Jeff Madsen returns to victory at the World Series of Poker

(PRESS RELEASE) -- The 2026 World Series of Poker marches on at the Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe in Las Vegas, Nevada, with a total of 19 WSOP bracelets having been awarded thus far. Whether it be high stakes, low stakes, No-Limit Hold’em, or Pot-Limit Omaha, get caught up on all of the maiden and repeat champions declared at the 2026 WSOP.

I. RECENT RESULTS & HIGHLIGHTS

Event #11: $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller No-Limit Hold'em
Winner: Naseem Salem (San Diego, CA, USA)

Prize: $1,089,964

Key Storyline: After falling just short of his first bracelet with a second-place finish in the WSOP Hall of Fame Bounty event in 2024, Naseem Salem finally goes the distance to win the GGMillion$.

Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Winner: Honghao Zhang (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)

Prize: $346,108

Key Storyline: Making his first WSOP cash in style, PhD student Honghao Zhang takes down the $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em tournament to make a huge debut at the WSOP.

Event #14: $1,500 Mixed: Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, "Big O"
Winner: Justin Liberto (Baltimore, MD, USA)

Prize: $265,297

Key Storyline: 11 years removed from his first WSOP bracelet victory, Justin Liberto finally returns to the top of the podium, after reaching seven final tables during the 11-year drought.

Event #15: $600 Deepstack Pot-Limit Omaha
Winner: Philip Ardire (Kingsport, TN, USA)

Prize: $171,589

Key Storyline: Spontaneously deciding to enter the $600 Deepstack Pot-Limit Omaha while in Las Vegas, after two days of action, cigar fan Philip Ardire is now one of our latest WSOP champions.

Event #16: $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship No-Limit Holdem
Winner: Antonio Vargas (Commerce City, CO, USA)

Prize: $439,605

Key Storyline: Under the tutelage of poker coach and pro Faraz Jaka, Antonio Vargas overcame a field of 2,148 entrants to win the biggest title attributed to the WSOP Circuit.

Event #17: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship
Winner: Naoya Kihara (Japan)

Prize: $428,923

Key Storyline: 12 years removed from becoming the first-ever Japanese poker player to win a WSOP bracelet, Tokyo, Japan’s Naoya Kihara battled back from having just one chip to win his second gold bracelet.

Event #20: $1,500 Dealer's Choice
Winner: Jeff Madsen (Santa Monica, CA, USA)

Prize: $161,057

Key Storyline: 20 years after winning his first WSOP bracelet at just 21 years old, poker tournament veteran Jeff Madsen now has five WSOP bracelets to his name after winning the $1,500 Dealer's Choice.

Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Winner: Frederic Normand (Quebec, QC, Canada)

Prize: $235,377

Key Storyline: Taking up a format not usually on his play schedule, Canadian poker player Frederic Normand may have discovered a new specialty after winning the $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better tournament for his first bracelet.

II. UPCOMING SCHEDULE & KEY EVENTS

June 9, 2026: Event #31 - $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em
Significance: There’s nothing better than starting the day as a low-stakes grinder and ending it as a WSOP bracelet winner. The $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em is scheduled to take place over the course of one day, setting the perfect environment for exciting action.

Media Note: With the fast pace of this tournament, if you see a notable player in the field, be sure to snap a picture before they get eliminated.

June 10, 2026: Event #34 - $500 COLOSSUS
Significance: A yearly favorite amongst low-stakes WSOP players known for massive fields.

Media Note: The Colossus will be sure to draw a lot of entrants, so plan accordingly when navigating the hallways of the Paris and Horseshoe

June 10, 2026: Event #36 - $100,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold’em
Significance: One of the highest stakes tournaments of the summer, sure to boast a talented field.