WSOP 2026 Week #3: Historic Bracelets & Massive Pots

Another exciting week at Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas passed. During the last seven days, the 57th edition of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) showed how amateur players win at tables full of elite sharks and how Alan Keating and Martin Karbhel played the massive $2.8M pot. We also won’t miss discussing another bracelet of Nick Schulman, added to his record. Dive into our Week 3 recap below!

Santhosh Suvarna Continues Controlling High-Roller Tables

Ranked as #1 in India's All-Time Money List, Santhosh Suvarna expanded his collection with the third WSOP bracelet. He outplayed 167 entries at the $50K High Roller NLH and got the $1,92M cash prize in addition to the main reward.

What makes this victory even more exciting? Santosh is the first among other Indian grinders to earn three bracelets at the WSOP live tourneys. And it seems that the guy plans to dominate the all-or-nothing battlefield, as he has only earned trophies in High Roller events.

This year, Suvarna showed how the unique blend of ultimate patience and reckless aggression changes everything. And since he walked away with a title, we can see that the approach is working. The Indian entrepreneur said he plans to conquer the Main Event scene next. Go right ahead, Santhosh!

Nick Schulman Enters His Prime with 8th WSOP Bracelet

Admitted to the Poker Hall of Fame in 2025, the pro player and commentator Nick Schulman lived up to the fans’ expectations. He grabbed the 8th gold bracelet in the $1,5K H.O.R.S.E. This is a truly special win that brought Nick the first trophy after entering the HoF. Nick stressed that he dedicates a lot of effort to the game, and this summer feels like the one when he “gets into his prime.” 

Starting the final table as the chip leader, Schulman quickly gave way to Jonathan Nebbout. The two later collided, and Nick regained control: he moved Joe Brindle to the 4th position, and Nebbout got to the third place. The fierce face-up duel with Clayton Mozdzen ended with Schulman’s victory.

It’s the fourth consecutive WSOP tournament where Schulman managed to add a bracelet to his record. So, Michael Mizrachi, Benny Glaser, Shaun Deeb, and Johnny Moss should step up their game a bit, as Nick Schulman moves up the ladder. Our applause is all for you, Nick!

Dong Chen Outplays Poker Legends for His 2nd Bracelet

Dong Chen showed a masterclass in the $10K Limit Hold’em Championship. A Chinese player managed to win a WSOP bracelet in his career against a table packed with the biggest poker legends. It was the second tournament of this type that Dong faced in his career. Neither the absence of vast experience nor the anticipation of the star-studded table lineup scared Dong.

Gus Hansen (who hasn’t been to WSOP finals since 2011), Jeremy Ausmus (six-time trophy owner), and Jesse Lonis (accumulated over $30M live earnings) were a few of the mixed-game wizards at the table that day. And Chen’s performance against them was a mind-blowing one. He kept raising and re-raising, busting the rivals one by one.

He was a chip leader before the start of the heads-up duel with Benny Glaser. That was a real miracle when Chen went all-in with A♠-4♠ and the turn revealed J♠-8♣-6♠-T♥.  Glaser’s two pairs with T♣ 8♠ almost secured him a win until the 5♠ on the river turned things upside down. Chen left with a $285K prize and his second golden trophy. Amazing!

Adrian Mateos Makes WSOP History with 6th Bracelet

The Spanish pro, Adrian Mateos, becomes the youngest grinder to hold six WSOP bracelets. Event #41: $250K Super High Roller was among the most expensive tourneys of this summer that captured the attention of elite names. Phil Ivey, Jason Koon, and Bryn Kenney were among the 56 participants Mateos wrote off as contenders for the main prize.

In the exciting heads-up with Bryn Kenney (currently 1st in the All-Time Money list), both went all-in on the pre-flop. Adrian revealed a legendary Ten-Deuce hand that brought remarkable victories to Doyle Brunson in due time. Well, just like the legendary “Texas Dolly”, the poker gods smiled on Mateos that day. Bravo, Adrian!

Week #3: WSOP Bracelet Winners in the Spotlight

Discover the prominent names who captured the gold trophy during the third week of WSOP 2026:

The World Series of Poker 2026 has almost reached the equator: 41 champions are already crowned. Keep your eyes locked on the action in Week 4, the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, and the highly anticipated $10K Mystery Bounty No-Limit Hold'em.​