“"It should have happened a long time ago!" Josh Reichard finally realized his dream of winning a gold bracelet, taking home his first WSOP title and $555,000 in prize money.

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will welcome a long-awaited new champion.

In Event #62:$2,500 No-Limit Hold'em, American professional poker player Josh Reichard emerged victorious from a massive field of 1,736 players to win his first WSOP gold bracelet and a first-place prize of $555,198.

After the match, when asked how he felt at that moment, Reichard gave the most representative answer:

“"It's about time!"

This statement not only expresses his true feelings but also encapsulates his long journey in pursuit of the WSOP gold bracelet over the years.

The King of Gold Rings finally got his gold bracelet.

Josh Reichard is a familiar name to many poker players.

He is already a legend in the WSOP Circuit.

Prior to this victory, Reichard had accumulated 17 WSOP Circuit championship rings, making him one of the most successful players in the history of the tour.

Surprisingly, despite having numerous championship titles and millions of dollars in live tournament winnings, he has always missed out on the WSOP gold bracelet.

Over the past few years, he has advanced to higher levels multiple times:

• Runner-up in the 2023 Mini Main Event
• Millionaire Maker won third place in 2026.
• Multiple WSOP final table experiences

But they were never able to complete the final step.

Until this time.

The final table showcased the champion's spirit.

Once he reached the final table, Reichard became the most watched player of the night.

His extensive experience in major competitions made him appear exceptionally composed during crucial stages.

After the match, he admitted:

“"I could sense that many players at the final table were very nervous."”

Compared to other players who were under immense pressure, Reichard remained calm thanks to his years of tournament experience.

Within just 30 minutes of the start of the final table, five players were eliminated, making the game extremely fast-paced.

Reichard, on the other hand, played it safe and steadily, continuously expanding his chip advantage.

“"Home advantage" helps in the championship race

During the match, Reichard was surrounded by a large number of supporters.

Whenever he bets, calls, or wins a crucial pot, the sidelines erupt in enthusiastic cheers.

Regarding this special atmosphere, Reichard stated:

“"While I don't consider poker a traditional sport, it really feels like playing on home soil."”

He believes that the audience's support not only gives him more confidence, but also puts extra pressure on his opponents.

This "home advantage" became an important driving force in his championship pursuit.

The one-on-one battle ended in half an hour.

When it came to the finals, Reichard faced American player Caleb Harris.

Although Harris performed equally well throughout, he was unable to find a chance to turn the tide against the red-hot Reichard.

The two sides fought fiercely for only about half an hour before a winner was decided.

In the final hand, Reichard successfully made a straight, winning the crucial pot that would determine the champion.

As the last public card was dealt, cheers erupted from the crowd.

Josh Reichard's dream has finally come true.

The championship moment was full of warmth.

After the match, Reichard rushed to the stands to high-five his supporters one by one.

He then embraced his wife Ashley, sharing this dream-come-true moment.

The most unusual moment came from a phone call.

After winning the championship, Reichard immediately called his father Brett, who was in Wisconsin.

The first thing my father said after hearing the news was:

“"It should have been done a long time ago!"”

This simple sentence represents the companionship and support of family members over the years.

Event #62 Final Table Results

The long wait has finally come to an end.

For many professional poker players, winning a WSOP gold bracelet is the ultimate dream.

For Josh Reichard, this honor is even more significant.

From 17 WSOP Circuit gold rings to countless deep cuts and repeated near misses with the championship, he has proven himself to be a top tournament player.

Now, this gold bracelet, which was many years overdue, has finally come into his hands.

As his father said:

“"It should have been done a long time ago."”

This time, the entire poker world will have no objections.

Want to change Texas Holdem from "can understand" to "can win"?

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