Brent Gregory Wins First WSOP Bracelet in Stacked Field

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Jun 12, 2026, 7:00 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Brent Gregory Wins First WSOP Bracelet in Stacked Field

poker

Brent Gregory secured the biggest victory of his poker career after winning Event #28: $600 Mixed No-Limit Hold'em/Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack at the 2026 World Series of Poker. 

Gregory outlasted a field of 3,332 entries and overcame one of the toughest final tables of the summer to claim his first WSOP gold bracelet and the top prize of $204,140.

The event attracted significant attention because of the talent assembled at the final table. Daniel Negreanu, Alex Foxen, Maurice Hawkins, and Josh Reichard all remained in contention deep into the tournament. 

As a result, Gregory faced a daunting road to victory against some of poker's most accomplished players.

For fans who follow major tournament series and US online poker sites, Gregory's breakthrough victory ranks among the most impressive bracelet wins of the 2026 WSOP.

Brent Gregory: Final Table Run in the $600 Deepstack NLH/PLO Event

The final table featured a blend of poker legends, high-stakes regulars, and accomplished tournament professionals. Negreanu entered the final nine chasing his eighth WSOP bracelet, while Foxen sought another major title. Hawkins also remained in the hunt as he pursued the first bracelet of his decorated career.

The action intensified quickly after the final table began. Sonny Franco became the first player eliminated in ninth place. Negreanu followed in eighth after suffering one of the tournament's most dramatic hands.

Negreanu appeared poised to double up after turning a flush. However, Hawkins rivered a full house to win a massive pot and eliminate the Poker Hall of Famer. The hand significantly boosted Hawkins' stack and helped propel him toward heads-up play.

Kelly Mahana exited in seventh place before John Holley finished sixth. Foxen's run ended in fifth place for $55,305, removing another elite contender from the field. John Ghosn then bowed out in fourth place.

Reichard, the owner of 17 WSOP Circuit rings, continued his deep run before eventually finishing third for $99,831. His elimination set up a heads-up clash between Gregory and Hawkins, with Hawkins holding a commanding advantage.

Gregory's Miraculous Comeback Against Hawkins

When heads-up play began, Hawkins appeared firmly in control. The WSOP Circuit ring leader held a massive chip lead and had Gregory on the ropes several times.

Gregory refused to fold under the pressure. Instead, he mounted one of the most impressive comebacks of the tournament.

The turnaround began when Gregory doubled through Hawkins with a set of tens. The double-up kept his bracelet hopes alive and reduced Hawkins' advantage. Gregory then found another crucial double-up when his top pair held against Hawkins' flush draw.

Those back-to-back victories completely changed the momentum of the match. Suddenly, Gregory had closed the gap and turned the contest into a battle. He continued applying pressure and eventually overtook Hawkins for the chip lead.

The tournament's final hand took place during a Pot-Limit Omaha round. The chips went into the middle on a flop of 2♣ J♦ 4♦.

Hawkins held K♦ J♠ 9♣ 2♠ for two pair, jacks and deuces. Gregory tabled 7♥ 5♠ 4♥ 4♣ for a flopped set of fours.

Hawkins needed help on the turn or river to stay alive. Neither card improved his hand, allowing Gregory's set to hold and secure the championship.

The victory completed a remarkable comeback and earned Gregory his first WSOP bracelet.

Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize
1 Brent Gregory USA $204,140
2 Maurice Hawkins USA $135,864
3 Josh Reichard USA $99,831
4 John Ghosn USA $73,984
5 Alex Foxen USA $55,305
6 John Holley USA $41,703
7 Kelly Mahana USA $31,724
8 Daniel Negreanu Canada $24,347
9 Sonny Franco France $18,854

Gregory's Career-Defining Performance

Gregory's victory carried extra significance because of the elite competition he overcame. Few WSOP final tables feature such a concentration of accomplished professionals.

Along the way, Gregory outlasted several of poker's biggest names. Negreanu entered the final table chasing his eighth bracelet. Foxen brought years of high-stakes success and major tournament victories. Hawkins arrived as the all-time leader in WSOP Circuit rings and held the chip lead entering heads-up play.

Despite the challenge, Gregory remained composed and capitalized on key opportunities throughout the tournament. His resilience against Hawkins ultimately defined the event.

After securing the bracelet, Gregory acknowledged the pressure of competing against such accomplished opponents.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous," Gregory admitted in an interview after his victory. "Foxen, Negreanu, Reichard – all of them. There were several players at the table better than me. Somehow, I managed to triumph against some of the world's best players."

The win represents the largest tournament score of Gregory's career and establishes him as one of the breakout bracelet winners of the 2026 WSOP. 

While many expected one of the tournament's decorated stars to emerge victorious, Gregory delivered a memorable comeback and captured poker's most prestigious prize.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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