In the bustling, chaotic energy of Las Vegas during the World Series of Poker (WSOP), where dreams are made or crushed with the turn of a river card, one man has built his legacy not with loud headlines but with unrelenting consistency. Brad Ruben, a mixed-game specialist from Florida, has just achieved something even the most decorated poker icons envy—five WSOP bracelets in five consecutive years.
It’s a feat that places him in the same breath as poker legends Allen Cunningham and Gary “Bones” Berland, the only other players in WSOP history to accomplish this. While others ride waves of variance, Ruben has charted his own path through the often-overlooked world of mixed games poker, showing that brilliance isn’t always loud—it can be quietly dominant.
A Big Win in Big O
The defining moment of Ruben’s streak came at the 2025 WSOP in Event #13: $1,500 Big O—a high-skill five-card variant of Omaha Hi-Lo. The tournament drew a field of 1,555 entrants, generating a massive prize pool of over $2 million.
Ruben was all focus as he navigated a tough final table packed with seasoned grinders. When the final card fell, he stood victorious, claiming $306,884 and his fifth WSOP gold bracelet—and etching his name even deeper into the record books.
“I’ve always loved mixed games because they reward discipline and creativity. To win a bracelet in a format like Big O—it just feels incredibly validating,” Ruben shared after his win.
The Full Streak: Five Years of Gold
Here’s how Brad Ruben’s legendary run has unfolded:
- 2020: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better – 1st WSOP bracelet
- 2021: $1,500 Razz – Second bracelet and proof of range
- 2022: $1,500 Razz – Back-to-back title solidifying his command
- 2023: WSOP Online $600 Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack – Keeps the streak alive digitally
- 2025: $1,500 Big O – Fifth bracelet in a new format
It’s important to note that no bracelet was won in 2024 at the live WSOP, but Ruben secured his fourth bracelet in an official WSOP Online event, keeping the streak intact and legitimate in the eyes of the poker world.
Who is Brad Ruben?
Brad Ruben, born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, didn’t follow the traditional path of a poker star. With a degree in psychology, Ruben approaches the game with a calm, analytical mindset. His journey into poker wasn’t fueled by fame or fast riches, but by a genuine love for the strategy and mental warfare inherent in the game.
Ruben’s early poker days were spent online and in low-stakes live events, slowly learning and mastering the edges of formats most players shy away from. While Hold’em continues to dominate headlines, Ruben gravitated toward non-Hold’em games—like Stud, Razz, and Big O—where edges are bigger for those willing to put in the work.
“Most players don’t study mixed games seriously, which is why I was drawn to them,” Ruben said. “There’s so much depth, and every decision matters.”
The Power of Mixed Games
In an age where No-Limit Hold’em dominates the scene—both in televised coverage and online platforms—players like Brad Ruben are helping to revive and elevate mixed games at the WSOP. These games are often considered the truest test of a poker player’s overall skill, requiring the ability to switch mental gears across different variants.
Ruben’s mixed game résumé is stacked, and he’s not just winning; he’s dominating fields filled with specialists. From Razz to PLO8 to Big O, each bracelet has come in a uniquely challenging format.
His run sends a strong message to rising players: learn more than just Hold’em if you want to build a lasting career. Mixed games might not bring instant fame, but they bring consistent, reliable results—and for Ruben, historical significance.
Five Years, Elite Company
Winning five WSOP bracelets in five years is nearly unheard of. Even poker greats like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Ivey, and Phil Hellmuth—who have each earned the spotlight countless times—have not strung together bracelet wins in five consecutive years.
Only two other players before Ruben managed this feat:
- Allen Cunningham (2001–2005) – A feared and brilliant mind of the early 2000s poker boom.
- Gary “Bones” Berland (1977–1981) – A two-time runner-up in the WSOP Main Event, known for his versatility.
What separates Ruben is the era. He’s accomplished this streak in one of the most competitive periods in WSOP history—facing massive fields, international elites, and online crushers all vying for glory. To emerge victorious each year, in a different game, speaks volumes about his dedication.
Humility Amid Greatness
Unlike many poker pros who command headlines through charisma or controversy, Brad Ruben is modest, focused, and dedicated. You won’t find him engaged in heated Twitter debates or trash talk during events. Instead, you’ll likely see him at the table, headphones on, sipping coffee, meticulously grinding every hand with intent.
“I’m not chasing records. I just love the game,” he said after his fifth bracelet. “If I can keep showing up, stay healthy, and play my best, the results will follow.”
That philosophy reflects not only wisdom but a Stoic approach to the highs and lows of professional poker.
The Road Ahead: Can He Make It Six?
With plenty more events left on the 2025 WSOP schedule, Ruben is far from done. Many believe he’s on pace for a sixth bracelet—and perhaps more. Given his affinity for mixed games and his low-key consistency, there’s no reason to doubt he could go even further.
If Ruben does secure a sixth bracelet this year, he’ll set a record unmatched in WSOP history: six bracelets in six consecutive years.
And even if he doesn’t? The poker world will remember Brad Ruben as the man who turned five years of work, study, and silence into one of poker’s most respected streaks.
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Source: CardPlayer.com – Brad Ruben Wins Five WSOP Gold Bracelets in Five Years