WSOP $1,500 6-Handed: Honghao Zhang Wins First Bracelet in First WSOP Cash
Honghao "Theo" Zhang of the United States captured his first gold bracelet and $346,108 (approximately 470 million KRW) by winning Event #13, the $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP). In an event that saw 1,840 participants create a prize pool of $2,442,600 (approximately 3.3 billion KRW), the 26-year-old Georgia Tech doctoral student achieved a rare feat by turning his very first WSOP cash into a victory.
First WSOP Cash Becomes a Championship
The most remarkable aspect of Zhang's victory was that it marked his debut WSOP cash. Despite accumulating nearly $400,000 in live tournament winnings, this was his first time cashing at the WSOP main events. That first cash immediately translated into a bracelet. His previous cashes date back to December 2023, mostly in smaller events under $1,000 on the WSOP Circuit. However, he had already demonstrated his ability to perform on a big stage by finishing runner-up for $355,110 in a $1,100 side event at the WPT World Championship held at Wynn Las Vegas in December 2025.
Comeback from the Bottom at the Final Table
Zhang's path to victory was not straightforward. Although he started the final day with a strong stack, he plummeted to the bottom of the chip counts at one point during the final table, facing an early exit. However, he demonstrated patience, waiting for his opportunity. In a 3-handed situation, he secured a pivotal hand. Holding Q-3 suited, he faced David Rees's A-T. Zhang completed a runner-runner flush on the board, sending Rees to the rail in third place. He then dominated Harlan Karnofsky in the heads-up play. In the final hand, Karnofsky shoved all-in with A-4, and Zhang called with A-5. Although there was a moment of tension when Karnofsky picked up a straight draw on a flop of A-2-3, Zhang's A-5 ultimately held up for the win.
Poker as a Hobby Alongside Academics
Zhang is not a typical professional player. He stated that he considers poker a hobby pursued alongside his academic studies, yet he has consistently delivered impressive results. Currently a doctoral student at Georgia Tech, he was jokingly described as becoming "one of the richest students on campus" with his tournament winnings. On the same day at the WSOP, Justin Liberto claimed his second bracelet in 11 years in Event #14, the $1,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo ($265,297), and Philip Ardire won Event #15, the $600 PLO Deepstack ($171,589), bringing the total number of bracelets awarded that day to three.
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