Philip Sternheimer Greeted His Maiden WSOP Bracelet With Tears Of Joy

The Desired Fruit of Philip Sternheimer’s Efforts

Philip Sternheimer has been playing poker occasionally for a quarter of a century but quit his job to become a professional player only two years ago. And he fully immersed himself in the new career, following his love and passion for the game — but also playing the most expensive poker events he could participate in:

From February 2023 to June 14th, 2025 he scored 34 of his 54 ITMs in live tournaments, primarily focusing on WSOP but at the same time scoring on other series.

His five biggest cashes before June 2025 were:

1. $164,500 for 1st place in the $10K Dealer’s Choice event at the 2024 PGT Mixed Games.
2. $178,000 for 25th place in the $100K Triton Main Event at the 2024 WSOP Paradies.
3. $275,000 for 1st place in the $25K 8 Game High Roller at the 2018 Aria 8 Game-01.
4. $328,781 for 3rd place in the £50K Super High Roller at the 2022 EPT London.
5. $369,500 for 11th place in the $200K Luxon Invitational at the 2023 Triton Cyprus.

But despite being quite successful there, Philip still wishes to shine exactly on the WSOP:

“The World Series is like the Olympics for a poker player. So what I find tough sometimes is you’re in a tournament series and you bust, you have sadness. Not just about busting, but like, I’m no longer playing the game I love.

What’s amazing about the World Series is you can hop into the next one [after busting]. I really love all the games. And it’s just great to have the variety. And you know, I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

And he wasn’t just hoping to become the WSOP winner somehow and doing nothing else. Philip spent hours learning, training and leveling his game up as well as mental state by collaborating with different people. For example, he worked with Dylan Weisman to pump up his PLO game and with Elliot Roe to make his mental game better.

All his efforts finally were recognized by WSOP RNG and it gave him what he coveted the most: the first bracelet of the series for winning the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship.

He also renewed the best cash with a $763,087 prize from this event. After the emotions had subsided a bit, Philip shared the main secret of his long-awaited victory:

“You know, I was sitting with Joao [Simao] in Monte Carlo, and we really bonded. He just looked at me and said he’s absolutely sure I’m gonna win a bracelet this year, and he’s going to be in the picture.”

As a proof for this story, Joao Simao came to the rail of Philip to support him during the final table and later stayed along his side for the winner’s photo.

Who Else Won Bracelets With Philip?

Shortly after Philip made his very emotional first win, another two players celebrated their  victories.

Russian poker pro Andrey Zhigalov secured the second WSOP bracelet and took a $197,923 prize by winning the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event. Seven years ago he won the same tournament and has been trying to repeat this result without much success, so this 2025 victory became especially significant for him:

Portuguese poker star Joao Vieira also took an additional bracelet — his fourth! — and a $2,649,158 prize by winning the $100,000 High Roller event.

He was very calm and well-collected during the final table and shared his recipe of success in the aftermath interview: