Eric Weber Claims First WSOP Bracelet in Ultra Stack Event

Eric Weber has captured his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, emerging victorious in Event #86: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold’em. The American player triumphed over a massive field of 8,007 entries at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, earning a career-best payday of $400,000.

The tournament generated a substantial prize pool of $4,035,528. Weber’s path to victory culminated in a heads-up battle against France’s Henry Benamram, which lasted nearly three full levels. Benamram secured $260,000 for his runner-up finish, while Mikko Torkki of Finland took third place, earning $193,000.

A Journey Inspired by Moneymaker

Weber’s poker journey began at a young age, playing casual games with family. The iconic victory of Chris Moneymaker at the WSOP in 2003 served as a significant inspiration. “When Moneymaker won the Main Event, I fell in love with the game,” Weber shared. “I’ve been coming to Vegas twice a year and every World Series, mostly playing the daily tournaments and grinding it out, hoping one day I’d be able to play bigger events.”

This win marks the realization of a long-held dream, achieved after years of consistent play in various WSOP events. Weber entered the final day of the Ultra Stack event in sixth chip position, facing a significant challenge to climb the ranks.

Navigating Key Competitors

A major hurdle for Weber during the final day was Sriharsha Doddapaneni of India, who had built a formidable stack early on. Doddapaneni was responsible for several eliminations, including that of Amit Kaushik. Weber managed a crucial double-up against Doddapaneni with pocket sevens, a moment that provided him with the necessary momentum.

Weber admitted that Doddapaneni was a player he had particular concern about due to his extensive experience in high-stakes games. The turning point in their rivalry came when Doddapaneni, after losing a significant pot to Benamram, shoved all-in with ace-jack against Weber’s pocket kings. This “cooler” resulted in a massive double-up for Weber, propelling him into the chip lead and ultimately contributing to Doddapaneni’s fourth-place finish.

Building Momentum Towards Victory

While Weber navigated the challenges, Henry Benamram was also making a strong push, accumulating chips and eliminating several players, including Daniel Biddle, Glenn Thompson, Michael Helander, and Mikko Torkki. Benamram’s aggressive play at the final table saw him amass the most eliminations, leading him to heads-up play with an initial chip advantage.

However, Weber managed to even the stacks, setting the stage for a closely contested final duel. Weber adopted a more resilient mindset compared to previous deep runs, focusing on moving past lost hands and maintaining composure. This approach proved beneficial as the heads-up match progressed.

“I could tell after a while that my opponent was getting a little fatigued and tired, so I was just waiting for him to make mistakes,” Weber commented. The final battle was a grind, with momentum shifting multiple times. Eventually, Benamram made a decisive move, shoving all-in with jack-nine, only to be met by Weber’s pocket kings. The board offered no relief for Benamram, and Weber’s kings held to secure the championship title.

A Dream Realized

Weber revealed that he had almost missed the opportunity to win the bracelet, as he was originally scheduled to depart on the final day. “I was actually supposed to go home this morning, but we made it to the final day. I had to change my flight and book another room.” He emphasized the significance of winning a WSOP bracelet, stating, “Beyond the money, it’s every poker player’s dream to win the bracelet. So whether it’s the main event, or this event, it doesn’t matter. A bracelet is a bracelet.”

The celebration plans are modest, with Weber looking forward to dinner and drinks before his early flight the next day.

Key facts

This victory is a significant moment for poker enthusiasts, particularly those who follow the World Series of Poker. It highlights how dedication and perseverance can lead to major achievements in the tournament poker circuit, offering inspiration to players who participate in similar events.

Source: PokerNews – Eric Weber Goes From Kitchen Table Games to Winning WSOP Bracelet (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/07/eric-weber-wins-wsop-ultra-stack-51826.htm?utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=homefeed&utm_source=rss)