World Series of Poker 2026 crowns first gold bracelet winner and tops 10,000 entries in opening event

American player Daniyal Gheba captured his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet at the 2026 WSOP. He won the $5,000 8‑handed No‑Limit Hold'em event held on the new Mothership stage in the Paris Ballroom, beating a field of 570 competitors and taking home $502,985. Gheba said the prize money will "change my life," and praised fellow high‑stakes professionals for helping him stay focused.

The WSOP’s opening $550 Mini Mystery Millions tournament also set a participation record, with more than 10,226 entries recorded across its first four flights. The multi‑day event narrowed to 178 players after 22 levels, with top chip leaders including Paul Interrante (U.S.) at 2.1 million chips and several other American players. The field featured entrants from the United States, Japan and other countries, highlighting the global draw of the series.