WSOP Circuit history was made at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas as Darren Rabinowitz emerged as the first Circuit Main Event champion of 2026. Drawing on years of elite tournament experience, the WSOP bracelet winner captured his fifth career Circuit ring and the $175,430 top prize after navigating one of the toughest live poker fields of the season. Poker players inspired by high-level competition like the WSOP Circuit can also find professionally run cash games and tournaments at NYC poker clubs, where serious players gather daily for real action.
A Milestone Victory on the WSOP Circuit Stage
Rabinowitz’s triumph marked his first live Circuit Main Event title, a notable achievement in a career already highlighted by major online and live successes. The win pushed his lifetime tournament earnings beyond $4 million, according to Hendon Mob, and reinforced his standing as one of the most consistent performers on the modern tournament circuit.
Speaking after the win, Rabinowitz reflected on the challenge of competing at a stop widely regarded as one of the most competitive on the WSOP Circuit schedule.
“I’ve played a lot of these events, but this was my first time final-tabling a Circuit Main Event and closing it out. The level of competition here is extremely high, and you have to stay patient the entire way.”
A Final Table Packed With Elite Talent
The Planet Hollywood Main Event featured a final table stacked with proven tournament professionals. Six-time Circuit ring winner Stephen Song was the first to fall among the finalists, followed by four-time ring holder Alan Merdita, who added another deep live run to his résumé.
Ukrainian poker pro Victoria Livschitz continued her strong results with an eighth-place finish, while the final showdown saw Rabinowitz battle David DiBernardi heads-up for nearly three hours. DiBernardi, himself a two-time Circuit winner, ultimately finished runner-up for $116,917.
Planet Hollywood Main Event Final Table Results
- 1st: Darren Rabinowitz – $175,430
- 2nd: David DiBernardi – $116,917
- 3rd: Kayla Clackum – $81,321
- 4th: Katsumoto Sakaguchi – $57,545
- 5th: Drake Kemper – $41,439
- 6th: Jacob Mendelsohn – $30,378
- 7th: Yuanzhi Cao – $22,678
- 8th: Victoria Livschitz – $17,245
- 9th: Alan Merdita – $13,363
- 10th: Stephen Song – $10,556
WSOP Circuit Rings and Paradise Rewards
Beyond prize money and prestige, every ring winner during the 2026 season earns a $5,000 WSOP Paradise package. The reward includes entry into the season-ending championship event and a complimentary stay at Atlantis Paradise in the Bahamas, adding further incentive to succeed on the WSOP Circuit trail.
Rabinowitz topped a long list of winners at the Planet Hollywood stop, which featured events across No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, HORSE, Seniors, and High Roller formats.
A Strong Opening Statement for the 2026 Season
With the Planet Hollywood series complete, the WSOP Circuit season is officially underway, and Rabinowitz’s victory sets an early benchmark for excellence. As the tour continues across major poker destinations, attention now turns to which players will rise next and add their names to the growing list of 2026 champions.
