WSOP 2026: Shaun Deeb Builds Huge Lead in $3K Nine Game Mix

Shaun Deeb takes control in the $3K Nine Game Mix

Day 24 of WSOP 2026 was all about Shaun Deeb in the $3K Nine Game Mix. Rather than simply surviving, he turned the event into a showcase of control, building such a large lead that the rest of the field now has to chase him across multiple games, not just one.

That matters a lot in a mixed-game event. Nine Game Mix is not a format where a player can lean on one comfort zone and coast. It demands real range: limit and non-limit, familiar variants and technical edge spots, plus the ability to change gears without losing focus.

A big stack in this kind of tournament is more than a chip count. It is leverage. It lets a player pressure shorter stacks, avoid thin marginal spots, and force opponents to make uncomfortable decisions in games where they may be less experienced.

Why Nine Game Mix rewards elite all-around players

Nine Game Mix has long been respected as one of the toughest and most complete tests in tournament poker. It rewards players who can adapt quickly, stay disciplined, and keep their decision-making sharp through constant format changes.

The key skills usually include:

• strong fundamentals across multiple variants;
• patience and concentration over long sessions;
• solid bankroll-style pot control in limit games;
• stack awareness in no-limit and pot-limit rounds;
• emotional stability when the game changes every level.

For players who want to build a broader poker foundation, studying at a poker school can be a smart move. And if you are looking for places to play and study the ecosystem, it helps to know the difference between poker rooms and poker clubs, especially during a festival as busy as the WSOP.

Rob Kuhn shines in the Milly Maker

While Deeb grabbed the spotlight in mixed games, Rob Kuhn made noise of his own with a strong showing in the Milly Maker. That event is one of the most recognizable mass-field tournaments on the WSOP schedule, and it creates a very different kind of pressure.

Large-field events are volatile by nature. The swings are bigger, the pace is faster, and the path to a deep run requires both endurance and discipline. To navigate a field that size, players need to survive the early chaos, stay patient through the middle stages, and then execute cleanly when the stacks get shallower.

Kuhn’s run highlights an important truth about WSOP: the series runs on two parallel tracks. On one side are elite mixed-game battles like Nine Game Mix. On the other are giant field events like Milly Maker, where thousands of players can still dream big.

Expert analysis: what Deeb’s lead really means

From a strategic standpoint, Deeb’s position is a major statement. When a player like Shaun Deeb builds a huge lead in a mixed-game event, it usually means he is adapting better than the rest of the field and finding edges faster when the game changes.

What that gives him:

• more fold equity against shorter stacks;
• more room to choose profitable spots;
• less pressure to force action;
• a psychological edge that can matter late in the event.

For the field, the message is simple: catching a leader like this in mixed games is hard unless the cards cooperate and the decisions stay near-perfect. These events reward preparation, not guesswork.

If you are trying to improve your own game, it is also worth paying attention to the wider poker economy — from promotions & bonuses to how players enter events through a poker agent. Small structural edges often matter more than people think.

What this day says about the WSOP

Day 24 is a good reminder of why the WSOP remains the centerpiece of the poker calendar. It produces both specialist-driven battles and huge-field stories, often on the same day, and that mix is part of what makes the series so compelling.

For professionals, Deeb’s run is proof that mixed games still reward deep study and versatility. For recreational players, Kuhn’s performance in Milly Maker is another reminder that strong tournament discipline can still create real deep-run opportunities in massive fields.

WSOP is not just about trophies. It is also about the contrast between formats, player pools, and skill sets — and Day 24 delivered exactly that.

Conclusion: Deeb leads, Kuhn adds more drama

The headline story from WSOP 2026 Day 24 is clear. Shaun Deeb has built a commanding lead in the $3K Nine Game Mix, putting himself in prime position for a deep finish. At the same time, Rob Kuhn added his own storyline with a strong run in the Milly Maker.

That combination is what makes the WSOP special: elite mixed-game mastery on one side, huge-field chaos on the other. And when a player like Deeb gets rolling in a format as demanding as Nine Game Mix, the rest of the field has a real mountain to climb.

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