Christopher Alcindor Wins WSOP Big O Bracelet in Las Vegas

Christopher Alcindor captures the WSOP Big O title

The 2026 World Series of Poker delivered another standout mixed-game result at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where the $1,500 Big O event drew a huge 2,150-entry field. The five-card pot-limit Omaha eight-or-better format produced a $2,802,785 prize pool and one of the summer’s most technically demanding bracelet battles.

When the dust settled, it was Christopher Alcindor of Montreal, Canada, who claimed the final pot and earned his first WSOP gold bracelet along with a career-high $387,110 payday. For an online poker regular, that kind of breakthrough matters far beyond the money: it instantly changes how the player is viewed in the mixed-games community.

Before this win, Alcindor’s best recorded score was $42,625, which came with a WSOP International Circuit Calgary monster stack victory in 2024. That means this result was more than nine times larger than anything he had previously posted in a live event.

Big O continues to grow as a WSOP bracelet event

Big O was added as a standalone bracelet event in 2023, and the numbers since then show why it has become such an attractive stop for specialists. The inaugural edition drew 1,458 entries, with Scott Abrams taking the title. Three years later, Abrams was back in the mix and nearly repeated the feat, finishing third for $187,150.

• five-card hand selection;
• pot-limit bet sizing;
• hi/lo split-pot strategy;
• multiway postflop situations where redraws matter constantly.

If you are trying to build a serious edge in these games, studying the format in a poker school and getting hands-on volume in poker rooms can make a real difference. Big O is not a game where generic Hold’em instincts carry you very far.

Final-table storylines and notable cashes

The final table featured a mix of bracelet winners and accomplished mixed-game regulars. Alongside Alcindor and Abrams, the lineup included Anthony Reategui, who finished seventh for $57,150, and two-time WSOP champion Tom Koral, who placed sixth for $75,600.

• Philip Hui (96th)
• Ari Engel (94th)
• Bryce Yockey (75th)
• Ben Yu (68th)
• Brett Shaffer (64th)
• Luis Velador (62nd)
• Sean Troha (49th)
• Viktor Blom (40th)
• Dario Sammartino (35th)
• Bruno Furth (17th)
• Mark Gregorich (14th)
• Shawn Rice (11th)

The depth of the field shows why Big O has become such a respected title. In a game with more variance than Hold’em and far more decision complexity than many players are used to, simply reaching the final stages already requires elite discipline.

How Alcindor closed it out with three straight eliminations

Alcindor’s path to the bracelet was powered by the final three knockouts. He first sent Dimitrios Melissourgos home in fourth place for $136,820 after making tens full of aces.

That hand was important because it gave Alcindor both a major chip boost and a psychological edge. In split-pot formats, stacking someone with a big made hand can swing not only the scoreboard but the entire pace of the final table.

Next, Alcindor eliminated Scott Abrams after making kings up and holding the only qualifying low to scoop the pot. Knocking out a player with Abrams’ résumé is no small achievement, especially in a format where one or two hands can completely change the match dynamics.

Heads-up against James Roullier, Alcindor already had the leverage. The final hand went in on a J♠ J♥ 9♥ flop with Alcindor holding J♣ 8♦ 7♦ 5♠ 4♦ for trips. Roullier showed A♥ Q♣ 10♦ 7♣ 2♥. The 3♠ turn and 9♠ river changed nothing, and Roullier finished second for $258,690.

Expert analysis: why this Big O win matters

Alcindor’s victory is a strong reminder that Big O is one of the purest skill tests in the WSOP schedule. The format asks players to balance high-hand value, low-hand qualification, redraws, and pot-control decisions in a structure where equities can shift dramatically street by street.

From a strategic standpoint, the biggest takeaway is that hand reading and nut awareness matter more than ego-driven aggression. In Big O, speculative holdings can look tempting, but without the right low potential, blocker structure, or redraws, they can become expensive traps.

• study split-pot equities, not just high-hand equities;
• pay attention to board texture and low possibilities on every street;
• value position heavily in multiway pots;
• avoid overplaying non-nut holdings in large fields.

The broader industry takeaway is also clear: niche mixed games continue to create opportunities for informed players. While many recreational entrants focus on Hold’em, the players who expand into formats like Big O can find softer edges, especially when the field is large. That makes mixed-game preparation a smart long-term investment, whether you are grinding live events, using promotions & bonuses, or building a broader tournament schedule.

Final thoughts on the WSOP Big O result

Christopher Alcindor turned a massive field into a career-defining score and a first WSOP bracelet. Beating 2,150 entries in a format as technical as Big O is never accidental; it usually reflects a strong mix of patience, discipline, and split-pot expertise.

For Alcindor, this win could be the start of a bigger live tournament run. For everyone else, it is another reminder that at the WSOP, the most valuable edge is often the one most players ignore: deep preparation in the games that others are least willing to study.

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