Darren Rabinowitz Claims Second WSOP Bracelet, Denies Phil Hellmuth Record

American poker player Darren Rabinowitz secured his second World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet, triumphing in Event #99: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold’em. His victory came at the expense of poker legend Phil Hellmuth, who was seeking to extend his record with an 18th bracelet. The win earned Rabinowitz $695,256.

A Comeback Story

Rabinowitz’s path to the bracelet was marked by resilience. Just days prior, he experienced a significant setback in the WSOP Main Event, being eliminated in 145th place due to an unlucky “two-outer.” Despite the disappointment, Rabinowitz maintained a focused mindset, eager to continue playing. “I can’t believe it worked out so well. It’s crazy,” he commented, reflecting on his ability to bounce back.

The tournament itself was characterized by a rapid pace of eliminations from the outset. Players like Renan Meneguetti, Sean Winter, Niall Farrell, Artur Martirosian, and Jennifer Harman were among those who exited early. The fast structure continued to chip away at the field, with notable players such as Ren Lin, Brian Rast, David Peters, Nick Guagenti, and Tom Hall falling as the tournament progressed towards the final table. Adam Hendrix’s elimination in 10th place finalized the lineup for the final eight players.

Battling for Bracelets

As the final table neared, the narrative surrounding Phil Hellmuth’s pursuit of his 18th bracelet intensified. Hellmuth, who entered the final stage as the chip leader, drew a significant crowd and considerable attention. With each player eliminated at the final table, the anticipation for a historic win grew. However, Rabinowitz emerged as the final obstacle between Hellmuth and his record-extending title.

The heads-up match between Rabinowitz and Hellmuth spanned over an hour. Rabinowitz initially built a significant chip lead, but Hellmuth managed to double up, leveling the stacks. Despite the pressure and the crowd’s support for Hellmuth, Rabinowitz remained composed. He described the situation as a “pressure cooker” and focused on making sound decisions.

“Every decision felt so important,” Rabinowitz stated. “Whenever I started to feel nervous or anxious, I’d put my headphones in, walk around, message a few friends and just try to stay in my own world.” This strategy allowed him to regain control and steadily grind down Hellmuth’s stack. Ultimately, Hellmuth committed his chips with bottom pair, which was not enough to overcome Rabinowitz’s top pair, securing the bracelet for Rabinowitz.

Key facts

Why this matters for PlayVideoPoker readers:

This news highlights a significant event in the professional poker world, particularly focusing on the World Series of Poker, a premier tournament series. While the game was No-Limit Hold’em, the high-stakes environment, the pursuit of major titles, and the strategic play involved are of interest to video poker enthusiasts who appreciate the competitive and strategic aspects of poker in general. The outcome also underscores the drama and narrative that unfolds in major poker tournaments, providing engaging content for fans of the game.

Source: PokerNews – https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/07/darren-rabinowitz-denies-hellmuth-for-second-wsop-bracelet-51907.htm