WSOP 2026: Bellande's Bracelet Dream Shattered, Weiss Triumphs in Limit Hold'em

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has seen its share of dramatic moments, with several high-profile players making significant strides. Jean-Robert Bellande, a seasoned poker veteran, found himself in a heartbreaking situation during a $3,000 no-limit hold’em event. Bellande was one of seven players to advance to the fourth and final day of action, holding the chip lead and aiming for his second career bracelet. However, a series of unlucky hands and bad beats ultimately denied him the victory.

Omar Zazay, who had been quietly building his stack, capitalized on Bellande's misfortune. Zazay claimed the $538,158 first-place prize, securing his first WSOP bracelet. The final table featured several notable players, including three-time bracelet winner Jim Collopy and Germany’s Jessica Vierling, who was seeking her first bracelet win. Despite Bellande's early dominance, a series of improbable hands saw his chip lead slip away, culminating in a dramatic heads-up battle against Zazay.

In another notable event, Dennis Weiss proved his versatility by winning the $1,500 limit hold’em event, earning $133,704. Weiss, known for his prowess in pot-limit Omaha, started the final day in the middle of the pack but managed to navigate through the competition to secure his third career WSOP bracelet. The final table included recognizable names such as 2012 WSOP limit hold’em champion Ronnie Bardah and bracelet winner Patrick Leonard. Weiss's victory solidified his standing in the WSOP, earning him 840 Card Player Player of the Year points and placing him 78th on the yearlong leaderboard presented by CoinPoker.