The journey to the final table was ruthless for many legends. Among those saying goodbye during the previous days was Annette Obrestad, who made a spectacular comeback, aiming for the title 19 years after her historic triumph. Multiple champions like Josh Arieh and Shiina Okamoto, as well as the stellar duo of Shaun Deeb and Martin Kabrhel, also exited the tournament.
The fifth day kicked off with the last 27 players, all eyes on the then chipleader Hengtao Zhu. The Finnish player continues to amaze, entering the finale with a significant lead over the rest of the field.
The unluckiest player of the day was Britain's Thomas Hall, who took the unenviable 10th place (earning €100,000), becoming the bubble boy for the final table. You can catch the key moments leading to the formation of the final table in the YouTube video on the WSOP channel:
WSOPE 2026 Main Event Final Table Lineup:
|
Position |
Player |
Country |
Stack |
|
1. |
Hengtao Zhu |
Finland |
36,300,000 |
|
2. |
Thomas Eychenne |
France |
25,825,000 |
|
3. |
Brandon Sheils |
United Kingdom |
20,850,000 |
|
4. |
Chris Hunichen |
USA |
19,300,000 |
|
5. |
Marius Kudzmanas |
Lithuania |
18,050,000 |
|
6. |
Akihiro Konishi |
Japan |
14,440,000 |
|
7. |
Nikolay Bibov |
Bulgaria |
13,200,000 |
|
8. |
Antonio Guimaraens |
Spain |
5,700,000 |
|
9. |
Joona Nyholm |
Finland |
3,275,000 |
Hengtao Zhu – Finnish Chipleader Weaves a “Cinderella Story” (36,300,000 in chips)
The absolute leader and the man to beat is the tournament's biggest surprise, Hengtao Zhu. The Finnish newcomer qualified through an online satellite on GGPoker, where he won a Bracelet Pass worth $10,000.
Despite having just under $40,000 in live earnings before this event, he's now guaranteed at least €140,000 and is targeting millions. His play has impressed even the legendary Chris Hunichen, who praised him as “too good.” Zhu admitted he's been fortunate with strong hands, but he enters the final with immense confidence.
Thomas Eychenne – France's Unstoppable Force (25,825,000 in chips)
In second place is Thomas Eychenne, who made an incredible comeback on the fifth day. Spending much of the day on the edge with ten big blinds, a series of winning all-ins propelled him to the top positions.
Eychenne is an experienced professional who won the EPT Barcelona Main Event in 2025, with total earnings exceeding $5 million. After a period without notable results, he feels it's his turn for a major success in Prague.
Brandon Sheils – British Talent Hungry for a Bracelet (20,850,000 in chips)
British pro, coach, and content creator Brandon Sheils is holding the third position. Sheils comes from a poker family and is a respected name in the community with over $2.7 million in winnings.
While the €2,000,000 prize is substantial, Sheils openly admits his main motivation is to win the elusive gold bracelet. On his way to the final, his kings stood firm, eliminating two opponents in one hand with 15 players remaining.
Chris “Big Huni” Hunichen – The Biggest Name in the Field (19,300,000 in chips)
American Chris Hunichen is arguably the biggest star at the final table. With lifetime earnings exceeding $17.6 million, he's the only player whose career-high win ($2.8 million) outmatches the prize for the winner of this event. He won his first bracelet in 2024 in a $100,000 High Roller and is now vying for a second title.
“Big Huni” has extensive final table experience at the world's largest events, making him a formidable adversary for anyone at the table. Though he doesn't have the same massive fan base as in Las Vegas, he's one of the primary favorites for the title in Prague.
Marius Kudzmanas – Two-Time Bracelet Holder (18,050,000 in chips)
Lithuania is represented by Marius Kudzmanas, a two-time gold bracelet winner from WSOP online editions. Though mainly associated with online poker, this week in King’s Casino he proved his live poker skills are top-notch.
Kudzmanas also has fond memories of Prague, finishing second in the EPT High Roller in 2022, earning almost €340,000.
Akihiro Konishi – Japanese Globetrotter (14,400,000 in chips)
Akihiro Konishi brings experience from tournaments worldwide, from Las Vegas to Cambodia. With career earnings under $300,000, he's already secured his best result in Prague.
While Konishi has repeatedly made the money at WSOP events, reaching the final table of the Main Event is a brand-new achievement for the Japanese player.
Nikolay Bibov – Bulgarian Fighter with a “Life Extra” (13,200,000 in chips)
Bulgarian Nikolay Bibov owes his place in the final to a fair share of fortune. He survived an all-in on day three with a miraculous “one-outer” on the river. From that moment, he began climbing steadily, building a stack capable of contesting for the title.
Bibov has experience contending with massive fields, demonstrated by his 26th place finish in the WSOP 2019 Millionaire Maker. His career earnings eclipse $120,000, and he’s poised to at least double that.
Antonio Guimaraens – Spanish “Shortstack” Specialist (5,700,000 in chips)
Spaniard Antonio Guimaraens enters the finale from penultimate position with 14 big blinds. The fifth day was a constant battle for survival, with a series of crucial double-ups.
Guimaraens' career highlights were achieved right here in Prague, where he posted his best results at EPT Prague 2025's High Roller. He's already quadrupled his previous career earnings and approaches the final determined to seize every opportunity to claw his way back into contention.
Joona Nyholm – Finland's Unknown at the Bottom (3,275,000 in chips)
Closing the ranks is Finland's Joona Nyholm, facing the toughest challenge with eight blinds. Nyholm is a relatively unknown face in the wider poker community, with winnings below $10,000.
His entry into the final nine is all the more surprising given he's a PLO specialist, marking his first cash finish in a No-Limit Hold'em event.
Source: WSOP Live, The Hendon Mob, YouTube, PokerNews
