This content was AI generated based on the original article published on https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/07/2026-wsop-event-96-3000-plo-results-joshua-wang-beats-seidel-51896.htm. All credits for the original reporting belong to them.
Poker Hall of Famer Erik Seidel made his 43rd World Series of Poker final table in Event #96: $3,000 6-Handed Pot-Limit Omaha, seeking his record-extending 11th bracelet. Standing in his way was Joshua Wang, a recreational player originally from China now living in the United States.
Wang dominated the final table, accounting for four of the five eliminations before facing Seidel heads-up. After a brief battle, Wang closed out the match to claim the $407,137 top prize and his first career bracelet from the $2,381,640 prize pool.
Among Wang’s final-table victims were notable players Biao Ding, Christopher Vitch, and Robert Mizrachi. Wang built his momentum earlier in the day, arriving 30 minutes late to the unofficial final table of 17 players but quickly accumulating chips once seated.
Known for engaging in table talk and frequently showing his cards, Wang said the approach reflected his enjoyment of the game rather than a strategic edge, adding that it allowed him to exchange information with opponents.
A key turning point came when Wang eliminated Krasimir Yankov on the bubble, rivering a set of aces against Yankov’s flopped set of kings. That pot gave Wang nearly half the chips in play at six-handed, setting up his eventual dominance. Four-handed, a massive preflop clash saw him eliminate both Vitch and Mizrachi simultaneously.
Despite a six-to-one chip deficit, Seidel fought hard in heads-up play, even flopping a straight in the decisive hand. However, Wang’s full house on the turn sealed the victory. Wang thanked his family, friends, and tournament staff before saying he planned to return home to see his children after a long summer on the circuit.
