning for the final day were 19 title contenders, including stars like Jesse Lonis and Antoine Labat. Fawcett showcased patience, and despite an initial disadvantage in the heads-up against Abdul Amer, he made a remarkable comeback.

In the last hand, Amer went all-in with A-A-Q-6, but Fawcett secured the win on both boards with J-7-3-2. Celebrating his second consecutive bracelet, Fawcett nearly matched his record win from last year's 600$ Ultra Stack triumph.

Final Table Results of Event #83: $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot Pot-Limit Omaha

Myles Mullaly's Comeback in Heads-Up

The fast-paced and action-packed format of Event #84: $5K Super Turbo Bounty concluded with American Myles Mullaly staging one of the most remarkable turnarounds of the series.

Mullaly entered the final heads-up against two-time bracelet winner Pete Chen with a massive deficit, holding just 8.5 million chips to Chen's 51 million. But fate dealt a different hand.

In just the second hand of heads-up, Mullaly found himself in an all-in with J-7 against Chen's A-7, with a nine on the river completing a gutshot straight. Mullaly later admitted to an incredible “run” throughout the event, surviving at least 20 all-ins on the first day alone.

In the final hand, his pair of nines held up against Chen's A-8, as the board gave him a full house. Triumphing over a field of 1,213 entries, Mullaly claimed his first bracelet and $593,601.

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

Adriaan Jacobs’ Birthday Dream

Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship became one of the summer's largest tournaments, with 5,177 entries. Today, it crowned a champion in the young South African Adriaan Jacobs.

The story reads like a fairytale. Jacobs' trip to Las Vegas was a gift from his father, Barend, for his 21st birthday, celebrated just two weeks before the tournament. He became just the fourth player from South Africa to capture a gold bracelet on WSOP soil.

The path to the title and a $282,817 prize wasn't just about luck. Jacobs credited strict discipline and revealed that 5-minute meditations and breathing exercises during every break helped him maintain focus through the grueling four days.

In the final three, he knocked out Seong Han when his aces dominated Han's A-K. In heads-up, Jacobs defeated Paul Merlette, landing a flush with J h T h on the board, decisively breaking his opponent's resistance.

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

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X