2026 WSOP Updates: 19 Gold Bracelets Awarded, Exciting Action Continues

The 2026 World Series of Poker WSOP is in full swing at the Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe casinos, with 19 gold bracelets awarded through Day 14. This article summarizes recent champions and highlights of upcoming events, including impressive performances from new and familiar faces like Naseem Salem and Honghao Zhang.
The 57th World Series of Poker (WSOP) is heating up at the Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas, with 19 gold bracelets awarded as of June 8. Whether you're gearing up to play or watching final table streams, here's a recap of recent action.
Recent Results Highlights
Event #11: $10,000 GGMillion$ High Roller
- Champion: Naseem Salem (San Diego, California, USA)
- Prize: $1,089,964
- After finishing runner-up in the 2024 WSOP Poker Hall of Fame Bounty event, Salem finally achieved his dream, winning his first gold bracelet.
Event #13: $1,500 Six-Handed No-Limit Hold'em
- Champion: Honghao Zhang (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
- Prize: $346,108
- Doctoral student Zhang cashed for the first time at the WSOP and took down the title in a stunning debut.
Event #14: $1,500 Mixed Game (Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8+, Omaha Hi-Lo 8+, Big O)
- Champion: Justin Liberto (Baltimore, Maryland, USA)
- Prize: $265,297
- Eleven years after his first gold bracelet, Liberto returned to the winner's circle after seven final tables.
Event #15: $600 Deep Stack Pot-Limit Omaha
- Champion: Philip Ardire (Kingsport, Tennessee, USA)
- Prize: $171,589
- A last-minute decision by cigar enthusiast Ardire turned into a two-day battle and his first WSOP victory.
Event #16: $1,700 WSOP Circuit National Championship
- Champion: Antonio Vargas (Commerce City, Colorado, USA)
- Prize: $439,605
- Under the guidance of poker coach Faraz Jaka, Vargas emerged from a field of 2,148 to claim the biggest title in WSOP Circuit history.
Event #17: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship
- Champion: Naoya Kihara (Tokyo, Japan)
- Prize: $428,923
- Twelve years after becoming the first Japanese player to win a WSOP gold bracelet, Kihara came back from a single chip to capture his second.
Event #20: $1,500 Dealer's Choice
- Champion: Jeff Madsen (Santa Monica, California, USA)
- Prize: $161,057
- Twenty years after winning his first bracelet at age 21, Madsen now holds five gold bracelets.
Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8+ Championship
- Champion: Frederic Normand (Quebec, Canada)
- Prize: $235,377
- Trying the format for the first time, Normand may have found a new specialty, winning his first gold bracelet.

Upcoming Schedule
June 9: Event #31 - $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em
- One-day format, from low-stakes player to gold bracelet winner in just one day. Media note: With the fast pace, seize opportunities to film notable players.
June 10: Event #34 - $500 COLOSSUS
- The annual low-stakes favorite, expected to draw a massive field. Media note: Expect heavy foot traffic in the corridors of Paris and Horseshoe—plan ahead.
June 10: Event #36 - $100,000 High Roller
- One of the highest buy-in events of the summer, attracting top-tier talent. Media note: A prime opportunity to shoot the world's elite poker players.
How to Follow WSOP 2026
Poker fans can watch daily broadcasts on ESPN or via the WSOP YouTube channel. Additionally, download the WSOP Live App for real-time chip counts, updates, and the ability to register for WSOP events at Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas. Follow WSOP on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, or visit WSOP.com for more news and updates.
FAQ
- As of June 8, 2026, the 57th WSOP has awarded a total of 19 gold bracelets.