Sebastian Pauli finally captured the Razz bracelet that eluded him thirteen years ago at his first WSOP event. He defeated Dennis Weiss in a grueling four-and-a-half-hour heads-up battle at Event #40: $1,500 Razz on June 15 at Paris Las Vegas, pocketing $135,564 for his maiden WSOP bracelet.
The all-German final table showdown proved marathon-length, testing both players' endurance and seven-card stud low mastery. Pauli's persistence paid off after nearly a decade-and-a-half of chasing his first bracelet. The victory marks a breakthrough moment for the German pro, who now joins the elite tier of players holding both EPT and WSOP gold.
Razz demands a specific skillset. Low hands win the pot, meaning straights and flushes don't count. Players target Ace-to-five combos. The format separates specialists from dabbling circuit grinders. Pauli's win proves his command of the game's nuances and his ability to navigate variance across extended sessions.
The Razz bracelet carries particular prestige. It attracts serious mixed-game players and seven-card specialists who work the high roller circuit year-round. Fields stay smaller than hold'em events but tighter in competition. Winners face legitimate opponents grinding daily at top stakes.
Weiss made it deep but fell short in the final showdown. The German contingent remains formidable on the American circuit. Multiple German players regularly win WSOP bracelets, reflecting the strength of poker abroad and the talent pipeline from European tours.
Pauli's near-miss thirteen years prior likely fueled his drive. Many players rack up multiple close calls before breaking through. The mental toughness required to keep grinding