WSOP 2026 Main Event: 21 Left, Boos and Lewis Alive

WSOP Main Event 2026 is down to the final 21

The tension is peaking in the World Series of Poker Main Event. After a dramatic Day 7, only 21 players remain from the massive field of 9,208 entries. At this stage, every stack matters twice: first for survival, and then for the leverage it creates under ICM pressure.

At the top of the counts sits Australian Malcom Trayner with 62,200,000 chips. That kind of lead is more than a comfort zone — it is a weapon. It allows him to apply pressure on the middle stacks, attack blinds more freely, and force opponents into tough decisions as the Day 8 restart approaches.

Mario Boos and Romain Lewis keep France in the hunt

There is still strong French presence in the biggest poker tournament in the world. Mario Boos is putting together an excellent run, currently 10th in chips with 24,300,000. That stack puts him in genuine contention for a final-table push if the cards and the table dynamics cooperate.

Former Winamax Team Pro Romain Lewis is also still alive, carrying 15,800,000 chips into the next stage. With blinds rising and pay jumps becoming more relevant, a stack like that can be turned into pressure through aggressive opens, well-timed resteals and disciplined shove-or-fold decisions.

For players who study tournament poker seriously, runs like this are exactly why resources such as poker school matter. Deep Main Event spots reward players who understand patience, stack protection and the difference between chip EV and dollar EV.

Big names still chasing the $10 million top prize

The remaining field is packed with familiar names and proven winners. Shaun Deeb is still in with 31,300,000 chips, while Hossein Ensan holds 29,700,000. Greg Mueller remains in the mix with 13,200,000, Dylan Smith has 9,600,000, and Todd Brunson continues with 7,800,000.

In high-pressure late-stage poker, pedigree matters less than execution, but experience still saves a lot of chips. Players at this point must balance aggression and survival while constantly adjusting to stack sizes, pay jumps and table composition.

A few key late-stage priorities stand out:

• pressure short stacks without overcommitting;
• avoid unnecessary clashes with bigger stacks;
• respect ICM when the payouts start to jump;
• stay mentally fresh after long hours of live poker.

That is why many regulars split their study between live events and structured practice in poker rooms and poker clubs, where they can sharpen table awareness and decision-making under fatigue.

Expert analysis: why Day 8 matters so much

Day 8 in the Main Event is often where a player’s tournament life changes forever. With blinds at 250,000 / 500,000, every orbit becomes expensive, and stack-to-blind ratios shrink fast.

The average stack is 26,308,000, which means the field is still somewhat balanced, but the leverage gap between leaders and shorter stacks is already meaningful. At this point:

• chip leaders can open wider and pressure the middle of the field;
• medium stacks must avoid marginal spots against big stacks;
• short stacks need premium timing for all-in decisions.

The next bustout is guaranteed $325,000, so the money jumps are already serious. That reality changes the entire texture of the table: players tighten up in some spots, widen in others, and every decision becomes more expensive in both cash and equity terms.

For those who also follow the business side of poker, events like this show why promotions & bonuses and bankroll planning matter even for skilled players: variance is part of the game, and surviving deep runs often requires a long-term financial structure, not just a strong strategy.

The $10,000 6-Handed NLH is also heating up

Another major WSOP event is moving forward: the prestigious $10,000 6-Handed NLH. From 558 starters, only 33 players survived Day 2.

Among the names still in contention are Dario Sammartino with 185,000, Alex Keating with 525,000, Igor Kurganov with 555,000, Dong Chen with 825,000, and three-time world champion John Racener with 1,075,000. David Peters is sitting on 1,625,000, while Calvin Anderson leads the pack with 1,700,000.

French player Loic Debregeas is also still alive. His 1,415,000 chips place him 9th in the counts, a very strong position heading into the next day. Six-max events reward aggression, fast adaptation and strong hand-selection discipline, so the next session will be a real test of skill as much as stamina.

Final thoughts: the road to the bracelet and the million-dollar payday

All remaining players in both events return tomorrow to continue the chase for the $1,001,391 top prize in the 6-Handed NLH and the life-changing Main Event title. At this point, the story is no longer about getting through the field — it is about turning a strong stack into a winning finish.

The WSOP Main Event remains the clearest reminder of why poker still captivates players around the world. It combines endurance, pressure, math, psychology and live reads in a way few events can match. And for anyone building a poker career, whether through poker agent opportunities or by grinding the live circuit, these final-day battles are the purest form of tournament poker.

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