Joey Couden shatters Shaun Deeb's dream of a nine-time WSOP champion! He takes the Nine Game Mix title, securing his third WSOP gold bracelet.

Joey Couden once again tops the WSOP stage

Another champion will be crowned at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP).

In Event #52:$3,000 Nine Game MixIn the tournament, American professional poker player Joey Couden successfully defeated a field of 472 players to win the championship, taking home a prize of $184,862 and his third WSOP gold bracelet.

Even more noteworthy is his successful thwarting of Shaun Deeb's pursuit of his ninth career gold bracelet at the final table, making him one of the most anticipated mixed game champions of this year's WSOP.

Deeb entered the final day with a huge advantage.

Before the final day, Shaun Deeb was almost universally favored by the outside world.

The eight-time WSOP bracelet winner had accumulated over 3.5 million chips by the end of Day 2, more than double the number in second place, making him the most dominant player on the field.

At the same time, Deeb hopes to use this victory to return to the WSOP Player of the Year competition.

However, the charm of poker tournaments lies in the fact that the outcome is always unpredictable.

Although Deeb made it all the way to the final stage, he ultimately failed to achieve his goal of winning the championship.

David Williams' attempt to win the championship failed once again.

Besides Deeb, David Williams, the runner-up of the 2004 WSOP Main Event, was also a key figure at the final table.

This well-known professional poker player made steady progress, at one point even entering the top three competition.

However, in the crucial stages, Williams failed to maintain his scoreboard advantage and ultimately finished in third place, missing out on his second WSOP gold bracelet.

Nevertheless, this remains one of Williams' most impressive achievements at the WSOP in recent years.

Joey Couden's late surge

Unlike Deeb's strong lead, Couden did not maintain the lead throughout.

During the final table, he faced pressure multiple times, but maintained a consistent performance throughout.

As the game progressed into the second half, he gradually took control of the pace and steadily accumulated the scoreboard.

After eliminating David Williams, Couden officially entered the championship singles, where he faced Shaun Deeb.

Champion defeats Shaun Deeb in one-on-one match

At the start of the one-on-one match, Deeb still maintained a certain level of competitiveness.

After all, this mixed game master has extensive experience in major tournaments and has made several comebacks at the WSOP final table.

But Couden didn't give their opponents a chance.

He gradually built an advantage through consistent technical skill and precise decision-making, ultimately winning the last hand and officially securing the championship.

For Deeb, this is yet another significant moment in the past two years where he has narrowly missed out on the gold bracelet.

Couden, however, emerged victorious.

Third gold bracelet in his career

With this victory, Joey Couden now has three WSOP gold bracelets.

He had previously worked in:

• 2018 WSOP $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
• 2025 WSOP $500 Salute to Warriors

She won the gold bracelet twice.

His re-crown title now officially places him among the recipients of multiple gold bracelets.

Nine Game Mix tests all-around capabilities

Nine Game Mix is considered one of the most technically demanding mixed game tournaments in the WSOP.

Players must take turns playing nine different poker games, including:

• Limit Hold'em
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• Stud
• Stud Hi-Lo
• Razz
• 2-7 Triple Draw
• Badugi
• Pot-Limit Omaha
• No-Limit Hold'em

These types of competitions not only test technical depth but also require players to have extremely high adaptability.

Being able to stand out under such comprehensive testing makes Couden's gold bracelet all the more precious.

Event #52 Final Table Results

Deeb once again narrowly escaped history.

This defeat was somewhat regrettable for Shaun Deeb.

If he wins the championship, he will receive his ninth WSOP gold bracelet and gain a huge advantage in the annual player rankings.

However, it was Joey Couden who ultimately stood on the highest podium.

From his first title in 2018 to his second gold bracelet in 2025, and now to his victory at the Nine Game Mix event, Couden is gradually building his own WSOP legend.

This victory over Shaun Deeb will be one of the most iconic championships of his career.

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