Benny Glaser added one of poker’s most prestigious mixed-game titles to his WSOP record, winning the 2026 $50,000 Poker Players Championship in Las Vegas for $1,343,764 and his ninth career bracelet.
Glaser defeated Josh Arieh heads-up to close out the event, denying Arieh an eighth WSOP bracelet. The result also placed Glaser’s name on the Chip Reese Trophy, which is awarded to the Poker Players Championship winner.
Glaser Tops a Loaded Final Table
The final table featured Benny Glaser, Josh Arieh, Phil Ivey, Maxx Coleman, Paul Volpe, Kristopher Tong, and Jason Mercier. Glaser entered the final stage with the chip lead and stayed in control as the field was gradually reduced.
Kristopher Tong finished sixth for $226,172, followed by Paul Volpe in fifth for $301,405. Maxx Coleman then exited in fourth place for $417,607 after losing a key Pot-Limit Omaha hand to Arieh, who became one of Glaser’s main challengers late in the event.
Phil Ivey’s run ended in third place for $600,698. The 11-time WSOP bracelet winner lost several major pots against Arieh, leaving Glaser and Arieh to play heads-up for the title.
Arieh Falls Short Heads-Up
Arieh began heads-up play with the lead, but Glaser quickly pulled the match back toward even before taking control. The decisive stretch included pots in Seven Card Stud, Razz, and lowball formats, with Glaser gradually building the advantage.
The tournament ended in Omaha Hi-Lo, with Glaser winning the final pot to secure the championship. Arieh finished second for $895,837.
The win gave Glaser his ninth WSOP bracelet and a major mixed-game title on the WSOP schedule.
2026 WSOP $50,000 Poker Players Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Benny Glaser | United Kingdom | $1,343,764 |
| 2nd | Josh Arieh | United States | $895,837 |
| 3rd | Phil Ivey | United States | $600,698 |
| 4th | Maxx Coleman | United States | $417,607 |
| 5th | Paul Volpe | United States | $301,405 |
| 6th | Kristopher Tong | United States | $226,172 |
| 7th | Jason Mercier | United States | $176,732 |
Parssinen Also Wins in Las Vegas
Eelis Parssinen also won a separate high roller event in Las Vegas on the same night, earning $1,172,296. The result was reported as his third WSOP title and his second win of the 2026 series.
Parssinen defeated Juha Helppi heads-up after a final table that also included Sean Winter, Edward Leonard, Sergio Martinez Gonzalez, Lou Garza, Daniel Negreanu, and Dylan Linde.
Helppi finished second for $781,500, while Winter placed third for $540,754.
PGT Leaderboard Movement
Both winners also moved up the PGT leaderboard. Parssinen rose to 13th place with 991 PGT points, while Glaser moved to 16th with 928 points.
The top 40 players on the PGT leaderboard are guaranteed entry into the season-ending $1m PGT Championship Freeroll.
