2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Set With Final Nine

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Wed Jul 15, 2026, 9:00 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Set With Final Nine

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The 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event has reached its defining stage after eight grueling days of action in Las Vegas. Thousands of hopefuls entered poker's most prestigious tournament, but only nine players remain with a chance to claim the coveted gold bracelet and the $10 million top prize.

Every finalist has already secured a seven-figure payday. Still, all eyes now turn toward the final table, where poker history awaits. The lineup features accomplished professionals, international standouts, and one rising star carrying a commanding chip lead into the championship stage.

For fans following the action and players competing on US online poker sites, the 2026 Main Event has delivered dramatic eliminations, emotional storylines, and one of the most intriguing final tables in recent memory.

Lucas Jumalon Headlines the 2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table

Twenty-two-year-old Lucas Jumalon of Spokane, Washington enters the final table as the player to beat after bagging 194 million chips. His stack equals 129 big blinds, giving him a significant advantage over the remaining competitors.

Jumalon built momentum throughout Day 8 and never looked back. He capped his dominant performance by eliminating Australia's Malcolm Trayner in 10th place, officially locking the final table.

The young American now sits comfortably ahead of the field. While a large chip lead guarantees nothing in tournament poker, it provides valuable flexibility during the opening levels of the final table.

Jumalon will chase his first WSOP bracelet while attempting to convert one of the largest final table chip leads in recent Main Event history. His aggressive yet controlled approach has earned praise throughout the tournament, and he now stands just days away from poker immortality.

The Remaining Eight Players Bring Experience and Compelling Storylines

Although Jumalon leads the way, the remaining finalists possess the experience and resilience needed to challenge for the championship.

Canada's Rami Hammoud enters second in chips after consistently building his stack during the later stages of the tournament. Jamie Shaevel also remains firmly in contention after navigating one of the toughest fields in poker.

Greg "FBT" Mueller arrives as the table's elder statesman. The 55-year-old former professional hockey player owns three WSOP bracelets and relies heavily on live reads rather than pure game theory optimal play. Mueller survived a massive coin flip on Day 8 to secure his seat, proving that experience still carries tremendous value on poker's biggest stage.

Michael Gagliano also brings an impressive résumé into the final table. The respected tournament professional owns four WSOP bracelets, including his 2016 live victory in the $2,500 No-Limit Hold'em event and three WSOP Online bracelet wins. After 17 Main Event appearances without a breakthrough finish, Gagliano finally earned his long-awaited shot at poker's biggest title.

France's Mario Boos, Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti, and Han Feng round out the middle of the chip counts. Each has displayed patience and timely aggression throughout the tournament, giving them realistic opportunities to climb the leaderboard.

Meanwhile, Cyprus' Evagoras Evagorou provides one of the tournament's best feel-good stories. The 48-year-old optician enters as the short stack after spending much of Day 8 fighting for survival. Remarkably, he won three consecutive all-in confrontations to secure at least a $1 million payday and keep his championship dream alive.

The final table presents a fascinating mix of veteran professionals, international talent, and emerging stars. That combination should create compelling poker once play resumes.

2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Jumalon carries a sizable advantage into the final table, but the remaining eight players remain well within striking distance. Rami Hammoud enters second in chips, while the middle of the pack features several accomplished professionals capable of mounting a comeback. 

Although Evagoras Evagorou starts as the short stack, his resilience throughout Day 8 proved he should not be overlooked.

Player Country Chip Count
Lucas Jumalon United States 194,000,000
Rami Hammoud Canada 79,000,000
Jamie Shaevel United States 56,000,000
Greg Mueller Canada 48,500,000
Michael Gagliano United States 46,500,000
Mario Boos France 44,000,000
Lauri Saaskilahti Finland 37,500,000
Han Feng United States 25,000,000
Evagoras Evagorou Cyprus 22,500,000

Dramatic Eliminations Shaped the Final Table Field

Several notable eliminations helped determine which players reached the final nine.

Todd Brunson saw his emotional run end in 20th place for $325,000. The poker legend hoped to capture the Main Event title exactly 50 years after his father, Doyle Brunson, won his first championship. 

Instead, Brunson suffered one of the tournament's most painful beats after moving all in preflop with pocket aces against Malcolm Trayner's ace-jack. Trayner completed a runner-runner flush on the river, ending the remarkable family storyline.

Shaun Deeb exited in 15th place for $410,475 after another deep Main Event run. The nine-time bracelet winner committed his chips on the flop with an open-ended straight draw against Rami Hammoud's top pair.

The draw never arrived, ending Deeb's title hopes. True to his reputation as one of poker's busiest grinders, he immediately registered for two additional tournaments after his elimination.

Hossein Ensan, the 2019 WSOP Main Event champion, became the last former winner eliminated from the field. Ensan collected $510,000 for his 13th-place finish after his ace-queen ran into Michael Gagliano's pocket kings. Gagliano flopped a set to end Ensan's bid for a second Main Event championship.

With the final nine now confirmed, attention shifts to the biggest stage in tournament poker. Lucas Jumalon enters with the chip advantage, but eight accomplished opponents still stand between him and the world championship.

As anticipation builds across the poker community and US online poker sites, fans will soon discover who earns the sport's most prestigious title and the $10 million first-place prize.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

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