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Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event
Day 3 Completed
2026 World Series of Poker
Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event
Day: 3
Event Info
2026 World Series of Poker
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
Buy-in
$2,500
Prize Pool
$858,850
Total Entries
386
Level
28
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0
Entries
13
Players Left
1
Players Left 1 / 386
Filter
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
One of the most unique events in the WSOP calendar has just come to an end. That event, Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event has seen its 386 entries whittled down to just one. The winner needs no introduction, as long-time crusher Dylan Smith has finally got his hands on the precious piece of hardware that eluded him: a gold WSOP bracelet.
Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas hosted three action-packed days of the seven-game mix, with only No-Limit and Pot-Limit games on offer, some of which can only be found in Dealer’s Choice. Smith has clearly mastered all seven, as his second final table at the 2026 World Series of Poker certainly came good.
The massive $858,850 prizepool was, as always, paid out in its entirety, with the lion’s share of $182,591 going straight to Smith. This brings his career earnings past the $5.5 million milestone according to The Hendon Mob, and ticks off yet another piece of hardware on his already very impressive résumé.
The loser of the heads-up battle, Matt Vengrin, albeit undoubtedly disappointed about not doubling his bracelet tally, put up a stellar performance and was just a single place away from winning one two years in a row. He will be heading home with $118,647, as well as a desire to come back stronger.
Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dylan Smith | United States | $182,591 |
| 2 | Matt Vengrin | United States | $118,647 |
| 3 | Naoya Kihara | Japan | $78,984 |
| 4 | Renan Bruschi | Brazil | $53,889 |
| 5 | Hiroyuki Noda | Japan | $37,706 |
| 6 | Danny Chang | United States | $27,075 |
| 7 | Steve Billirakis | United States | $19,964 |
Winner’s Reaction
“Ecstatic.” That’s the word used to describe how Dylan Smith feels after finally getting his hand on a WSOP bracelet. And there’s no reason for him not to feel ecstatic, following two runners-up finishes, two in third, and numerous final tables at the World Series, it was only a matter of time before a close call became a win.
Despite all of the extremely close run-ins with victory, Smith never once let it demoralize him, or hinder his chances of scoring a win. Every deep run made him, “just hungrier,” for another, and for the eventual win that awaited him.
Smith is a bit of a killer in the classic big bet streets, with huge scores coming in Hold’em and PLO alike, but he is equally talented when it comes to the less common variants. He credits games back in Florida for allowing him to practice the rogue ones, such as Pot-Limit 5-Card Double Draw and Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw, as he got plenty of reps in during the months leading up to the series.
Compared to fixed limit mixed games, Smith, “personally prefers the big bets.”
“I think a lot of poker is about knowing when to put people to the test, and you don't really get to do that as much in limit.” “It’s more mechanical.”
Smith certainly put the final table to the test as the chip lead he garnered through an all-important flip against Nicholas Marchington allowed him to exercise his stack, and dominate the competition until he was the sole player left..
“My mom’s in Ireland right now. I’m very excited to talk to her,” he said was his very first thought following victory. Aside from celebrating with her, he’ll take the evening to enjoy a nice meal with his girlfriend, before getting right back to the grind.
Smith won’t be taking days off, as he has his eyes set on plenty more events from now until the end, with his ultimate goal, of course, the Main Event. Now that he’s finally got the first notch on his WSOP belt, one shouldn’t fancy the chances of anybody betting against Smith.
Final Day Action
As it turned out, 2-7 would be the grim reaper of the final day, as each of the first two eliminations came in the format. First to go was Ryuta Nakai, whose hunt for a maiden bracelet will have to continue. Despite his opponent, Smith, drawing three twice, he found a pat on the third draw, and Nakai paired up to bust.
Scott Abrams was next up on the chopping block, and the same fate awaited him in Single Draw, as he paired a deuce to lose out to the ten-low of Steve Billirakis.
Steve Chanthabouasy was the only player of the day to head home in an Omaha game, as Hi-Lo was his undoing. With just four big blinds to his name, his pair of aces couldn't hold against Vengrin, who spiked two pair on the river to send him home.
Marchington's most accomplished game in the mix would be the one to bust him brutally. In a Hold'em flip, his ace-king flopped best, but was drawing dead on the turn as Smith binked a set to the horror of Marchington.
With the final table reached, Smith was the player occupying the top spot, while Kihara was just behind him. Billirakis' tournament then came to an end in another hand of 2-7 Triple Draw, when he got it all-in and ended with a seven-six, but it was second best to Vengrin's number one to bow out in seventh place as the first casualty of the final table.
Kihara followed that up by eliminating Danny Chang in Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw to leave just five players, but from there the tide turned in Smith's favor. He dispatched Hiroyuki Noda in fifth place before knocking out Renan Bruschi in a No-Limit Hold'em to take a huge lead with three remaining.
The three-time bracelet winner Kihara, two of which came this series, was Smith's next victim. In another hand of No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw, Smith stood pat with a jack-low while Kihara paired after drawing one, ending the Japanese star's run in third place and giving Smith a massive chip lead going into heads-up play against Vengrin.
Despite beginning the match with more than a 4:1 chip disadvantage, Vengrin refused to go away quietly. He found a miracle double in Pot-Limit Omaha after spiking one of only three remaining aces on the river to stay alive and briefly keep Smith waiting for his first bracelet.
Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished, however. Smith took back his huge lead in Pot-Limit Omaha after turning a straight against Vengrin's flopped set of aces. The final hand came in Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw. Smith bet the pot after the first draw and instantly called when Vengrin moved all in. Smith made an eight-seven, while Vengrin could only muster a ten-eight, bringing an end to the event and locking up Smith's maiden WSOP bracelet.
That wraps up Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event. Stay tuned to PokerNews throughout the remainder of the 2026 WSOP for continuing coverage as more champions are crowned.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
Dylan Smith has outlasted a field of 388 runners in Event #71: $2,500 Mixed Big Bet Event to claim his maiden WSOP bracelet, alongside a score of $182,591.
Stay tuned as PokerNews brings you a full recap of the day's action, as well as a reaction from the winner.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
Pot-Limit 2-7 Triple Draw
Dylan Smith potted to 240,000, and Matt Vengrin slid in a call. Vengrin drew two as Smith drew one.
Vengrin checked, and Smith announced, "pot," for 560,000. Vengrin moved all in, and Smith snap-called.
Both players drew one on the second draw, before standing pat on the final draw.
Matt Vengrin: 10x8x7x5x2x 
Dylan Smith: 8x7x6x4x3x
The two shared a handshake, as Vengrin left the tournament area, and Smith bathed in the glory of his first WSOP bracelet.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
Pot-Limit Omaha
Dylan Smith completed from the button and Matt Vengrin checked his option in the big blind.
Vengrin led out for 80,000 on the A♣9♦J♥ flop and was met by a raise to 300,000 from Smith. Vengrin continued with a call.
The 8♠ turn checked through before the 3♣ completed the board. Vengrin bet the pot for 840,000, and Smith quickly called.
Vengrin revealed A♦A♠8♣3♦ for a set of aces, but it was second best to Smith's straight with J♠10♠7♥2♥.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
Pot-Limit Omaha
Matt Vengrin raised to 200,000, and Dylan Smith potted to 600,000. Vengrin moved all in, and Smith made the call.
Matt Vengrin: A♥6♠4♦3♥
Dylan Smith: Q♠10♥7♠6♦
The K♦2♠10♣ flop fired Smith into the lead, and the 8♣ turn confined his opponent to just three outs. Right when he needed it, Vengrin pulled a Greenstein as the A♦ river gave him a major suckout, as the heads-up match continued.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Single Draw
Dylan Smith raised to 200,000 from the button, and Matt Vengrin defended his big blind.
Both drew two, and then Vengrin check-folded against the 450,000 bet from Smith.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
The final two players have taken their seats, and are beginning the heads-up match.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Matt Vengrin opened to 225,000 on the button. Naoya Kihara thought for a while before moving all in for 3,405,000 from the small blind. Smith got a count before rejamming from the big blind, and Vengrin snap-folded.
Kihara drew one, and Smith stood pat.
Naoya Kihara: 9x4x3x2x
Dylan Smith: Jx8x6x4x2x
Kihara needed to beat a jack, but couldn't do so with the 9x he pulled giving him a pair, and confirming his exit.
Level 28
PLFCD & 2-7 NL: 50,000-100,000, 150,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
PLO - PLO 8 - Big O - PLTD: 80,000-40,000, 80,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold’em: 40,000-80,000, 120,000 Ante
No-Limit Hold'em
Renan Bruschi jammed the button for 650,000, and Dylan Smith made the call from the small blind to try and send him home.
Renan Bruschi: K♦8♣
Dylan Smith: A♦5♠
Bruschi was behind to Smith's ace-high, but he did have two live cards working for him.
Bruschi remained unimproved on the 5♣3♠J♦10♥3♦ runout, which meant Smith's pair of fives won the pot, and Bruschi was sent to the rail in fourth place.
