Knicks in Five? Nick's Got Eight! Schulman Justifies HoF Induction with Eighth WSOP Bracelet

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Jun 13, 2026 4 min read

"I dedicate a lot of my life to the game, I feel like I am just getting into my prime."

Those words from Nick Schulman may well strike fear into those above him in the World Series of Poker bracelet counts.

At just 41 years old, Schulman has taken down another World Series of Poker (WSOP) event at the Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas, besting a 780-player field in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E to claim his eighth career bracelet, as well as taking home $183,366, which may or may not last long.

"Tomorrow [is] Saturday, the UFC card as well [as the NBA Finals], so I'm going to lose a bunch of money there."

Event #37: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Final Table Results

Winner's Reaction

The win marks Schulman's first bracelet win since being inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame at the 2025 WSOP, which he joked must offer reassurance to those who voted for him.

"They're always also special. But I guess it's cool to show that, you know, they made a good decision. I don't want to be the delusional sort of player hanging on, but I can feel it, that I'm finally starting to kind of come into my own a little bit."

Remarkably, this is also the fourth consecutive summer that Schulman has climbed to the summit of a WSOP event, and today's win also comes off the back of a second-place finish earlier in the summer. Those facts bode the obvious questions, how long can Schulman go, and how high can he climb?

"I might have to get [Hellmuth's] ass"

"Player of the Year has never motivated me because I just don't have that endurance to just go.

"Like it's never been something that I thought I could really win. However, if it kind of accidentally happens. Like, don't get me wrong, I'll be here playing, but I'm not really chasing that."

"There's no target number [of bracelets], but it's certainly not surpassing Hellmuth. That's just not on my mind...

"...But, you know, if we're if we get close, I might have to get his ass."

Final Day Action

With the final table in sight for the returning players, it was a cautious beginning to the day, with start-of-day short stack Thomas Argyros the lone elimination of the opening hour.

Shortly after his departure, however, the pace picked up as Ryan Parsa and Matthew Grapenthien were eliminated within a few hands of each other.

Returning from the break, Bart Hanson was the next to fall, with Philip Sternheimer following shortly after in 10th place to bring the tournament to the unofficial final table.

Schulman began the final table as chip leader, but Jonathan Nebbout quickly wrestled control of the counts after scooping a four-way Razz pot.

In keeping with the day’s theme, chips were passed around without any major changes in the standings. Ryan Caskey was eventually the next player eliminated, with William Klevitz following him to the rail soon after.

By then, Nebbout had built a commanding lead, but the momentum shifted following Kent Gugelman's seventh-place exit. Schulman and Nebbout clashed in a pivotal pot that saw Schulman move back into first place.

Clayton Mozdzen then eliminated Raymond Smego-Barranco to close the gap on Schulman. Still, the eventual champion quickly responded by dispatching Mike Wattel just five minutes later, extending his advantage at the top of the counts.

When the final four returned from the dinner break, it took another two hours for the next elimination to arrive. During that stretch, Schulman and Mozdzen traded the chip lead before Schulman seized control, recording back-to-back knockouts, the first of which sent Joe Brindle to the rail in fourth place.

Schulman's dominance continued from there. He was also responsible for bringing the tournament to heads-up play, eliminating Jonathan Nebbout in third place after Nebbout had battled back to near parity during three-handed play.

Heads-up proved a brief affair. Schulman raced out to a five-to-one chip lead within the opening hands and, although Mozdzen found a couple of double-ups, he was unable to build any sustained momentum.

Ultimately, it took a cooler to end the match. Mozdzen held a significant lead in the final hand, but

reeled him in on seventh street to claim the title, the bracelet and $183,366.

And if you're looking for betting tips for the weekend, perhaps avoid Schulman's UFC suggestions, but he does have a dead cert for the NBA Finals...

"Knicks in five BABY!"

• Tags WSOP26 Nick Schulman Clayton Mozdzen Jonathan Nebbout Joe Brindle Mike Wattel Raymond Smego-Barranco Kent Gugelman William Klevitz

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