Alexander Farahi Wins 2026 WPT Rolling Thunder Championship

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Fri Apr 03, 2026, 11:00 am ET

Read Time: 3 minutes

Alexander Farahi Wins 2026 WPT Rolling Thunder Championship

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Alexander Farahi has captured the title at the 2026 World Poker Tour Rolling Thunder Championship, marking a major milestone in his poker career.

The event drew 310 entries, creating a prize pool close to $1 million. With skill, strategy, and composure, Farahi outlasted a competitive field and walked away with $193,725. He also nabs the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup, and a seat to the season-ending WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas. 

Moreover, this victory highlights the level of talent thriving on US online poker sites and live tournament tables alike.

Alexander Farahi: His Run at the Final Table

Farahi entered the official six-handed final table as one of the chip leaders. Early eliminations before the final table included Shawn Daniels in 8th place and Elvyn Bello Santos in 9th. The official final table featured Farahi, Matthew Salsberg, Arish Nat, Marco Johnson, Darrell Cain, and Alec Gould.

The action started quickly as Alec Gould fell in 6th place to Marco Johnson on the second hand of the final table. Gould held pocket Kings, but Johnson's Ace-Queen flopped an Ace, securing the elimination. 

Farahi then took control, eliminating Darrell Cain in 5th place when his pocket fives held up against Cain's J-9. He later knocked out Marco Johnson in 4th place after flopping the nut flush, further cementing his lead heading into the final stages.

Heads-up play between Farahi and Salsberg had already locked in their payouts due to a two-way deal: Farahi guaranteed $159,000 and Salsberg $151,000, with only $34,500 and the trophy remaining in contention. 

The final hand featured A♦ 6♦ (Farahi) versus A♣ 2♣ (Salsberg). Farahi won when the flop revealed 6♥ 5♠ 2♦. The Turn saw 7♥, and the River showed 10♦. With that, Farahi secured the championship trophy and concluding the tournament in style.

Final Table Results

Place Player Payout POY Points
1 Alex Farahi $193,725 720
2 Matthew Salsberg $151,275 600
3 Arish Nat $100,000 480
4 Marco Johnson $74,000 360
5 Darrell Cain $56,000 300
6 Alec Gould $43,000 240
7 Soheb Porbandarwala $33,000 180
8 Shawn Daniels $25,000 120
9 Elvyn Bello Santos $20,000 60

Farahi's First Major WPT Milestone

This victory marks Farahi's first major WPT title, a long-awaited achievement for the seasoned player. He has been active on the professional poker circuit since 2013, recording numerous cashes and deep runs but had not previously captured a championship of this magnitude. 

Farahi has also built experience on competing in various events, sharpening his skills against a broad spectrum of opponents. His Rolling Thunder triumph adds a prestigious trophy to his résumé and elevates his profile in the poker world.

Alex Farahi now joins an elite group of WPT champions, solidifying his status as a player to watch throughout the season.

Fans can expect more strong performances from him in both online and live events, making his journey one of the most compelling stories in professional poker this year.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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