Matt Grapenthien Secures Second WSOP Bracelet in Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship

Matt Grapenthien has added a second World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet to his collection, emerging victorious in Event #75: the $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. The win, which earned him $415,648, highlights Grapenthien’s enduring skill in stud variants of poker, a discipline that has become increasingly niche in the modern game dominated by No-Limit Hold’em.

A Stud Specialist’s Triumph

While the poker landscape has largely shifted towards No-Limit Hold’em, Grapenthien has remained a prominent figure in stud games. This latest victory in the split-pot version of Seven Card Stud marks his second WSOP bracelet, both earned in high-stakes stud championship events. His first came in the 2014 WSOP $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship.

The 2026 WSOP tournament attracted 190 entries, generating a substantial prize pool of $1,767,000. Grapenthien navigated a competitive field to claim the title, with Jack Germaine finishing as the runner-up, earning $277,087.

Career Milestones

This latest win represents the largest live tournament score of Grapenthien’s career, pushing his total tournament earnings beyond the $1.5 million mark. Notably, four of his five largest career scores have been in stud events, underscoring his consistent performance and specialization in this poker format.

Grapenthien attributed his heads-up prowess to his extensive online experience playing short-handed and heads-up stud games. “I spent a very long time online playing short-handed and heads-up stud,” Grapenthien told PokerNews after his victory. “For many years, when I started playing poker, I would sit and wait for people to play me one-on-one. I have more experience than almost anybody heads-up in these games.”

The Path to Victory

The tournament saw 29 players successfully cash, with notable poker professionals such as Michael Moncek, Phil Ivey, Bryce Yockey, Calvin Anderson, Andrey Zhigalov, and Ryutaro Suzuki among those who reached the money. Maxx Coleman entered the final day as the chip leader, with Grapenthien positioned in the middle of the pack.

As the final table progressed, several key hands shaped the outcome. After Koji Fujimoto exited in eighth place, followed by Mark Rubbathan, Chris Brewer, Caitlin Comeskey, Walter Chambers, and Coleman (who finished third for $191,165), Grapenthien found himself heads-up against Jack Germaine.

Grapenthien recounted crucial moments in the heads-up match, including winning a significant pot with quad deuces. The championship was ultimately decided when Grapenthien’s running eights bested Germaine’s trip fives, securing the bracelet and the top prize.

Key facts

The significance of Grapenthien’s win extends beyond his personal achievements. It serves as a reminder of the enduring appeal and strategic depth of stud poker variants. For players who appreciate the intricacies of mixed games and older poker formats, Grapenthien’s success offers inspiration and a testament to specialized skill. His victory in a high-stakes championship event demonstrates that mastery in less mainstream poker disciplines can still lead to significant recognition and rewards on the world’s biggest poker stage.

Source: iGaming.org Poker News, https://igaming.org/poker-news/matt-grapenthien-wins-second-wsop-bracelet/