Bracelet Hunting - A WSOP 2026 Trip Report
Time for a new thread!
Credit to rppoker (who made the suggestion in my previous thread) for the title of this years’ tri
Post Game - Part 1
After 7 weeks in the desert it was good to get back home and see some greenery.
Let’s look at how we did on the trip.
Tournaments
TLDR = buried
I played 31 total tournaments consisting of 25 bracelet events, (including 1 x $10k) 4 landmark satellites and 1 tournament each at Wynn and Aria.
To show for it we only had 4 cashes:
261st out of 2,150 for $3,020 in the $1,500 Big O
39th out of 780 for $4,975 in the $1,500 HORSE
Cashed flight B of the $1,000 PLO for $2,234 but did not make day two.
193rd out of 1,673 for $3,027 in the $1,500 PLO Double Board Bomb Pot
The final 100% numbers were:
Tournaments Played: 31
Bullets Fired: 37
Hours Played: 184
Total Buy-Ins: $58,650
Cashes: 4
Total Prize Money: $13,256
Net Result: -$45,395
After deducting the action that I sold my personal result was -$23,860
Packages Sold
Just a quick note to thank everyone who bought a piece, either through a package on here or on Pokerstake. Obviously the results weren’t what any of us wanted.
Mixed Games Package
No cashes. $3,300 (including markup) in unused re-entries to be returned.
NLH / Mystery Bounty Package
No cashes. $440 (including markup) in unused re-entries to be returned.
Big Bet Package
2 cashes for $6,047 total and $6,600 (including markup) in unused re-entries to be returned.
Final Tournament Thoughts
So that’s what a full summer looks like when you run bad. The only positive I can take away was that I was disciplined with the re-entries.
I thought the overall level of play was pretty bad in the big field lower buy-in PLO and NLH tournaments that I played but could not take advantage.
There was less dead money in the mixed events although there was still some, but again I could not win any pots against those guys.
The WSOP experience was as expected. Bad dealers,(unless you made a day 2) and poor food options. The overall temperature was improved from last year though as they built the mothership in what was the coldest area of the Paris ballroom. The app is unbelievably good and a true game changer.
Payouts and depositing money into my tournament account was never a problem as I always went late at night when it was quiet.
Cash Games
I played most of my cash sessions at Bellagio with a handful at Paris thrown in.
I started off strong and pretty much maintained it throughout the summer, although did have a dip at the end.
Action was very good throughout but there was a noticeable drop-off when we got into July and especially the last week.
Hours Played: 233
Profit: +$30,000
Hourly: $129
Having 3 and 4 $80 Mix games running at Bellagio for most of the summer was awesome. Part of me wishes I’d have just gone and concentrated 100% on cash, but I’m sure that’s being results orientated.
Sports Betting
What a summer. NBA and NHL playoffs, US Open golf and the World Cup. I did okay, winning more bets than I lost including big bets on England to beat Mexico and Belgium to beat USA.
Sports Betting Profit: +$6,000
Fantasy
Entered two teams in the ODB league which are in mid-table obscurity.
Fantasy Result: -$1,050
Buying Pieces
I bought small pieces of various players in different events throughout the summer on Pokerstake and hit the jackpot when I had pieces of both Benny and Josh when they finished 1-2 in the PPC.
Total Invested: $5,395
Total Returns: $16,687
Net Profit: $11,292
As this post is running long I’ll split it into two parts and detail the expenses and give thoughts on the hotels, restaurants and a final summary in the next part.
Looks like you're still going to be in the black net of expenses. Obviously not the summer you were hoping for, but there's a lot of folks who go out and play the type of schedule you played and do a lot worse, ending up well in the red net net on the trip.
Seems to me you should be proud that you kept your head on your shoulders and avoided going into a tilt spiral where you donk it off in cash games, in the pits, or firing extra bullets when you shouldn't be doing so. That's a win.
Fantastic TR and thanks for keeping with it even though the trip was long and seemed like it was dragging for you at the end. It sucks about the tournaments, but everything else seemed to go well.
Thanks for taking us along on the journey. Even without the results you hoped for, this was an enjoyable daily read throughout the series.
I’m exhausted for you. Such a gruelling tournament schedule.
While we all sign up for them knowing that most days end in disappointment, the constant disappointment in addition to the hours of concentration just be a huge challenge
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This was a great read, congratudolences, glad you’re safely home.
Was the hotel hopping a hassle or was it nice to get a change of scenery every week? I guess maybe both.
There is no collection of mixed game players, at any time of the year, in anywhere else in the world than the collection that gets together for the 80 mix at Bellagio during the World Series.
Being 30k to the good after more than a month out there is an INCREDIBLE accomplishment. Against the best there is, in this game.
It’s a MUCH better indicator of true, repeatable skill, more than any single mixed tournament could ever be. Even several tournaments.
I think it was Amarillo Slim that once said, “the money is just how we keep score.”
Thank you for the TR. I'm happy that you found some great results in the cash games despite a bad runout in the tournaments.
Slight tangent: England really are a meme, aren't they? They've got Argentina on the ropes and instead of going for the jugular, they make defensive substitutions and invite pressure for the final 30+ minutes. Quite disastrous from Tuchel. I hope you didn't have any money on the Three Lions today.
Surely there's a poker cliche in this. Scared money doesn't make money.
England did the same thing against Mexico and it felt dumb then. But against the Argies it was instane. They didn’t deserve to win
Hope Tony didn’t have too much on it
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Was the hotel hopping a hassle or was it nice to get a change of scenery every week? I guess maybe both.
Yeah a little of both. Each hotel has its own charm and I like all the hotels I stay at, even Excalibur!
The short stays were more of a pain in the ass because i didnt feel it was worth it to unpack my suitcase so never really felt at home.
There is no collection of mixed game players, at any time of the year, in anywhere else in the world than the collection that gets together for the 80 mix at Bellagio during the World Series.Being 30k to the good after more than a month out there is an INCREDIBLE accomplishment. Against the best there is, in this game.It’s a MUCH better indicator of true, repeatable skill, mor
Thanks for the kind words. Next year I may indeed have a more cash based focus.
To Dogface and FeelWrath. Can’t disagree. Going so defensive not the way to win against a team like that.
I came back to a billiards World Cup so I’m taking a lot of bets this week and they’re betting the soccer as well. I took a lot of Argentina and Over action. I went from scooping the lot with a 1-1 final to getting hosed. Gracias Messi [emoji30]
Post Game - Part 2
Okay let’s put this to bed and finish the wrap up.
Hotels
I don’t have anything bad to say about any of the hotels I stayed at, even Excalibur. They all have their own charm and fill a purpose. The shorter stays at MGM properties broke up the longer stays at Paris and Horseshoe and allowed me to get some free nights each time.
Obviously Aria is a little bit more luxurious than the other places I stayed so that takes top spot, but I developed a soft spot for Horseshoe due to their pool.
Total Hotel cost for 48 nights: $1,801
Average per night: $37.52
Flights
The round trip flights with Copa were $892. Again no complaints. I find Copa to be very good and they are my preferred option.
Restaurants
No gastro-tour. I pretty much stayed in my lane and ate at my usual spots. I ate a lot of meals while playing cash at Bellagio which is probably not healthy but it is what it is. Most of them were paid for with comps and any extra with chips off the table so I didn’t really feel it out of my pocket. Lots of Prime, Lago, Spago, Sadelle’s, Noodles, Yellowtail and Snacks. It got to the point where I didn’t even need to look at menus!
Away from Bellagio Caramella at PH is another favorite of mine and I was glad I finally tried Batistas.
Miscellaneous Expenses
Can’t really think of many. As mentioned most of the food was comps at Bellagio so maybe I only spent another $1,000 on food if that.
2 x haircuts at $70 each
2 x lots of laundry at $40 each.
Taxi to and from airport at $30 each way with tip.
Total Misc Expenses: $1,500 (I rounded up as probably I forgot a few things)
Final Accounting
The +’s
Cash Games: $30,000
Sports Betting: $6,000
Buying Pieces: $11,300
The -‘s
Tournaments: -$23,900 (my share)
Hotels: -$1,800
Flights: -$900
Misc Expenses: -$1,500
Final Net: +$19,200
It could have been better, could have been worse. I didn’t expect to run so bad in the tournaments but happy to have made it back in the cash games.
So you want to grind the whole summer? Well with tournaments and cash games combined I played 417 total hours which over 7 weeks works out to just shy of 60 hours per week and I don’t think I overdid it.
Was it worth it? Pass
Will I do it again next year? I wouldn’t bet against it!
Health
I tried to keep a normal sleep schedule and not over-do things. I also forced myself to take some days and nights off. But it catches up with you. I think I was fine for about a month but then I did notice a drop-off. Sleep became erratic and all the days started to blend into one.
I also gained a little weight. I guess even with swimming and walking a lot it can’t compensate for long hours sitting down and the rich food. I went In at 78kg and came back at 81kg (172 - 178lbs)
My defensemen for 7 weeks in Vegas:
Sleeping tablets, Airborne vitamin supplements, Ayr nasal spray and Jergens moisturizer are all things that helped me and I would recommend. Tito’s nightcaps entirely optional!
Final Thoughts
So there you have it. A full summer grind in black and white. Thankfully we finished in the black rather than in the red. The title of the thread was always the ultimate reach goal and the dream for all of us. I didn’t achieve it but thought I might at least have gotten close. A final table or a deep run, but no, nada. So that aspect was very disappointing.
On a brighter note I did well in the cash games and between that, my sports betting and buying pieces managed to come out in profit. Not as much as I would have liked but it could have been worse.
There was also brief moments when poker schedules relented and I was able to share a bit of down time with fellow 2+2 and LVL’ers. Those moments were important and definitely helped to keep me on track.
So that will do it. Thanks for reading. Until next time.
So let me get this straight, you ran really poorly in seven weeks of tournament play and still finished with a profit of almost $20,000.
That's pretty spectacular when you think about it.
great stuff mate - thank you. What a giant grind...both the schedule and the aily report writing.
re comps....you must have also scored a ton of comps from your wsop entries? I was only told on my last day that Caesars gave comps for them - assume you used them too?
great stuff mate - thank you. What a giant grind...both the schedule and the aily report writing.
re comps....you must have also scored a ton of comps from your wsop entries? I was only told on my last day that Caesars gave comps for them - assume you used them too?
Yeah both tier points and rewards credits. I also get credit for my sports betting at Caesars as well. The rewards credits I used to pay for a couple of meals at Caramella and daily sundries.
The tier points I've already retained Diamond for another year and am not far off diamond plus.
Should have extended the trip by a couple of days for the $25K Horse.
You were due!
Great report as always!
HotelsI don’t have anything bad to say about any of the hotels I stayed at, even Excalibur. They all have their own charm and fill a purpose. The shorter stays at MGM properties broke up the longer stays at Paris and Horseshoe and allowed me to get some free nights each time.Obviously Aria is a little bit more luxurious than the other places I stayed so that takes top spot, but
That's really good, less than 1 night's resort fee.
Final Accounting
The +’s
Cash Games: $30,000
Sports Betting: $6,000
Buying Pieces: $11,300
The -‘s
Tournaments: -$23,900 (my share)
Hotels: -$1,800
Flights: -$900
Misc Expenses: -$1,500
Final Net: +$19,200
You could have saved a lot of money and effort by staying home and buying pieces! You obviously have a good eye for talent.
It's also amazing that you could make Diamond without video poker or degen-ing in the pit. Small tip for using up Reward Credits - charge everything you can to the room, then use Reward Credits toward your bill when you check out.
Thank you! Incredible, informative, and inspiring.
Long time from home. Dual usage for the lotion.
