Sebastian Pauli achieves his Las Vegas dream! He wins his first WSOP gold bracelet and a $150,000 prize.

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German professional poker player Sebastian Pauli won the 2026 WSOP Event #43:$1,500 Razz, defeating numerous mixed-game experts to claim the $152,441 first-place prize and his first WSOP gold bracelet.

Published: June 15, 2026 Updated: June 15, 2026 Category: International News
International Poker News Sebastian Pauli achieves his Las Vegas dream! He wins his first WSOP gold bracelet and a $150,000 prize. WSOP Latest News WSOP High Stakes Tournament Report
Sebastian Pauli wins the 2026 WSOP Razz Championship
German player Sebastian Pauli won the 2026 WSOP Event #43.

Sebastian Pauli finally achieved his WSOP championship dream.

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) will crown another gold bracelet winner.

In Event #43:$1,500 RazzIn the tournament, German professional poker player Sebastian Pauli fought hard for three days and finally won the championship, winning his first WSOP gold bracelet and a prize of $152,441.

For this German star who has competed on the international stage for many years, this is not only one of the most important achievements of his career, but also makes up for the regret of missing out on a gold bracelet for many years.

After the competition, Pauli admitted that he had been waiting for this moment for a long time, and that it felt very special to be able to realize his dream on the WSOP stage.


Large-scale Razz tournaments attract many mixed-game experts

This year's $1,500 Razz tournament attracted a large number of mixed-game players.

As one of the most representative projects in the Seven Card Stud family, Razz adopts the "lowest hand wins" rule, which is completely different from regular Texas Hold'em. Therefore, it tests the player's mastery of hand structure, probability calculation and card reading ability.

For many years, Razz has been considered one of the most technically demanding events in the WSOP.

This competition also attracted many experienced hybrid game experts, making it extremely competitive.


The final table was filled with formidable opponents.

Once at the final table, Pauli faced opponents with extensive tournament experience.

In the early stages of the competition, the scoreboard differences were not significant, and many players had a chance to compete for the championship.

However, as the match progressed, Pauli gradually began to take control of the rhythm.

He successfully won significant pots in several key confrontations, continuously expanding his chip lead.

Especially in the latter part of the game, Pauli demonstrated exceptional Razz skills and judgment, successfully establishing a leading position.


Successfully won the one-on-one duel and was crowned king

When the match entered the final championship game, Pauli had already gained a certain advantage.

However, Razz has always been quite volatile, so even when they are in the lead, they cannot let their guard down.

Despite the opponent's continued counterattacks, Pauli remained calm throughout.

In a crucial hand, he successfully completed a low-card combination, winning the decisive pot.

With the last card dealt, the champion was officially crowned.

Pauli excitedly stood up to celebrate, and the audience gave him a warm round of applause.

After years of waiting, this German professional poker player finally got his dream of winning the WSOP gold bracelet.


The German team adds another glory

In recent years, Germany has been a significant force in the world of poker.

From star players like Fedor Holz and Christoph Vogelsang to Koray Aldemir, the German contingent has consistently achieved outstanding results on the international stage.

Now, Sebastian Pauli has also successfully joined the ranks of WSOP champions.

Although he doesn't appear in the spotlight as frequently as some super high roller stars, Pauli has always enjoyed a good reputation in European tournaments and mixed gaming circles.

The arrival of this gold bracelet further completes his professional resume.


The special significance of the first gold bracelet

For any professional poker player, their first WSOP gold bracelet holds special significance.

It not only represents the honor of a championship, but also an important milestone in one's career.

Pauli has achieved good results in many major competitions in the past, but has never been able to break through the final barrier.

Now that his dream has finally come true, he has officially become a member of the WSOP Champions Club.

After the match, he said:

"I've always believed I have the ability to win a gold bracelet; I just need to wait for the right opportunity."

And Las Vegas in 2026 is clearly that moment.


Event #43: $1, 500 Razz Final Table Results

Rankingplayerbonus
1Sebastian Pauli$152,441
2Michael Laake$101,561
3Kevin Choi$70,395
4Nikolay Ponomarev$49,633
5Denis Strebkov$35,636
6Matthew Schreiber$26,048
7David Bach$19,377
8Andrey Zhigalov$14,659

A brand new champion on the mixed game stage

The 2026 WSOP continues to witness the birth of new champions, and Sebastian Pauli is undoubtedly one of the most inspiring stories.

After years of quietly cultivating the field of hybrid games, he finally ushered in the highlight of his professional career in Razz competitions.

While the $152,441 prize was certainly exciting, for Pauli, the most precious thing was undoubtedly the WSOP gold bracelet, the highest honor in poker.

This championship could also be a new starting point for his career.

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