Yixi Tang Runner-Up in WSOP $10K Super Turbo Bounty
China's Yixi Tang secured a runner-up finish in the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Event #44, the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty, earning $396,145 (approximately 550 million KRW). While the win went to American Alex Foxen, Tang staged a dramatic comeback in heads-up play, overcoming a 7-to-1 chip deficit to briefly take the chip lead. The event, which crowned a champion in a single day due to its super turbo format, attracted 466 participants, creating a prize pool of $2,935,800 (approximately 4 billion KRW) plus an additional $1,398,000 (approximately 1.9 billion KRW) in bounties.
A Comeback From a 7-to-1 Chip Deficit
At the start of heads-up play, the chip stacks were 24.55 million for Foxen versus 3.2 million for Tang, making Tang's defeat seem almost certain. However, Tang refused to give up. He seized the chip lead when Foxen fired three barrels with a missed straight draw, and Tang called with K-8 for two pair. Later, Tang cracked Foxen's pocket aces on the river with a full house after Foxen made trips. Tang then took an overwhelming chip lead after hitting a double gutshot to crack Foxen's pocket aces on the turn for a straight.
Foxen's Counterattack: Two Crucial Hands
Shortly after Tang gained the lead, Foxen fought back. The first crucial hand saw Foxen make a hero call with six-pair against Tang's river bluff. The second came when Tang bet with six-pair, and Foxen rivered a ten-pair to win the pot. These two consecutive hands put Foxen back in the lead, and he solidified it by winning subsequent small pots. In the final hand, Tang shoved with Q-3, and Foxen called with K-6. Tang hit top pair on the flop of Q-T-4, but Foxen's K on the turn sealed the victory. The river did not help Tang, and Foxen secured his fourth bracelet ($594,246).
The Unheralded Rookie's Momentum: "Nothing to Lose"
Tang's performance in this event is particularly noteworthy given his status as an unknown rookie. The final table featured formidable players with multiple bracelets, including Martin Zamani (4th place), Martin Kabrhel, and Josh Arieh. Amidst these established pros, an unknown Chinese player survived to reach the final two, pushing Foxen to the brink with a fearless, "nothing to lose" attitude. Tang's runner-up finish marks his first WSOP cash and his biggest career achievement to date.
Foxen Couple's Combined 10 Bracelets, POY Race Shaken Up
Foxen's victory also adds to the narrative of the Foxen couple's bracelet count. Just a week after his wife, Kristen Foxen, won her sixth bracelet in Event #19 $25K High Roller, Alex added his fourth. Their combined winnings this summer exceed $3,300,000 (approximately 4.5 billion KRW). Foxen's win has also significantly impacted the WSOP Player of the Year (POY) race, which was being led by Kihira of Japan. With this victory, Foxen has surged to the top of the POY standings. With dozens of bracelet events remaining, including the Main Event in July, the duel between Kihira and Foxen for the POY title has become a major storyline this summer." .
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