Benny Glaser delivered one of the standout performances of the 2026 World Series of Poker, capturing the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship for $1,343,764 and his ninth career WSOP bracelet. The win ties the British mixed-game specialist with the late Johnny Moss on the all-time list and cements his reputation as one of the finest all-around players in the world. The Poker Players Championship is widely regarded as the toughest test of skill at the series, rotating through eight different disciplines.
Quick answer: Benny Glaser won the 2026 WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship, earning $1,343,764 and his ninth WSOP bracelet. He defeated a star-studded final table that included Josh Arieh, who took second for $895,837, and Phil Ivey, who finished third for $600,698.
A Final Table Stacked With Legends
The final table read like a hall-of-fame ballot. Glaser had to navigate past Josh Arieh, a multiple-time bracelet winner and Player of the Year contender, who banked $895,837 for runner-up. Poker icon Phil Ivey, chasing his long-awaited twelfth bracelet, settled for third and $600,698. Outlasting that caliber of opposition across an eight-game mix is a feat few players in history could manage.
The $50,000 Poker Players Championship rotates through limit and no-limit formats, requiring mastery of Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Stud, Razz, 2-7 Triple Draw and more. There is nowhere to hide. Players who lean on a single discipline get exposed quickly, which is why the title carries so much prestige among professionals.
Who Is Benny Glaser?
Glaser first burst onto the scene in 2016 with back-to-back Omaha Hi-Lo bracelets and has steadily built one of the most decorated mixed-game résumés in the modern era. His strength lies in split-pot and draw games, where precise range construction and disciplined fundamentals separate winners from the field. For players studying his path, the lesson is clear: depth across formats compounds over a long career.
Reaching nine bracelets places Glaser in rarefied company. The all-time leaderboard is dominated by names like Phil Hellmuth, and tying Johnny Moss — a three-time Main Event champion and one of the game's founding figures — is a milestone that resonates deeply within the poker community.
Why the Poker Players Championship Matters
Unlike the Main Event, which attracts thousands of recreational entrants, the Poker Players Championship draws a small, elite field of professionals willing to put up $50,000. The trophy, named after the late Chip Reese, is considered by many pros to be more meaningful than the Main Event bracelet because it rewards complete, well-rounded skill rather than a single-game specialty.
- Format: Eight-game mix rotating each orbit
- Buy-in: $50,000
- Prestige: Often called the "players' championship" for good reason
- Champion's prize: $1,343,764 and the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy
For aspiring grinders, mixed games reinforce core habits that pay off everywhere, including patience, bankroll management, and the discipline to fold marginal holdings. If you want to broaden your own range of formats, our beginner poker guide is a strong starting point before tackling the harder variants.
The 2026 WSOP Big Picture
Glaser's victory came as the series barreled toward its marquee event. As of late June, more than two-thirds of the summer's 100 bracelets had already been awarded, setting the stage for the $10,000 Main Event, which begins its opening flights in early July. The 2026 series has produced record-breaking fields and multiple double-bracelet winners, underscoring poker's continued post-pandemic boom.
The depth of talent at this year's final tables has been remarkable. Finnish star Eelis Parssinen claimed his third bracelet in an all-Finnish heads-up battle, while veterans and rising online qualifiers alike have made deep runs. You can follow more strategy breakdowns of these events through our library of poker training videos.
The Rise of Mixed-Game Poker
Glaser's success reflects a broader resurgence of interest in mixed games. For years, no-limit Hold'em dominated the poker landscape, but a growing number of serious players have embraced the variety and strategic depth of rotation formats. Games like Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, and 2-7 Triple Draw reward patience and precision in ways that fast-paced Hold'em sometimes does not.
This revival matters for the health of the game. Mixed games attract dedicated students who treat poker as a lifelong craft rather than a quick gamble. Major series now feature deeper mixed-game schedules than ever, and online platforms have expanded their offerings to meet demand. Players looking to follow that path often begin by mastering one variant at a time, building a foundation before tackling the full eight-game rotation. The best online poker sites increasingly spread these formats, giving newcomers a place to practice. Studying how champions like Glaser approach each discipline is one of the fastest ways to improve, and our poker training videos cover many of these formats in detail.
Lessons From a Mixed-Game Master
What can everyday players take from Glaser's win? First, versatility is an edge. Players who only know one game leave money on the table in any mixed environment. Second, emotional control matters as much as technical skill across a grueling multi-day event — a theme we explore in our guide to the poker mental game. Third, fundamentals never go out of style. Glaser rarely makes flashy plays; he wins by making fewer mistakes than his opponents over thousands of hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Benny Glaser win in the 2026 Poker Players Championship?
Glaser earned $1,343,764 for first place, along with the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy and his ninth career WSOP bracelet.
How many WSOP bracelets does Benny Glaser have now?
The win gives Glaser nine WSOP bracelets, tying him with poker legend Johnny Moss on the all-time list.
Who else made the final table?
Josh Arieh finished second for $895,837 and Phil Ivey placed third for $600,698, headlining a final table full of accomplished professionals.
What is the Poker Players Championship?
It is a $50,000 buy-in eight-game mixed event widely considered the toughest test of all-around skill at the World Series of Poker.
Conclusion
Benny Glaser's ninth bracelet is a milestone for one of poker's most underrated greats and a reminder that mastery across formats remains the ultimate measure of skill. As the 2026 WSOP heads into its Main Event climax, the storylines keep coming. Want to sharpen your own game across every discipline? Explore our beginner poker guide and start building the well-rounded skill set that champions like Glaser rely on.
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