WSOPC Thunder Valley (October)

Studying pays off in encore final table appearance at WSOPC Thunder ValleyAfter a 7th place result at WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley in January, Manjunath Mulinti reached the final table again. With newfound knowledge thanks to increased study and a new coach, he became the champion.

Mike Patrick / October 6, 2026

WSOP Circuit Thunder Valley Main Event final table results:

1. Manjunath Mulinti - $172,325
2. Jesse Stephens - $114,660
3. Jonathan Wang - $79,490
4. Dawson Dvorak - $56,090
5. Henry Acain - $40,310
6. Andrew Nguyen - $29,510
7. Bin Duan - $22,010
8. JC Tran - $16,370
9. Matthew Kramer - $12,970

Jesse Stephens

Level 31: 125,000 / 250,000 (250,000) – 2 remain

Manjunath Mulinti raised to 550,000 and Jesse Stephens called to see a flop of [6d][4d][2c].

They checked through to the [qc] turn and Stephens checked. Mulinti bet 700,000, and Stephens check-raised all-in for about 4,000,000.

Mulinti called with the best of it.

Jesse Stephens: [7d][3d]
Manjunath Mulinti: [qs][8c]

Mulinti's pair of queens would need to fade Stephens' straight and flush draws, and he did so as the [ks] fell on the river.

After just five hands of heads-up play, Mulinti defeated Stephens to become the champion, while Stephens still collected a six-figure payday.

• Manjunath Mulinti - 24,000,000
• Jesse Stephens - eliminated

Jonathan Wang

Level 31: 125,000 / 250,000 (250,000) – 2 remain

Jonathan Wang moved all in for 2,625,000 from the button and was called by Manjunath Mulinti in the small blind.

Jonathan Wang: [qh][th]
Manjunath Mulinti: [9c][9h]

The [qc][8d][7s] flop was good for Wang, giving him the lead with his pair of queens, but two more cards were to come.

The [5c] turn changed nothing, but the [6c] on the river gave Mulinti a straight to eliminate Wang and set up heads-up play against Jesse Stephens.

Jonathan Wang and Manjunath Mulinti

The players have gone on a quick ten minute break before they begin their final battle for the ring and the $172,325 first prize.

• Manjunath Mulinti - 20,175,000
• Jesse Stephens - 3,775,000
• Jonathan Wang - eliminated

Manjunath Mulinti

©Joe Giron/Poker Org

Level 30: 100,000 / 200,000 (200,000) – 3 remain

After Manjunath Mulinti opened to 500,000 in the small blind, Jesse Stephens three-bet to 1,500,000 in the big blind.

Mulinti them moved all in for about 6,000,000 effective, which got a fold from Stephens.

Mulinti contiues to chip away at his now short-stacked opponents as he has built a sizeable lead.

• Manjunath Mulinti - 16,000,000
• Jesse Stephens - 5,000,000
• Jonathan Wang - 3,200,000