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Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix
Day 3 Completed
2026 World Series of Poker
Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix
Day: 3
Event Info
2026 World Series of Poker
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
Buy-in
$3,000
Prize Pool
$1,260,240
Total Entries
472
Level
33
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0
Entries
21
Players Left
1
Players Left 1 / 472
Filter
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Tonight, playing under the sweltering spotlights of the feature table at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, Joey Couden wrote himself in the history books at the 2026 World Series of Poker.
Late in the night, Couden defeated Shaun Deeb in Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix, becoming the last player standing from a record-breaking field of 472 entries. After a rough start to his summer, Deeb appeared in his 17th heads-up battle in a bracelet event. However, after three and a half hours, Couden was crowned the champion, denying Deeb his ninth bracelet. As a result, Couden captured the $254,470 top prize, his largest score to date.
"It means a lot to me. I feel blessed, just feels great," Couden shared after receiving the lion's share of the $1,260,240 prize pool and a third piece of WSOP hardware for his prize cabinet, "I just wanted it so bad."
Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joey Couden | United States | $254,470 |
| 2 | Shaun Deeb | United States | $166,540 |
| 3 | Kazuhiro Shirasawa | Japan | $111,610 |
| 4 | Thomas Taylor | Canada | $76,510 |
| 5 | Yu Li | China | $53,680 |
| 6 | Antonios Onoufriou | Cyprus | $38,560 |
| 7 | Noah Bronstein | United States | $28,390 |
Staying Focused and Finding Motivation
Couden and Deeb were surrounded by a boisterous crowd all night, although Couden stated it did not impact his focus in any way, nor did the numerous swings and chip-lead changes during the heads-up battle: "I didn't think too hard about any of that stuff, just try to lock in every hand. One at a time, you know."
Couden was at one time a pure no-limit hold'em player, but got into mixed games as a hobby: "Instead of going out to clubs and partying, I would get with a group of friends and party and play mix. I was always trying to learn a new skill."
His eagerness to learn got him picked in the 25K Fantasy this year, something that brings him extraordinary motivation: "It makes it easier to get up every day, keep going. You're in group chats with buddies, and they're rooting for you. I think it's the funnest thing. It's just so interesting and fun."
Couden's Road to Victory
Couden started the day in the middle of the pack of the 21 returning players, but after a few hours, he knocked out Mike Gorodinsky (9th -$21,420) and Hall of Famer Eli Elezra (8th - $21,420) in quick succession to get the field to a final table of seven, which he started second in chips.
From that point, it appeared to become the Shaun Deeb show. Deeb knocked out Noah Bronstein, Antonios Onoufriou, and Yu Li to create a huge chip lead four-handed. Last year's runner-up Thomas Taylor was then eliminated by Couden in fourth place. However, he still started the heads-up with a two-to-one deficit after Deeb had sent Kazuhiro Shirasawa to the rail in third.
What followed was a heads-up match that saw Couden claw back from the depths. Both players went on to exchange the lead several times, battling hard for every pot. Both were cheered on by sizable and loud rails, with friendly chants and needles going back and forth between the two sides. Eventually, Couden won a big hand in Stud and, not long after, left Deeb with no chips. Deeb immediately left the tournament area as an elated Couden celebrated his new WSOP bracelet with his many friends.
That concludes the PokerNews coverage for this event, but be sure to check out our WSOP live reporting hub as we bring you all the latest from every bracelet event during the 2026 World Series of Poker.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Joey Couden has earned his third WSOP bracelet in Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix after besting a record-breaking 409-entry field and defeating poker legend Shaun Deeb in a nearly four-hour heads-up battle.
The match was full of drama, with both sides boasting large, boisterous rails and the lead changing hands several times. However, in the end, Couden was able to vanquish the eight-time bracelet winner and secure the largest cash of his career.
Stay tuned for a recap of the final day.
Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Joey Couden | United States | $254,470 |
| 2 | Shaun Deeb | United States | $166,540 |
| 3 | Kazuhiro Shirasawa | Japan | $111,610 |
| 4 | Thomas Taylor | Canada | $76,510 |
| 5 | Yu Li | China | $53,680 |
| 6 | Antonios Onoufriou | Cyprus | $38,560 |
| 7 | Noah Bronstein | United States | $28,390 |
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Razz
Shaun Deeb: 3xAx/Jx8x7x2x/3x
Joey Couden: 10xAx/2x5x4x4x/6x
In what would be the last hand of the tournament, Joey Couden completed and Shaun Deeb called.
Deeb called a bet from Couden on fourth street and then called all in after a bit of thought when Couden bet on fifth.
Deeb improved to an eight by sixth street, but Couden squeezed a 6x on seventh — improving him to a six to eliminate Deeb in second place.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Seven Card Stud
Shaun Deeb: XxXx/10♥Q♠2♥7♥/Xx
Joey Couden: J♥9♣3♥/J♦9♠7♦4♠
Shaun Deeb brought in, Joey Couden completed, and Deeb raised. Couden called, and called bets by Deeb on fourth through sixth street.
Deeb bet again on seventh street, with Couden quickly calling to showdown. Deeb announced one pair, prompting Couden to triumphantly jump up and table jacks-up to put a huge dent in Deeb's stack.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
No-Limit Hold'em
The last several hands have resulted in small losses or gain, with Shaun Deeb getting slightly the best of it in his exchanges with Joey Couden.
In a recent hand, Deeb limped on the button and Couden checked his option.
Couden check-called a 400,000 bet from Deeb on the A♠5♠8♦ flop, but check-folded facing a 1,100,000 bet from Deeb on the J♠ turn.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw
Shaun Deeb limped in on the button and called when Joey Couden put him all in for 2,385,000. Both players took one card on the draw and revealed their cards.
Shaun Deeb: 10x8x6x2x
Joey Couden: 10x8x7x3x
Couden caught a pair with a 3x, meaning Deeb's Ax was good enough to earn him a vital double-up.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Limit Hold’em
On a flop of 3♣J♥7♣, Shaun Deeb bet from the big blind and Joey Couden called.
Both players checked on the 7♥ turn and then Deeb check-called a bet from Couden on the 3♠ river.
"Jack," Couden said as he turend over J♣5♠. Deeb couldn't beat it and mucked.
A couple of hands later, Couden raised on the button and called a three-bet from Deeb.
Couden called a bet from Deeb on the 7♦7♥3♠ flop and then raised a bet from Deeb on the 9♦ turn. Deeb called.
Deeb check-called a bet from Couden on the 6♠ river and Couden tabled Q♦6♦ for a whiffed flush draw, but a rivered pair of sixes.
Deeb slammed the table in frustration and Couden was sent the large pot to take over a solid lead.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Pot-Limit Omaha
Shaun Deeb raised his button to 600,000, and Joey Couden tossed in defending chips from the big blind.
The duo checked through the K♥10♦9♥ flop and 5♥ turn to arrive on the 7♥ river.
Couden loaded up a bet of 700,000 and threw it into the middle. Deeb quickly called, but was unable to beat the K♦J♥4♥6♦ of Couden and mucked his hand.
Level 33
Limit Flop/Draw: 200,000-400,000 Blinds, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 100,000 Ante, 100,000 Bring-In, 400,000 Completion, 400,000-800,000 Limits
Pot-Limit & No-Limit: 100,000/200,000 Ante, 200,000-300,000 Blinds
Omaha Hi-Lo
Shaun Deeb raised on the button and Joey Couden called.
Couden check-called a bet from Deeb on the 6♠K♦5♠ flop and then led out for a bet on the J♣ turn. Deeb called.
The J♥ paired the board on the river and Deeb folded as Couden reached for chips.
