While Schuyler Thornton was busy taking down the main event for $2.2 million, the side events at the WPT World Championship were producing their own legends. The Wynn poker room was absolutely printing money for grinders all month, and we've got the rundown on who walked away with the biggest scores.

The Quick Hit

• What happened: Multiple six-figure scores across WPT World Championship side events
• The damage: Over $18 million in prizes distributed across the festival
• Why you should care: These are the grinders making moves while you're betting parlays
• The move: Maybe pick up some cards in 2026

Darren Elias Takes Down $25K High Roller

The man, the myth, the WPT title record holder. Darren Elias added another trophy to his collection by winning the $25,000 High Roller on December 19th. The field was stacked with professionals, but Elias navigated his way through the minefield to claim the title.

This is what Elias does. Four WPT main event titles. Consistent deep runs in high rollers. The guy just knows how to close out tournaments when it matters. If you're playing a final table against Darren Elias, you better bring your A-game because he's not giving anything away.

Cliff Josephy's Six-Figure Score

Old school grinder Cliff "JohnnyBax" Josephy shipped the $3,000 event for a cool $700,157. That's a massive score for a mid-stakes tournament, and Josephy proved he still has plenty left in the tank.

Josephy made the WSOP Main Event final table back in 2016, and he's been a consistent winner in tournaments for decades. Seeing him take down a six-figure score at the WPT reminds you that poker isn't just for the young guns.

Richard Ashby: Player of the Festival

The British pro went on an absolute tear, winning TWO events during the festival:

• $1,100 PLO for $47,728
• $1,600 T.O.R.S.E. Championship for $52,896

That double victory earned Ashby "Player of the Festival" honors with 1,135 points. The guy was just running through the mixed games like a hot knife through butter. Two titles in one festival is absurd, and the mixed game specialists had to be tilted watching him stack chips in their events.

Other Notable Winners

Maxx Coleman - $3,000 5-Card PLO for $100,245. The PLO streets remain undefeated, and Coleman cashed in big.

Benjamin Greenberg - Club WPT Gold Mystery Quest for $136,475. Sometimes you enter the weird events and they pay off handsomely.

Kharlin Sued - WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star. Another title for a player who's been making moves on the circuit.

The Festival by the Numbers

The WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas was absolutely massive. The flagship tournament alone added more than $18 million to over $100 million in poker prizes distributed throughout December across the world.

That's not a typo. One hundred million dollars in poker prizes in a single month. The game is thriving despite what the doomsayers might tell you. Players are traveling, tournaments are filling up, and the money is flowing.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The WPT will continue rolling through the new year with stops across the globe. If you're thinking about taking a shot at tournament poker, the structures at WPT events are player-friendly and the fields are beatable.

Just remember: the guys winning these events have been grinding for years. Darren Elias didn't wake up one day with four WPT titles. He put in the volume, studied the game, and executed when it mattered. That's the path if you're serious about it.

The Bottom Line

The WPT World Championship side events produced serious money for serious grinders. Darren Elias added to his legend, Cliff Josephy reminded everyone he's still dangerous, and Richard Ashby went on a heater for the ages. December was a good month to be a poker player at the Wynn. The rest of us will just keep betting parlays and living vicariously through their success.