Negreanu Wins 8th WSOP Bracelet and $2.25M

Negreanu adds another chapter to his WSOP legacy

Daniel Negreanu is back on top of the poker world. The Canadian star won the $100,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha event at WSOP 2026, earning $2,257,718 and collecting his eighth WSOP bracelet.

For a player with Negreanu’s résumé, this is more than a headline result. It is a reminder that elite instinct, table presence, and experience still matter in one of the toughest formats in tournament poker. High Roller PLO is a battlefield where every decision is magnified, and the smallest mistake can cost a final-table run or a title.

The field was small in size but enormous in quality. When the game is Pot-Limit Omaha, the edge often goes to players who can navigate variance, stay composed under pressure, and build a plan street by street rather than hand by hand.

A brutal final table against world-class opposition

The event drew 83 entries and generated a $7,968,000 prize pool, creating a premium stage for the game’s best tournament specialists. Along the way, Negreanu had to get through players in strong form such as Jeremy Ausmus, Joao Simao, and Robert Cohen.

The toughest obstacle came in the endgame: Artur Martirosian. Few players are more uncomfortable to face in heads-up poker. Martirosian is known for relentless pressure, sharp strategic understanding, and the ability to make high-IQ decisions in expensive spots.

Negreanu still got it done. He leaned on experience, discipline, and adaptability to close out the match and secure one of the most meaningful wins of his recent career.

The top of the payout list looked like this:

• Daniel Negreanu — $2,257,718
• Artur Martirosian — $1,477,434
• Chris Frank — $1,002,107

The final table also featured Philip Sternheimer, Yosuke Miki, Sean Winter, Sergio Martinez Gonzalez, and Jeremy Ausmus, which underlines just how loaded this event was.

If you want to better understand how players prepare for these kinds of mixed-edge, high-pressure events, it helps to study at a poker school and compare formats across poker rooms. For players building volume, promotions & bonuses can also make a real difference in long-term bankroll management.

Full results from the $100K PLO High Roller

Here are the key payouts from the event:

• Daniel Negreanu — $2,257,718
• Artur Martirosian — $1,477,434
• Chris Frank — $1,002,107
• Philip Sternheimer — $705,448
• Yosuke Miki — $516,160
• Sean Winter — $393,139
• Sergio Martinez Gonzalez — $312,233
• Jeremy Ausmus — $259,047

Negreanu’s win also pushed his career earnings beyond $60 million, an impressive milestone that reflects both longevity and sustained excellence at the highest levels.

Daisuke Ogita wins the Mini Main Event

Another bracelet was awarded in a very different but equally important event. Japan’s Daisuke Ogita won the $1,000 Mini Main Event after surviving a massive field of 12,560 players.

That kind of turnout creates a marathon unlike almost anything else in poker. To come out on top, Ogita had to survive thousands of opponents, navigate huge swings, and stay mentally sharp over a long and punishing run.

His victory came with a $1,000,000 payday, and several French players also posted strong results:

• Matheo Manzone — 33rd for $33,250
• Jose Mariema — 117th for $8,000
• Romain Morvan — 142nd for $8,000
• David Fhima — 185th for $6,900
• Sébastien Grax — 208th for $6,900

Big-field events like this are often where bankroll discipline and volume matter most. Players who want to improve their chances in live and online series should pay attention to poker clubs, where structured competition and regular action can sharpen decision-making over time.

WSOP Main Event kicks off with a strong Day 1A

The festival’s crown jewel is now underway: the $10,000 Main Event World Championship. This is the tournament that defines WSOP season, draws global attention, and creates the stories people remember for years.

On Day 1A, the event attracted 772 players, with 543 advancing to Day 2 after a 12-hour session. Japan’s Ryuta Nakai ended the day as chip leader, bagging 323,000 chips. With a starting stack of 60,000, that is an excellent position heading into the next stage.

France also had a strong showing, with 18 players moving on. The biggest stacks among them were:

• David Rothschild — 208,200
• Thomas Cazayous — 202,200
• Jonathan Therme — 160,000
• Eric Sfez — 155,000
• Raphael Bilger — 127,900
• Arnaud Enselme — 99,900
• Jeremy Saderne — 68,100
• Karim Lehoussine — 59,300
• Sonny Franco — 43,000

At the lower end of the list, Julien Sitbon survived with just 15,600 chips. That is a very short stack, but the Main Event has a long way to go, and comeback stories are part of its DNA.

Not everyone advanced. Thomas Pinaud, Sami Bechahed, and Hugo Pingray were eliminated and will need another flight if they want to continue their run.

Expert take: why Negreanu’s win matters and what Main Event players can learn

Negreanu’s victory matters because it proves that experience still converts in elite PLO. Against a field packed with specialists, his ability to stay balanced and make the right adjustments was the difference-maker.

For players, there are several takeaways:

• In PLO, hand strength is fluid; one street can completely change the hand.
• Heads-up against top regulars demands patience and range awareness, not just aggression.
• In the Main Event, survival often matters more than heroics on Day 1.
• Building skills through poker school and gaining volume in poker rooms or poker clubs can make a major difference in live-series prep.

From an industry standpoint, the start of the Main Event is always a major signal. It drives attention, content, and momentum across the poker ecosystem. It also reminds players that long-term success is often supported by smart game selection and value offers such as promotions & bonuses.

Day 39 takeaway from WSOP 2026

WSOP 2026 delivered a classic day: a legendary player added to his legacy, a massive field crowned a new champion, and the Main Event began its long march toward the final table.

Negreanu now has eight bracelets and more than $60 million in live earnings. Ogita has a million-dollar victory from a huge field. And the Main Event is only just getting started. If the opening day is any indication, there will be plenty more drama ahead.

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