Despite stepping into the final stage of Event #26: $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack as the underdog, Renji Mao proved that fortunes can flip with determination and strategic prowess. Within a handful of hands against Matthew Elsby, Mao’s fortunes reversed and he found himself donning his first World Series of Poker (WSOP) gold bracelet.
Preparation Pays Off
Following an arduous Day 2, Mao and Elsby made it to the final stages, thus triggering a 12-hour interlude. Mao seized this opportunity to reflect, study, and refine his strategy for the ultimate face-off as the underdog. He expressed his gratitude for the break and disclosed how it facilitated his strategy overhaul, a move that played an integral part in his victory.
Mao’s shift to an assertive style of play proved instrumental in his successful journey, marking a significant milestone in his poker career. This revised approach swiftly turned the tables in his favor, and he soon found himself on the path to victory.
Mao emerged victorious, bagging an impressive $402,588 and outlasting a competitive pool of 4,747 participants over three intense days of play. This victory signified a victorious return to Las Vegas for Mao, marking his inaugural experience at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, venues he couldn’t visit since his cash run at the 2019 WSOP Main Event. With this win, Mao secured his tenth WSOP cash, a reward exceeding the total of all his previous wins.
Final Table Result
| Result | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Renji Mao | China | $402,588 |
| 2 | Matthew Elsby | United States | $248,833 |
| 3 | Anthony Potis | United States | $186,250 |
| 4 | JJ Liu | Taiwan | $140,442 |
| 5 | Ta-Wei Tou | Taiwan | $106,693 |
| 6 | Qiwen Chen | China | $81,666 |
| 7 | Jesse Rosen | South Africa | $62,984 |
| 8 | Vito Branciforte | Italy | $48,947 |
| 9 | Michael Younan | United States | $38,332 |
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