With relentless precision and a marathon heads‑up duel against a close friend, Martirosian cemented his status at the apex of the high‑stakes world, extending his dominance at the 2026 WSOP with a $1.28 million win.
Las Vegas buzzed into Monday like electricity in the air: Artur Martirosian had done it again. At just 28, the Russian high‑roller machine added a fourth World Series of Poker bracelet to his name, coming out on top in Event #24 — the $25,000 Six‑Handed High Roller No‑Limit Hold’em — and banking $1,286,285. For those tracking his ascent, this wasn’t just another title — it was another affirmation of Martirosian’s unrelenting climb toward poker’s summit.
The Lede and the Long Grind
The $25,000 six‑max event drew 242 elite entries to create a $5,687,000 prize pool, with Martirosian entering the final table second in chips. From there, he asserted near‑total control — until a grueling heads‑up duel against friend and fellow crusher Pavel Plesuv tested every ounce of his reserve.
According to PokerNews, Martirosian “grinded and grinded,” remaining chip leader nearly the entire final table. The turning point came after a taxing eight‑hour session sealed by his cool call with pocket fours against Plesuv’s ace‑nine on a board of K‑T‑3‑Q‑5.
Card Player puts the win in perspective: it’s Martirosian’s fourth bracelet — all captured in just four years — and pushes his lifetime live earnings past the $40 million mark, making him the most successful Russian player in WSOP history.
Staking His Claim Against Elite Company
The final table read like a who’s‑who of the high‑stakes circuit. Four‑time bracelet winner Chance Kornuth, Austrian stars Marius Gierse and Klemens Roiter, Japanese standout Yosuke Miki, and U.S. pro Sean Winter — all were in the mix. Martirosian dismantled them one by one with surgical precision.
- Kornuth was eliminated sixth when his AK fell to Miki’s AQ — “running worse at the new table,” as PokerNews puts it.
- Gierse bowed out fifth after running into Martirosian’s nut flush over his two pair.
- Miki hit the rail fourth, as an AJ from Martirosian beat his AT.
- Winter, still chasing that elusive first bracelet, came in third after cracking a bluff but then bowing to Plesuv’s set of nines.
That sequence not only showcased Martirosian’s dominance but underscored his capacity to adapt to shifting dynamics and ruthless competition — a hallmark of champions.
Heads‑Up: Friend vs. Foe
Heads‑up play against Plesuv rattled the rails. The two friends traded blows, inevitably tilting toward Plesuv at one point, before Martirosian roared back to build a commanding 7:1 chip lead. In a poetic coin‑flip finish, he called with pocket fours, outlasting Plesuv’s ace‑nine — earning both the bracelet and high praise.
As he told PokerNews, Plesuv was “the best opponent from the final table, after me,” a line delivered with no shortage of respect or understatement. It captured the stakes of their battle and how Martirosian saw the field: immense talent, with himself standing just ahead.
Legacy in Motion
This win isn’t merely jewelry collection. With this fourth bracelet — including two in 2023 and a 2025 $25K Heads‑Up Championship — Martirosian is pushing the boundaries of high‑stakes longevity and excellence. Card Player notes this marks his eighth seven‑figure result and solidifies his spot near the top of the 2026 Player of the Year race.
Meanwhile, his dominance ties into the broader narrative of the 2026 WSOP — a festival of 100 bracelet events running May 26 through August 5, with icons rising and new stories forming every day. Martirosian’s triumph stands as a benchmark: a performance that blends endurance, skill, and timing in equal measure.
Final Table Results
- 1st: Artur Martirosian (Russian Federation) — $1,286,285
- 2nd: Pavel Plesuv (Moldova) — $857,510
- 3rd: Sean Winter (USA) — $597,635
- 4th: Yosuke Miki (Japan) — $421,718
- 5th: Marius Gierse (Austria) — $301,347
- 6th: Chance Kornuth (USA) — $218,091
In the heat of Las Vegas, against a field brimming with legends and challengers, Martirosian sharpened his legacy. For readers following the unfolding drama of the 2026 WSOP, his victory is one to watch — a testament to precision poker in its most potent form.
Sources
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