Justin Fawcett Wins The Only Double Board Bracelet At This Year's WSOP

For many, two cards in No-Limit Hold'em are enough to ignite the competitive fire. But for a select few, even four cards in standard Pot-Limit Omaha fall short of delivering the ultimate thrill. These are the players drawn to the high-octane environment of double board bomb pot PLO, a variant demanding not just skill but an almost prescient ability to navigate dual unknowns. It was in this electrifying arena that Justin Fawcett, already a WSOP bracelet winner, once again proved his mettle, capturing his second career gold bracelet in Event #83: $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot Pot-Limit Omaha.

Fawcett's triumph wasn't merely a win; it was a masterful navigation through a sprawling 1,673-entry field, the sole double board tournament on offer at the 2026 World Series of Poker. His reward for this feat? A coveted WSOP bracelet and a princely sum of $322,564, representing the lion's share of the impressive $2,220,907 prize pool. This total significantly outstripped last year's $1,927,530, underscoring the undeniable draw of the bomb pot format, even amidst external pressures.

The victory catapults Fawcett's live tournament earnings well past the seven-figure mark. The $322,564 payout also nearly equals his previous career-best score of $355,110, as documented by The Hendon Mob, cementing his status as a formidable force on the felt. Abdul Amer, Fawcett's heads-up opponent, put forth a valiant effort over three gruelling days of play, ultimately securing a highly respectable $214,946 for his runner-up finish.

Here are the final table results for Event #83: $1,500 Double Board Bomb Pot Pot-Limit Omaha:

| Place | Player | Country | Prize | | :---- | :----- | :------ | :---- | | 1 | Justin Fawcett | United States | $322,564 | | 2 | Abdul Amer | United States | $214,946 | | 3 | Hokyiu Lee | Hong Kong | $153,802 | | 4 | Julio Trimmer | Mexico | $111,414 | | 5 | Antoine Labat | France | $81,720 | | 6 | Daniel Walmsley | New Zealand | $60,701 | | 7 | Paul Fehlig | United States | $45,669 | | 8 | Jesse Lonis | United States | $34,806 |

Fawcett, no stranger to large-field tournaments, had previously claimed a bracelet in last year's $600 Ultra Stack. Yet, his journey into the world of Omaha was almost accidental. He recounted to *PokerNews* how he first encountered the four-card game while playing a hand for a friend. "Looked at four cards, then the board, then back at the cards. There are just so many possibilities," he recalled, a moment that sparked his fascination. This fascination led him to the Omaha cash game tables of his native Florida, where bomb pots were a regular feature on dealer changes.

Reflecting on the unique structure of Event #83, Fawcett commented, "It’s a great structure; there was so much play." This extended play, spanning three full days, perfectly suited his strengths. Having transitioned from cash games to tournaments, Fawcett is accustomed to marathon sessions, often "playing 50 hours in a row." This endurance proved a significant advantage, allowing him to observe his opponents tiring while he remained sharp. This edge, coupled with his remarkable closing record at the WSOP—two final tables, two bracelets—speaks volumes about his mental fortitude.

"When you get there, you just have this part in the back of your head that tells you, third is better than fourth, second is better than third," Fawcett explained, highlighting the incremental drive that propelled him past a field of talented opponents, including many seasoned PLO crushers. He was quick to acknowledge the crucial support system that underpinned his victory, crediting his parents, sister, and niece for their unwavering encouragement. His dedicated rail and masseuse, May, who stayed by his side for almost the entire tournament, also received special mention for their roles in his success.

Fawcett also extended gratitude to his friend Wayne, who provided invaluable guidance on shorter stack play, and John, his "mental game coach," who offered strategic insights during the bomb pot streets. His Florida poker comrades and friends from his maiden bracelet win were also recognized, underscoring the collective effort behind his individual triumph.

The final day of action began with nineteen hopefuls, quickly narrowing to the final two tables. Brian Hunkins was the first to depart, followed swiftly by Matthew Baiza. Yuanting Wang soon joined them, succumbing to two boats in a multi-way pot. A two-hour lull then preceded Christopher Amaral's 16th-place exit at the hands of Julio Trimmer, earning him $13,414.

Christopher Wood, who skillfully nursed a short stack throughout the final day, eventually finished 15th for $16,683. Andrew Ung, Ali Sheikholeslami, and Jacob Fishbein each claimed the same payout. Ung was scooped by Hokyiu Lee, Sheikholeslami's stack was chopped, and Fishbein, like Amaral, fell to Trimmer. Jared Koppel missed the world entirely on his final hand, shortly before Timothy Frazin, with just 10,000 chips, got it in but couldn't chop against Daniel Walmsley. Both Koppel and Frazin earned $21,033.

The unofficial final table saw Jean-Marc Thomas, the shortest stack, demonstrate remarkable resilience, chopping his way to survival multiple times before his top set was ultimately cracked. Jesse Lonis and Paul Fehlig, who had both chip-led earlier stages, were the next to fall, their stacks divided among their tablemates. Daniel Walmsley, the New Zealander, followed, his top pair rivered by Fawcett, sending him home.

Antoine Labat finished fifth, with Hokyiu Lee securing a flush and a boat against him. Julio Trimmer placed fourth, eliminated by two-pair and king-high on a three-of-a-kind board. Three-handed play was a fierce battle, with the chip lead constantly shifting. Hokyiu Lee, who had an incredible summer with two runner-up finishes and now a third-place, eventually lost a massive cooler to Abdul Amer, being narrowly out-pipped on both boards. This left him short, and Amer soon delivered the final blow.

Heads-up play began with Abdul Amer holding a three-to-one chip lead. However, this advantage quickly evaporated as Fawcett scooped a series of small pots before a pivotal hand saw both players commit their stacks on the flop. Fawcett, holding a freeroll, hit his card on the river, seizing the chip lead. From there, he systematically ground down his opponent, sealing his second consecutive summer bracelet. This concludes *Rollers Den*'s coverage of Event #83, but stay tuned for more live updates from the rest of the series.