The Nine Players Chasing Poker Immortality
The wait is finally over. After eight gruelling days inside the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event is down to just nine players.
More than 9,200 entrants began poker’s most prestigious tournament. Now only one will walk away with the famous gold bracelet and the $10 million first prize, while every finalist has already locked up a life-changing $1 million payday.
With the final table now set, and registered player numbers confirming that WSOP popularity is far from over, let’s take a look at who is trying to make poker history in 2026.
Leading the way is 22-year-old American Lucas Jumalon, whose remarkable Day 8 performance earned him a commanding chip lead. However, a mixture of experienced bracelet winners, European stars and breakthrough performers still stand between him and poker’s biggest prize.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2026 WSOP Main Event final table.
2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Jumalon | United States | 194,000,000 | 129 |
| 2 | Rami Hammoud | Canada | 79,000,000 | 53 |
| 3 | Jamie Shaevel | United States | 56,000,000 | 37 |
| 4 | Greg Mueller | Canada | 48,500,000 | 32 |
| 5 | Michael Gagliano | United States | 46,500,000 | 31 |
| 6 | Mario Boos | France | 44,000,000 | 29 |
| 7 | Lauri Saaskilahti | Finland | 37,500,000 | 25 |
| 8 | Han Feng | United States | 25,000,000 | 17 |
| 9 | Evagoras Evagorou | Cyprus | 22,500,000 | 15 |
Lucas Jumalon (United States)
At just 22 years old, Lucas Jumalon has become the story of this year’s Main Event.
The Spokane native arrived in Las Vegas with relatively modest live tournament earnings but has announced himself on poker’s biggest stage with fearless, aggressive play. According to his WSOP profile, he had recorded 20 WSOP cashes before this remarkable run, with total live earnings of just under $58,000. Regardless of where he finishes now, that figure is about to increase dramatically.
His defining moment came on Day 8 when pocket jacks cracked Malcolm Trayner’s pocket queens, allowing him to build a huge stack before eliminating the Australian in 10th place to officially set the final table. Jumalon returns with 194 million chips, giving him more than double the stack of his nearest challenger and putting him firmly in control heading into August.
Rami Hammoud (Canada)
Second in chips is Canadian player Rami Hammoud, one of the tournament’s biggest surprise packages.
Unlike some of the more established names still standing, Hammoud entered the Main Event without a lengthy list of major international results. Throughout the tournament he has quietly climbed the leaderboard through disciplined decision-making and a willingness to take calculated risks when opportunities presented themselves.
His stack of 79 million chips leaves him well behind Jumalon, but still comfortably ahead of the rest of the field. With 53 big blinds when play resumes, Hammoud has plenty of ammunition to mount a genuine challenge for the world championship.
Jamie Shaevel (United States)
American Jamie Shaevel may not have attracted the headlines of some of his fellow finalists, but consistency has been the key to his impressive run.
Widely regarded as having a cash-game background, Shaevel has spent much of the tournament avoiding unnecessary confrontations while steadily accumulating chips. That patient approach has earned him a seat at poker’s most prestigious final table with 56 million chips.
If the shorter stacks begin colliding early, Shaevel is perfectly positioned to move into contention without taking unnecessary risks.
Greg Mueller (Canada)
If experience counts for anything, few players can match Greg Mueller.
The Canadian is already a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and has enjoyed a professional poker career spanning more than two decades. Before finding success at the tables, Mueller also played professional ice hockey, appearing in both the NHL and several North American minor leagues.
His tournament résumé includes millions of dollars in live earnings, making him one of the most accomplished players remaining. Sitting fourth in chips with 48.5 million, Mueller has the experience to thrive under the intense spotlight that accompanies the WSOP Main Event final table.
Michael Gagliano (United States)
Another player bringing elite credentials is Michael Gagliano.
Like Mueller, Gagliano owns three WSOP bracelets and has been regarded as one of America’s strongest tournament professionals for many years. He has accumulated millions in live tournament cashes and knows exactly what it takes to navigate deep runs against world-class opposition.
Earlier in the Main Event he briefly held one of the biggest stacks in the room before expertly negotiating several difficult levels to reach the final nine. His 46.5 million chips leave him within striking distance of the leaders, and few would be surprised to see the experienced American making a serious run at poker’s biggest title.
Mario Boos (France)
European poker fans will know Mario Boos well.
Although listed as representing France during this event, Boos first made his name by winning the 2014 European Poker Tour Barcelona Main Event, one of the biggest titles on the European circuit. More than a decade later, he is once again competing on one of poker’s grandest stages.
Boos has remained consistently near the top of the chip counts throughout the latter stages of the Main Event and enters the final table with 44 million chips, giving him every opportunity to add a WSOP world title to his already impressive poker résumé.
Lauri Saaskilahti (Finland)
Finnish professional Lauri Saaskilahti has quietly become one of Europe’s most respected tournament regulars.
Known for his calm approach and technically sound game, Saaskilahti has built a strong reputation across the international poker circuit over recent years. While he may not possess the bracelet collection of Mueller or Gagliano, he has repeatedly demonstrated an ability to compete against elite fields.
Starting with 37.5 million chips, the Finn remains firmly in contention and needs only a couple of well-timed doubles to challenge for the chip lead.
Han Feng (United States)
American Han Feng enters the final table eighth in chips, but his tournament is far from over.
With 25 million chips, equivalent to around 17 big blinds, Feng still has enough room to apply pressure and wait for the right opportunities rather than being forced into immediate all-in situations.
Having survived one of the toughest Main Event fields in history, Feng has already guaranteed himself the biggest cash of his career and now has the chance to produce one of the greatest comeback stories in WSOP history.
Evagoras Evagorou (Cyprus)
Representing Cyprus, Evagoras Evagorou begins the final table as the short stack with 22.5 million chips.
However, anyone who follows the WSOP knows that entering ninth in chips is far from a death sentence. Countless final tables have seen short stacks double early before mounting improbable title challenges.
Earlier during Day 8, Evagorou was among the chip leaders before losing ground late in the evening. Having already secured a guaranteed seven-figure payout, he returns with little pressure and plenty of incentive to gamble when the right spots appear.
$10 Million and Poker History Await
When play resumes in August, every decision will carry enormous financial consequences.
The eventual champion will collect $10 million, the coveted WSOP Main Event bracelet and a permanent place in poker history. Second place is worth $6 million, while even ninth place walks away with $1 million, underlining just how significant every elimination will be.
Lucas Jumalon may begin with a commanding lead, but history has shown that chip leads can disappear quickly once the lights, cameras and pressure of poker’s biggest final table arrive.
One thing is certain: nine players remain, but only one will become the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event champion.
