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Minnesota's Own Rich Alsup Claims Another WSOP Bracelet

Rich Alsup has added a second World Series of Poker bracelet to his résumé, taking down the $1,500 Monster Stack event at the 2026 WSOP — reportedly fueled by a loud and passionate contingent of supporters from his home state of Minnesota.

Why This Win Stands Out

The Monster Stack is one of the WSOP's most popular open events, drawing a massive field thanks to its relatively accessible buy-in and the generous starting stack that gives recreational and professional players alike plenty of room to maneuver. Navigating that kind of field all the way to a bracelet requires sustained focus over multiple grueling days — making Alsup's victory a genuine test of endurance as much as skill.

What elevates the narrative here is the rail — the crew of friends, family, and fellow Minnesotans who reportedly showed up in force to back Alsup through the final table. In tournament poker, a strong rail can be a meaningful psychological edge, and it's a reminder that even at the highest level of competition, community plays a real role.

Two Bracelets and Counting

Earning a second WSOP bracelet places Alsup in select company. The jump from one bracelet to two is significant in the poker world — it begins to separate a player who ran well once from one who has demonstrated repeatable excellence on the biggest stage in the game.

For the Minnesota poker community, this win is a genuine moment of regional pride. The state has produced serious tournament talent over the years, and Alsup's latest title adds another chapter to that story.

FeltIQ Take

Alsup's Monster Stack title is a clean example of what the WSOP's mid-tier buy-in events do best: create big fields, big moments, and occasionally, big stories. Keep an eye on his progress through the rest of the 2026 series.

Read on PokerOrg

Facial Hair as a WSOP Tradition

Every summer, the World Series of Poker brings together thousands of players from around the globe — and along with the chips, cards, and rail-sweating fans comes one of the tournament series' most underappreciated traditions: spectacular facial hair.

PokerOrg has put together a photo gallery celebrating the boldest, bushiest, and most creatively cultivated beards spotted on the WSOP felt this year. The collection is a fun reminder that the poker room is, for many players, a place of genuine self-expression — not just a competitive arena.

More Than a Look

There's a long-standing culture of personal style at the WSOP. With hours-long sessions and days that blur together under casino lighting, players develop rituals and identities that extend well beyond their chip stacks. For some, a well-maintained beard is part of the persona — a statement of patience, endurance, or simply a love of low-maintenance grooming during a grind-heavy summer.

The gallery features a range of styles:

• Full, untamed natural beards that suggest months (or years) of dedication
• Neatly shaped statement beards that pair with a polished tournament-table aesthetic
• Eccentric, sculpted styles that would turn heads anywhere, not just at a poker table

Why It Matters (Kind of)

It's lighthearted content, sure — but galleries like this highlight something genuinely interesting about the WSOP's cultural footprint. The series isn't just the world's largest poker tournament; it's also a gathering where personality and community are on full display alongside elite competition.

If nothing else, this is proof that while the cards may be the great equalizer at the table, is where players truly differentiate themselves.

Seniors Take the Felt at the 2026 World Series of Poker

One of the most beloved annual traditions at the World Series of Poker is back. Event #46, the $1,000 Seniors No-Limit Hold'em Championship, is drawing a massive field at the Rio in Las Vegas — as it reliably does year after year.

Why the Seniors Event Matters

The Seniors Championship is consistently one of the largest-field events on the WSOP calendar. Open to players aged 50 and older, it attracts a unique mix of seasoned veterans, recreational players, and a handful of established pros who qualify by age. That combination tends to produce deep, unpredictable runs and first-time bracelet winners — making it one of the more compelling events to follow for rail enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

What to Watch For

• Field size: With a $1,000 buy-in and a low barrier to entry, this event routinely draws several thousand entrants, generating a significant prize pool.
• Late-stage dynamics: A♠ the field thins, watch for experienced tournament grinders navigating a player pool with a wide range of styles and stack-management approaches.
• Bracelet storylines: First-time winners are common here, and veteran players chasing their first or next piece of WSOP hardware add compelling narrative threads throughout.