The ultimate day of Occasion #3: $500 Business Staff No-Restrict Maintain’em on the 2026 World Collection of Poker (WSOP) noticed 136 hopeful gamers return to the felt from a beginning discipline of 906, every chasing the dream of capturing a coveted WSOP gold bracelet. With all returning gamers already assured a minimal payout of $1,011, the tempo of play was relentless from the outset, with eliminations coming rapidly all through the day.
Whereas lots of the rivals have been no strangers to lengthy hours on the on line casino ground, the grind of event poker offered a special type of problem. Together with the distinguished bracelet, the $64,083 first-place prize, and accompanying bragging rights, there was loads of motivation for the remaining discipline.
Main the cost firstly of the day was Jerome Neppl, a poker vendor from New Mexico, although regardless of holding the chip lead, he nonetheless confronted a tricky highway towards a decided discipline of contenders.
Neppl maintained a centered and severe demeanor all through the day, however his feelings have been evident after securing the victory by defeating Sean Hamrick in heads-up play. The win marked simply his second profession reside event money, as Neppl beforehand had simply $613 in poker earnings.
Occasion #3: $500 Business Staff No-Restrict Maintain’em Closing Desk Outcomes
1Jerome NepplUnited States$64,083
2Sean HamrickUnited States$42,680
3Skyler HalamaUnited States$29,678
4Michael SchlittlerUnited States$20,988
5Nicholas BaldevUnited States$15,098
6Andre WeltBrazil$11,052
7Antony DiepChina$8,235
8Armando Viramontes SernaUnited States$6,247
9Jessica OdomUnited States$4,828

Winner’s Response
Regardless of incomes a career-defining win and the accompanying payday, he plans to proceed dealing on the WSOP this summer time. His buddies joked about him carrying his newly received bracelet whereas working the tables and laughed concerning the reactions he may obtain from gamers chasing the exact same prize.
The primary individual Neppl known as after his victory was his girlfriend, Skye Waring. Although she had been asleep when he reached out, she was thrilled to listen to the information. The couple is making ready for a transfer to Florida as they appear to start a brand new chapter away from New Mexico.
“This cash is life-changing and can assist me get debt-free,” Neppl stated.
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Neppl’s victory was notably spectacular provided that Day 1 chip leaders hardly ever go on to win a event, not to mention attain the ultimate desk. His potential to keep up his place all through two lengthy days of competitors highlighted each his endurance and composure beneath stress. When requested if dealing had helped develop that stamina, Neppl credited it extra to his pure disposition, saying he has all the time been in a position to work lengthy hours with little sleep. Nonetheless, he admitted to feeling some nerves firstly of Day 2 and puzzled whether or not he would have the ability to maintain his deep run.
These issues rapidly light as Neppl spent a lot of the day close to the highest of the chip counts, solely briefly surrendering the lead through the night. One of many pivotal moments got here when his journey queens held up towards Skyler Halama on a harmful board, permitting him to construct a commanding chip benefit. All through the event, Neppl balanced aggression with endurance, incessantly making use of stress and choosing up uncontested pots to steadily enhance his stack.
When requested whether or not dealing has improved his poker recreation, Neppl pointed to his potential to acknowledge bodily tells and betting patterns.
“You may spot tells, similar to if they’ll fold or play,” he stated. He additionally credited the career with strengthening his endurance and educating him the worth of perseverance. Past the technical features of the sport, Neppl stated he notably enjoys dealing to pleasant gamers who deliver optimistic power to the desk.

Day 2 Motion
Two of PokerNews personal reporters, Tyler Boyer eradicated in 18th place ($2,083) and Brett Slezak despatched out quick after in sixteenth place ($2,496), made deep runs to achieve the ultimate two tables.
A memorable second through the recreation was when Bobby Sanchez hit a royal flush versus Isaac Ebrom. Sadly, that luck didn’t carry him to the ultimate, however he nonetheless had a pleasant run, ending forty eighth ($1,370).
The ultimate desk started at a measured tempo, with gamers fastidiously defending their stacks as they sought to climb the payout ladder. As the sector narrowed, nonetheless, eliminations got here in speedy succession. In the end, the event got here all the way down to a heads-up battle between Las Vegas resident Hamrick and Neppl.
Neppl entered the ultimate desk with momentum, having held the chip lead since Day 1 and managed a lot of the motion all through the event. Hamrick, in the meantime, took a extra affected person method, expertly navigating a brief stack to safe his place among the many closing two rivals.
Throughout heads-up play, Hamrick steadily chipped away at Neppl’s benefit and mounted a severe problem. Ultimately, nonetheless, Neppl’s relentless aggression proved decisive, permitting him to prevail and seize the title.
That wraps up protection of World Collection of Poker Occasion #3: $500 Business Staff No-Restrict Maintain’em, however keep tuned to PokerNews for persevering with protection from the remainder of the 2026 WSOP.













