From Mexico to Canada, Diego Ponce has been building strong momentum throughout 2026, adding multiple deep runs and nine cash finishes to his record. However, it was his tenth result of the year that turned into a defining moment, as the WPT Global Ambassador captured only the second title of his professional poker career—and one of the biggest payouts he has ever secured.
Ponce outlasted a competitive field of 342 entries in Event #7: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em at the 2026 Aussie Millions Poker Championship Presented by CrownBet. After a strong final table performance, he went on to defeat China’s Weiran Pu in heads-up play to claim the title and A$179,665 (approximately US$130,000).
Pu, a 2023 WSOP bracelet winner with more than $3.8 million in live earnings, entered the final table as the shortest stack. Despite the tough position, he managed to fight his way into heads-up play, ultimately finishing in second place after a determined run.
Aussie Millions Event #7: $2,500 NLH Final Table Results
- Diego Ponce (Mexico) – $179,665
- Weiran Pu (China) – $108,115
- Josh Chen (Australia) – $69,870
- Jordan Tentori (Australia) – $53,480
- Ronan Hanley (Australia) – $39,245
- Sang Hong (Australia) – $31,550
- Dean Blatt (Australia) – $26,165
- Banipal Babana (Australia) – $21,160
- Lachlan Crilly (Australia) – $16,930
Early Drama Around the Bubble
Day 2 saw 49 players return, with only 44 guaranteed payouts, creating immediate pressure near the money line. The bubble eventually burst in dramatic fashion with Ponce himself involved in a key hand.
Facing a three-bet shove from Sascha Manns, Ponce made the call holding pocket deuces. Manns was ahead with pocket kings, but the board ran out 4♦ 7♠ 4♥ A♣ 2♦, giving Ponce a rivered full house and eliminating Manns on the bubble.
Final Table Momentum Shifts
When the final nine players took their seats, Ponce started strong, sitting near the top of the leaderboard. However, it was Australia’s Josh Chen who initially took control, eliminating multiple opponents and building a commanding stack.
Chen knocked out Lachlan Crilly in ninth place before sending both Banipal Babana and Dean Blatt to the rail. As the field narrowed, Ponce regained momentum, doubling through Chen and later scoring a major knockout with pocket aces against ace-queen to eliminate Sang Hong and reclaim the chip lead.
Chen continued his aggressive run by cracking Ronan Hanley’s pocket tens with ace-ten, further tightening the race at the top.
Heads-Up Finish
Weiran Pu, who had entered the final table as the shortest stack, managed to recover and eventually took the chip lead after Jordan Tentori exited in fourth place. However, Ponce soon eliminated the dangerous Chen in third, entering heads-up play with a strong 4:1 advantage.
The final duel was short-lived. Pu moved all-in for his last eight big blinds holding 6♥ 6♦, and Ponce quickly called with 10♥ 10♣. The board offered no help to Pu, sealing his runner-up finish and handing Ponce the championship.
Ponce celebrated the victory with his rail, marking a standout achievement in his 2026 poker campaign.
FAQs
1. Who won the 2026 Aussie Millions Event #7 $2,500 NLH?
Diego Ponce won Event #7 of the 2026 Aussie Millions Poker Championship, defeating Weiran Pu heads-up to claim the title.
2. How much did Diego Ponce earn for winning the tournament?
Diego Ponce earned A$179,665 (approximately US$130,000) for finishing first in the event.
3. How many players entered the Aussie Millions Event #7?
The tournament attracted a strong field of 342 entries in the $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em event.
4. Who finished second in the Aussie Millions Event #7?
Weiran Pu from China finished in second place after a heads-up battle against Diego Ponce.
5. What is significant about Diego Ponce’s win?
This victory marks the second career title for Diego Ponce and one of the biggest cashes of his professional poker career, further strengthening his 2026 run.
