Sebastian Pauli Claims First WSOP Bracelet in $1,500 Razz Event

Sebastian Pauli has captured his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet, emerging victorious in Event #40: $1,500 Razz. The German poker player triumphed over a field of 519 entries at the Horseshoe & Paris Las Vegas, ultimately defeating his countryman Dennis Weiss in a heads-up showdown.

The victory marks a significant milestone for Pauli, who adds a coveted WSOP bracelet to his poker accolades. He earned a top prize of $135,564 for his performance in the challenging Razz format.

Razz, a lowball stud poker variant, requires players to aim for the lowest possible hand to win the pot, adding a unique strategic layer to the traditional poker game.

WSOP 2026: Event Details

The 57th annual World Series of Poker is underway from May 26 to July 15, featuring 100 gold bracelet events at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The final tables of many events are being streamed live on the official WSOP YouTube channel.

Event #40, the $1,500 Razz tournament, spanned three days from June 12-14. Players started with a 25,000 chip stack, with initial levels lasting 40 minutes and increasing to 60 minutes for subsequent days. Registration was open for the first nine levels.

The tournament generated a prize pool of $688,972, distributed among the top 78 finishers. This represented an increase in participation compared to the previous year’s $1,500 Razz event, which saw 472 entries.

Pauli’s Path to Victory

The final day of the tournament saw six players return to battle for the bracelet. Among them were seasoned players like Adam Owen, Jon Turner, and Dennis Weiss. Sebastian Pauli was also in contention, representing one of the two German hopes for a bracelet in this event.

Pauli navigated through a competitive final table, ultimately facing fellow German Dennis Weiss in the heads-up match. Weiss, who was also seeking his second bracelet of the series, secured a substantial payout of $90,354 for his runner-up finish.

Other Notable Finalists

While Pauli and Weiss dominated the top spots, the final table also included strong competitors. The deep run by German players highlights the growing international presence and talent in high-stakes poker tournaments.

Key facts

The success of Sebastian Pauli in this WSOP Razz event provides an exciting development for video poker and poker strategy enthusiasts. While Razz is a distinct game from video poker, the strategic thinking and tournament dynamics involved are of keen interest to the broader poker community. The World Series of Poker continues to be a premier stage for poker excellence, showcasing a wide array of poker disciplines and attracting top talent from around the globe.

Source: https://www.hochgepokert.com/2026/06/15/wsop-40-1500-razz/