Richard Alsup Captures Second WSOP Bracelet After Outlasting Record 11,933 Entries in Monster Stack Event

Richard Alsup emerged as the champion of the 2026 WSOP $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em tournament, a result that came after he navigated through the largest field in the event's history and secured a career-high payout of $1,302,125 along with his second career bracelet. The 57th annual World Series of Poker continues through mid-July at venues across Las Vegas, with this particular tournament drawing participants throughout late May and into June 2026.

Record-Breaking Field Sets New Standard

The $1,500 buy-in Monster Stack attracted 11,933 total entries, a number that surpassed all previous editions and created one of the most crowded starting grids seen at the series so far. Players registered across multiple starting flights that ran from late May into early June, and the structure rewarded those who built deep stacks early while managing the extended play that comes with such volume. Official tournament results and live updates tracked every elimination, and the sheer size meant the money bubble burst later than in prior years, pushing surviving players deeper into the schedule.

Data from the series shows this field size reflected growing participation trends at mid-stakes events, where the combination of a larger starting stack and extended blind levels continues to draw both recreational and professional entrants. Observers note that the payout structure distributed more than $15 million in total prize money, with the top spots carrying the heaviest weight.

Alsup's Path Through the Field

Alsup, who already held one WSOP bracelet from an earlier year, entered the final stages with a stack that allowed him to apply pressure at key moments. He advanced through successive days by winning critical pots and avoiding confrontations that would have risked his tournament life prematurely. By the time the field reached the final table, he had positioned himself among the leaders, a spot he maintained through calculated decisions rather than aggressive swings.

Those who've followed his career know Alsup built his reputation on consistent deep runs rather than flashy highlights, and this event followed that pattern. He entered heads-up play against Salvatore Dicarlo with momentum from several key eliminations in the preceding hours.

Heads-Up Confrontation Decides the Outcome

The heads-up match between Alsup and Dicarlo extended across multiple hours, featuring swings that tested both players' resolve. Alsup ultimately claimed the victory when his hand held against Dicarlo's all-in effort, ending the tournament and securing the top prize. Dicarlo received the second-place payout, a result that still marked one of his strongest showings at the series.

Figures released after the event confirm the final payouts aligned with the published structure, and the heads-up portion drew attention because both competitors had navigated the record field without facing each other until that stage. The confrontation highlighted differences in playing styles, with Alsup maintaining a tighter range in several critical spots while Dicarlo sought to apply pressure through larger bets.

Context Within the Ongoing 2026 Series

This Monster Stack result forms part of the broader 57th WSOP schedule that runs from May 26 through July 15, 2026. Multiple bracelet events occur daily across Las Vegas properties, and the series has already produced several notable outcomes by mid-June. The Monster Stack stands out because of its field size and the fact that it awarded a second bracelet to a player who had waited years between victories.

Statistics compiled during the series indicate that mid-stakes events like this one consistently produce the highest entry counts, while higher buy-ins draw fewer but more experienced participants. Alsup's win adds to the list of repeat bracelet winners in 2026, a group that continues to expand as the schedule progresses.

Financial and Career Impact

The $1,302,125 first-place prize represents Alsup's largest career cash, surpassing previous earnings and moving him higher on the all-time money list for WSOP events. This payout arrives at a point when the series still has several weeks remaining, allowing him additional opportunities to build on the momentum. Dicarlo's runner-up finish also added substantially to his career totals, demonstrating that reaching the final stages of such a large field carries its own long-term value.

Those tracking player performance note that results from events with more than 10,000 entries often influence future tournament selections, as the experience of managing deep runs under pressure becomes a measurable factor in later decisions.

Conclusion

Richard Alsup's victory in the 2026 WSOP $1,500 Monster Stack stands as a clear marker within the ongoing series, one defined by the record entry count and the substantial payout that accompanied the win. The event concluded with Alsup defeating Salvatore Dicarlo in heads-up play after both players advanced through 11,933 total entries. As the 57th annual WSOP continues through July 15 in Las Vegas, this outcome adds another data point to the season's developing narrative of large fields and shifting leaderboards.