Sergio Benso Wins First WSOP Pick Your PLO Title

Sergio Benso makes history in the first WSOP Pick Your PLO

The inaugural $1,500 Pick Your PLO event at the World Series of Poker instantly stood out as one of the series’ most creative new formats. Built from a dealer’s-choice idea but narrowed exclusively to pot-limit Omaha variants, it gave players a rare chance to prove their adaptability across several Omaha structures instead of relying on a single familiar game.

The event drew 857 entries, generating a massive $1,137,667 prize pool. For a debut tournament, that’s a strong signal that Omaha remains a major draw at the WSOP. It also reflects a broader trend in live poker: players are increasingly interested in formats that reward postflop skill, hand-reading, and stack-depth awareness rather than pure preflop repetition.

What made the Pick Your PLO format different

• four-card PLO and five-card PLO;
• single-board and double-board versions;
• pot-limit Omaha eight-or-better;
• Big O.

That kind of structure creates a very different test from standard hold’em or even traditional PLO. Players had to adjust their starting-hand selection, board texture evaluation, and pot-control instincts depending on the variant in play. In other words, this was a true versatility contest.

For players looking to sharpen that kind of skill set, a structured poker school can be a major edge. And for anyone who wants to find the right environment to practice mixed games, the growth of poker rooms and live poker clubs continues to matter.

Final table battles and notable names in the money

• Mike Matusow, 30th;
• Eli Elezra, 28th;
• Jerry Wong, 24th;
• Scott Abrams, 21st;
• Andrew Ostapchenko, 18th;
• Hokyiu Lee, 14th.

Even before the final table, the field had a championship feel. That matters, because beating a strong Omaha lineup carries more weight than simply navigating a soft field. In high-variance formats like PLO, the quality of opposition often says as much about a win as the payout itself.

John Racener bowed out in 12th, while more decorated names continued to battle for the title. Jon Turner earned $24,931 for seventh place, and two-time bracelet winners Maxx Coleman and Justin Liberto finished fifth and fourth.

How Sergio Benso closed out the title

Benso’s run to the bracelet was built on timely aggression and a stack that let him pressure opponents at the right moments. He eliminated Justin Liberto, then sent Steven Liu to the rail in third place for $90,762 to enter heads-up play against Farhad Jamasi with the chip lead.

Jamasi finished second for $130,904, but Benso completed the job and secured $196,431 along with his first WSOP gold bracelet. For any player, a maiden bracelet is a career milestone. For a mixed-game specialist, it can be even more meaningful, because it confirms that the skill set transfers across formats.

This was also not a one-off deep run. Back in 2024, Benso reached a WSOP final table and finished fourth in a $600 no-limit hold’em and pot-limit Omaha mixed event for $75,518. His latest result pushes his career live tournament earnings beyond $905,000.

Expert analysis: why this win matters for the PLO landscape

Benso’s victory is important for more than one reason. It highlights where live poker is heading and what players should prioritize if they want to stay competitive.

• Versatility is becoming a premium skill. In mixed Omaha formats, the best players are the ones who can adjust fastest.
• Postflop edge matters more than ever. With changing board structures and multiple variants, equity realization becomes a huge factor.
• Big-stack pressure is decisive. Benso didn’t just survive; he used his stack to apply leverage at critical points.
• WSOP innovation expands the game. New formats like this create fresh demand for education, travel, and event selection, whether through promotions & bonuses, online practice, or live events.

For serious players, the lesson is simple: if you want to compete in modern series, you need more than hold’em fundamentals. PLO knowledge, variant awareness, and stack-depth discipline are increasingly part of the standard toolkit.

Final thoughts on the inaugural WSOP Pick Your PLO

The first-ever Pick Your PLO event delivered everything a new WSOP format hopes to provide: a healthy field, a big prize pool, strong names deep in the money, and a worthy first champion.

Sergio Benso didn’t just win a bracelet event. He became the first player ever to claim this title, and that gives his victory lasting historical value. If WSOP continues to grow Omaha-based events, the appetite from both pros and recreational players should remain strong — especially among those searching for fresh competitive formats and a new edge via a poker agent.

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