Braxton Dunaway Secures Second WSOP Bracelet in Thrilling $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em Event

Braxton Dunaway, fresh off his third-place finish in last year's WSOP Main Event, has added another prestigious gold bracelet to his collection. The American poker player emerged victorious in Event #26: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em at the 2026 World Series of Poker, overcoming a field of 968 entries to claim the $288,064 top prize.

The final day of the tournament was a dynamic affair, which Dunaway himself characterized as a "roller coaster." He entered Day 3 third in chips among the final 12 players, navigating through a challenging final table to ultimately defeat France's Erwann Pecheux in heads-up play.

A Second Bracelet, A New Level

Winning a World Series of Poker bracelet is a significant achievement, but securing a second one propels a player into an elite category. "It’s validation to your peers and to yourself that you can finish. Again," Dunaway commented shortly after his victory. This latest triumph adds to an already impressive resume, notably his $4 million score for a third-place finish in the 2025 WSOP Main Event.

Dunaway acknowledged that while the Main Event earnings were substantial, the WSOP bracelet holds a different kind of significance. "I definitely think having these earnings, people click on your name. It can help or hurt you, but it gives you a little more respect. They know that you can play," he explained.

The Road to Victory

The path to Dunaway's second bracelet was not without its twists and turns. The final table saw rapid eliminations early on, including a double elimination by Erwann Pecheux with pocket aces. Dunaway chipped away at the competition, scoring key knockouts against Sami Bechahed and Albert Calderon.

There were moments where Dunaway faced adversity, such as when Briant Alavez doubled through him. However, he demonstrated resilience, winning crucial coin flips and eventually eliminating Alavez. The final stages of the tournament also saw a significant cooler where Pecheux's set of aces cracked Yaniv Peretz's two pair, giving Pecheux a heads-up chip lead.

Despite the disadvantage going into heads-up play, Dunaway quickly closed the gap and, through a series of favorable runouts, ultimately secured the win.

French Contingent in the Mix

France had a strong presence at the final stages of the tournament, with multiple players reaching the final 12. Erwann Pecheux, who finished as runner-up, was seeking his first bracelet and matched his 2015 runner-up performance, earning $191,997. Flavien Guenan, another French contender, noted a near-thirteen-year reunion with Pecheux at a final table, though he was eliminated early in 12th place.

Looking Ahead

With the summer of poker still in full swing, Dunaway is already looking towards his next goals. "Definitely! I need back-to-back final tables! I’m excited, I’m gonna play more now," he stated, indicating his intention to compete in more events and potentially make a run at a third bracelet.

Datos clave
Event: WSOP Event #26: $2,000 No-Limit Hold'em
Winner: Braxton Dunaway
Prize: $288,064
Runner-up: Erwann Pecheux
Field Size: 968 entries

This development is significant for PlayVideoPoker readers as it highlights the continued success of prominent poker players in major live tournaments. It provides insights into the competitive landscape of professional poker and the pursuit of high-stakes titles, which often influence broader poker strategy and player trends.

Fuente: PokerNews – https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/06/braxton-dunaway-wins-wsop-event-26-51489.htm

Datos clave