Evan Sandberg Wins Arizona State Poker Championship with Record $627,050 Prize

Evan Sandberg won the 2026 Arizona State Poker Championship with a prize of $627,050. The tournament, held at Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona, had 4,018 entries, the largest in its history. Sandberg is a two-time World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet winner, and this victory marks the biggest live tournament result of his career. His total recorded earnings now exceed $3.4 million.

Sandberg's victory included battling fellow bracelet winners Ronnie Bardah and John Riordan at the final table. The tournament was a significant milestone for Sandberg, earning him 1,320 Card Player Player of the Year points, which elevated him into the top 125 in the yearlong race presented by CoinPoker.

The path to his latest victory was challenging, with Sandberg facing off against some of the top players in the game. Despite the monumental field size and the presence of other high-profile players, Sandberg's skill and experience ultimately led him to the top prize. This marquee victory joins Sandberg’s bracelet wins and his back-to-back WSOP Circuit main event titles in 2024 and 2025 among his career highlights.