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Event #1: $5,000 NLH
Day 2 Completed
2026 U.S. Poker Open
Event #1: $5,000 NLH
Day: 2
Event Info
2026 U.S. Poker Open
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 2
Buy-in
$5,000
Prize Pool
$465,000
Total Entries
93
Level
22
Blinds
75,000 / 125,000
Ante
125,000
Entries
1
Players Left
1
Players Left 1 / 93
Filter
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante
Jeremy Ausmus had nearly half the chips in play with five left at the start of Day 2 of Event #1: $5,000 NLH at the 2026 U.S. Poker Open, and he had significantly more than that when he got to heads-up play with Brock Wilson. But not even Ausmus could stop the red-hot Wilson, who won his third PokerGO event in about a month's time and the top prize of $120,900.
The first event of the USPO in Las Vegas drew 93 runners for a prize pool of $465,000. Ausmus was in control for most of the final table, which also included Justin Zaki, Natalie Ferguson and Rodger Johnson, but 2026 has been all Wilson after he won two events and the overall series title at last month's PokerGO Cup.
"I'm definitely running good," Wilson told PokerNews in a winner's interview. "I feel like when you're winning it's also easier to go with your reads, so I'm definitely going with a little more of my gut. It's been working out. So it feels really good when you ... do what your gut wants you to do rather than just what you're supposed to do."
Event #1: $5,000 NLH Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Wilson | United States | $120,900 |
| 2 | Jeremy Ausmus | United States | $76,725 |
| 3 | Justin Zaki | United States | $55,800 |
| 4 | Natalie Ferguson | United States | $41,850 |
| 5 | Rodger Johnson | United States | $32,550 |
| 6 | Chino Rheem | United States | $23,250 |
| 7 | Kent Stephens | United States | $18,600 |
Going With His Gut
The action moved fast on Day 2 with just five players remaining, and it started with Ferguson flopping a set of queens to ladder past Johnson.
Ferguson then fell in fourth when her queen-jack was dominated by Wilson's king-queen. After that, Ausmus knocked out Zaki to set up what looked like it could be a quick heads-up match against the short-stacked Wilson.
But that isn't how it went down. Wilson doubled up after a roller coaster runout that saw both players flopping pairs, Ausmus turning two pair, and Wilson rivering a better two pair. That gave Wilson life before a second crucial double where he made a big hero-call with fourth pair.
"That's an example of a spot that I was like, 'You know what, my gut's served me well recently. I'm going to just continue to do it until it fails.' And fortunately, in that spot he was bluffing," Wilson said.
Wilson was in the driver's seat from there ahead of a cooler that finished off Ausmus, who flopped top pair against Wilson's trips before eventually calling a river jam.
Someone In His Corner
Wilson had someone in his corner, literally, as he played out the final table in the middle of the PokerGO Studio. His girlfriend, fellow poker pro Cherish Andrews, was seated at an adjacent table playing Event #2 and periodically sweated the action.
A little over a year ago, Andrews stood in nearly the exact spot that Wilson gave his interview as she accepted the GPI Female Player of the Year award, giving a speech that included some kind words about her supportive boyfriend.
"It's awesome," Wilson said about having Andrews for support. "We just connect on so many levels, but having a (shared) poker sort of understanding is just even more than you can really ask for in a girlfriend."
"She's not running the best right now, but I think you'll see me or her in the winner's circle again, hopefully soon."
That wraps up PokerNews coverage of Event #1, but check out the live reporting hub for other coverage of the USPO in Las Vegas.
*Photos courtesy of PokerGO and Antonio Abrego
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante
Brock Wilson is continuing his PokerGO heater as he took down Event #1: $5,000 NLH at the 2026 U.S. Poker Open for $120,900.
Stay tuned for a full recap and winner's interview.
Event #1: $5,000 NLH Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Wilson | United States | $120,900 |
| 2 | Jeremy Ausmus | United States | $76,725 |
| 3 | Justin Zaki | United States | $55,800 |
| 4 | Natalie Ferguson | United States | $41,850 |
| 5 | Rodger Johnson | United States | $32,550 |
| 6 | Chino Rheem | United States | $23,250 |
| 7 | Kent Stephens | United States | $18,600 |
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante
Jeremy Ausmus checked on the flop of 3♣9♥3♠ and Brock Wilson bet 150,000. Ausmus check-raised to 350,000 and Wilson called. Both players then checked on the J♦ turn.
Ausmus bet 600,000 on the 6♥ river and Wilson raised to 2,000,000 to put him all in for less. Ausmus used one of his final time banks and called.
Wilson turned over 10♥3♥ for trips and knew he was good before even seeing Ausmus' hand. He got up to shake Ausmus' hand as he turned over 9♣5♦ to be eliminated in second place for $76,725.
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/125,000, 125,000 ante
Brock Wilson bet 875,000 from the big blind on the board of A♦8♦3♣9♥ and Jeremy Ausmus called.
Wilson then used a time bank before betting 3,600,000 on the 5♠ river with just a single chip behind. Ausmus used a time bank of his own before calling.
Wilson showed A♥7♣ to beat the Q♥9♦ of Ausmus, who thought that Wilson had bet 2,700,000.
Level: 22
Blinds: 75,000/125,000
Ante: 125,000
Level 21
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
On a board of A♠K♥J♠, Brock Wilson checked and Jeremy Ausmus bet 200,000. Wilson called.
Wilson then led out for 100,000 on the Q♠ turn and Ausmus called. Wilson checked on the 5♣ river and Ausmus put his opponent to the test by sliding our 4,000,000 to put Wilson all in.
Wilson used three-time banks and quiety said "if I call and lose this is winner's tilt" before calling.
"You got it," Ausmus said in defeat as he tabled 7♠3♣ for seven high before Wilson showed J♣6♣ to double up after making a big call with fourth pair.
Level 21
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Brock Wilson was all in for 900,000 against Jeremy Ausmus.
Brock Wilson: A♥J♠ 
Jeremy Ausmus: 10♥8♥
The flop of A♦8♠Q♣ kept Wilson in front, but the 10♠ turn gave Ausmus two pair. However, the rollercoaster wasn't over yet as the J♥ river landed to give Wilson a better two pair to double up.
Level 21
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Getting to a river with around 1,200,000 in the middle, Jeremy Ausmus bet 600,000 on the board of 9♣J♣10♦3♦4♣ and Brock Wilson used two time banks before calling.
Ausmus announced a jack and showed J♥5♥ as Wilson mucked in defeat.
