Matthew Shepsky Captures First WSOP Bracelet in $1k Mystery Bounty PLO

Matthew Shepsky, primarily a Pot-Limit Omaha cash game player, has earned his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet by winning Event #87: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha. The tournament attracted a substantial field of 4,764 entrants, creating a total prize pool of $4,192,320. Shepsky’s victory secured him a top prize of $305,000, in addition to over $20,000 in bounties collected throughout the event.

This win marks a significant milestone in Shepsky’s live poker career, pushing his total earnings close to the $2 million mark and surpassing his previous career-best score of $262,300.

Dominating the Final Table

The final table saw Shepsky assert significant control over the competition. By the time only five players remained, he had accumulated half of the chips in play. His extensive experience in PLO cash games, which he has played exclusively since 2013, proved instrumental in his tournament success.

“I started playing PLO cash in 2013,” Shepsky told PokerNews. “I’ve only played PLO cash since then; I’m primarily a cash player.” He explained how this background influenced his tournament strategy, allowing him to maintain pressure on opponents even with less-than-ideal hands, a tactic often employed in cash games and sit-and-gos.

Mystery Bounty Strategy

Shepsky’s familiarity with “Squid Game” cash sessions also provided an edge in the mystery bounty format. This experience helped him to “gauge who was willing to blow their whole stacks for a bounty, and who was playing a little more carefully,” enabling him to play both his cards and his opponents effectively.

The path to victory involved overcoming strong competition, including Alex Manzano, who finished as the runner-up, earning $204,000 plus any bounties. Manzano put up a strong fight, nearly doubling his bracelet count, but ultimately fell short in the heads-up phase.

Key Moments of the Final Table

The final table saw several notable eliminations. Shawn Stroke, who began the day as chip leader, was the first to depart. Andre Rieder and Nick Pupillo were also eliminated by Shepsky. Wojciech Barzantny, known as the “bounty king,” was also outlasted.

A pivotal hand occurred during five-handed play when Shepsky made a crucial hero call against Jeremy Kerbel with a low flush on a paired board, taking a significant portion of the chips. After Mark Radoja’s elimination in fifth, Shepsky continued to build his stack, eventually eliminating Christopher Vitch.

The heads-up match against Alex Manzano concluded swiftly. In the first hand of their showdown, Shepsky’s nines and queens held up against Manzano’s hand, securing the championship and the coveted WSOP bracelet.

“I’m ecstatic,” Shepsky stated after his win. “There’s no better feeling than winning a tournament.” Following his victory, Shepsky plans to return to Chicago to celebrate with his family.

Key facts
| Player | Event | Prize |
|———————–|————————————-|————–|
| Matthew Shepsky | $1k Mystery Bounty PLO | $305,000+ |
| Alex Manzano | $1k Mystery Bounty PLO (Runner-up) | $204,000+ |
| Total Prize Pool | $1k Mystery Bounty PLO | $4,192,320 |

This development is relevant to PlayVideoPoker readers as it highlights a significant achievement in the live poker tournament scene, particularly within a Pot-Limit Omaha variant that includes a bounty element. It showcases the success of a player with a strong background in cash games transitioning to tournament victories, a narrative that can resonate with players interested in poker strategy and the broader poker world.

Source: PokerNews – Cash King Matthew Shepsky Adds WSOP Gold in $1k Mystery Bounty PLO (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/07/matthew-shepsky-wins-event-87-mystery-bounty-plo-bracelet-51842.htm?utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=homefeed&utm_source=rss)

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