Brazil's Raphael Caixeta claimed the first bracelet of the 2026 WSOP Online at GGPoker, taking down the $700 Kick-Off event and earning over $207,000 plus a WSOP Paradise package
The 2026 WSOP Online series on GGPoker began with a major result as Brazilian player Raphael Caixeta secured the first gold bracelet of the year. Caixeta outlasted a field of 3,607 entries in the $700 buy-in 7th Annual WSOP Kick-Off bounty event, earning a total payout of $207,167 and a $30,000 package to the live Super Main Event at WSOP Paradise in The Bahamas.
Event Results and Prize Breakdown
The Kick-Off event generated a prize pool of $2,398,655, with 356 players reaching the bounty stage and locking up a minimum cash. Caixeta's victory included $80,255 in bounties and $126,912 in standard prize money. Runner-up Khaw "Apacgg" Chin Wah from New Zealand collected $160,310, while third-place finisher Lichu89 from Argentina took home $104,258. The final table featured players from Brazil, New Zealand, Argentina, Poland, China, Singapore, Austria, Norway, and China, reflecting the international reach of the WSOP Online series.
Notable Performances and Field Composition
The event attracted a mix of established online tournament regulars and well-known names. Among those who cashed were Aliaksei Boika, Vlad Darie, Bernhard Binder, Thomas Muehloecker, Leonard Maue, Kevin Martin, Niklas Astedt, Pavel Plesuv, Joseph Cheong, Jessica Teusl, and David Williams. The structure allowed for a deep run by a diverse group of players, with the bounty format rewarding aggressive play and knockout eliminations throughout the tournament.
Upcoming WSOP Online Events
The 2026 WSOP Online at GGPoker is scheduled to award a total of 33 bracelets before the series concludes. Attention now shifts to the $300 Gladiators of Poker event, which is set to finish on August 17. Silvio Costa leads the final table in that tournament, with additional bracelet events to follow in the coming weeks. Players can review the full schedule and event details on the official WSOP Online and PokerNews websites.
In poker tournaments, the prize pool is determined by the total number of entries and the buy-in amount, minus any administrative fees. Bounty events split the prize pool between standard payouts and rewards for eliminating other players, creating additional incentives for aggressive play. Bracelet events at the WSOP Online are recognized as official World Series of Poker titles, carrying significant prestige for winners and often including packages to live events as part of the top prizes.
