WSOP Day 45: Moneymaker's Bubble Burst in the Main Event

Day Start Drama in the Main Event

The fourth day of the Main Event is traditionally the most nerve-wracking, as it marks the bursting of the money bubble. 1,389 players entered Day 4 with 1,382 of them getting paid, so only seven eliminations were needed to bring joy to the room.

This year’s drama was intensified by the fact that one of its casualties was the man who started the poker boom 23 years ago – Chris Moneymaker. The bubble burst was bizarrely dramatic, seeing three players, including two WSOP Main Event champions, getting knocked out simultaneously. Apart from Moneymaker, Stoyan Madanzhiev, the 2020 online Main Event champion, also suffered the unfortunate fate of becoming a bubble boy. 

The three unlucky players split two $15,000 prizes (each receiving $10,000) and then played a flip for a $25K WSOP Paradise package, which Zhaken Seitbekov won.

Once the bubble burst, eliminations picked up pace, taking with them former champions like John Cynn (617th place), Scott Blumstein (666th), and Joe Hachem (803rd). Other notable exits included Kristen Foxen, Jesse Lonis, Chris Brewer, and Kathy Liebert. 

On the flip side, 533 players moved on to Day 5. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi continues his title defense by bagging 440,000 chips and confidently stated he still has plenty of room to play.

Among the advancing players are other stars like Artur Martirosian (stack 3,495,000), Alex Foxen (1,695,000), Shaun Deeb (1,500,000), and three previous champions Hossein Ensan (255,000), Ryan Riess (455,000), and Greg Raymer (535,000). Chiplead is held by Florida native Sam Sweilem with a stack of 3.8 million.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 4 – Event #82: $10,000 Main Event

Elite Lineup Battling for Millions

A star-studded lineup took to the prestigious stage of the $50K NLH High Roller (Event #90), which saw 131 entries on its opening day. The current prize pool of $6,222,500 is yet to be finalized, as late registration remains open until the start of Level 13 on the second day.

After ten levels of play, Austria’s Daniel Rezaei stands at the top with the only stack exceeding two million chips.

The dramatic climax of the day was experienced by legendary Daniel Negreanu, who knocked out Nikita Kuznetcov in the final minutes and smoothly advanced from 11th place. Less fortunate was world-class player Adrian Mateos, who exhausted both his tournament entries.

However, the fight for this prestigious title continues with stars like Kristen Foxen, Bryn Kenney, Cary Katz, and the controversial Czech player Martin Kabrhel still in play.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #90: $50,000 High Roller No-Limit Hold'em

Eli Elezra Shines in New Discipline

The new tournament format “Pick Your PLO” kicked off successfully in the WSOP 2026 schedule, attracting 857 entries. After the first day, 104 players remain in the field, each guaranteed a minimum payout of $3,027 from a prize pool of $1,137,667.

Legendary Hall of Famer Eli Elezra stole the spotlight. A five-time bracelet winner drawing on his rich Omaha experience amassed a sizable 701,000 chips, placing him in third position behind only Emory Peebles from the USA and Jun Weng from China.

This unique format drew many elite names, including fresh PPC champion Benny Glaser and five-time winner Robert Mizrachi, brother to Michael Mizrachi, advancing to Day 2. Still in the field for the $196,431 top prize is the ageless Mike “The Mouth” Matusow.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #91: $1,500 Pick Your PLO

From Family Games to His First Bracelet

The massive Event #86: $600 Ultra Stack, which drew a total of 8,007 entries, crowned its champion. American Eric Weber took the prestigious gold bracelet and a life-changing victory worth $400,000.

Weber's story is the embodiment of the American dream. Inspired by home games with his father and uncles and motivated by Chris Moneymaker’s iconic 2003 victory, he pursued a professional career.

Starting the final day from sixth place, Weber delivered a remarkably disciplined performance over seven hours. In the final heads-up, he faced Frenchman Henry Benamram in a grueling three-hour duel.

The showdown came as Benamram shoved with J-9, walking into Weber’s kings.  For Weber, who had to hastily change his flight home due to his final table run, this success fulfills the dream of every recreational player.

The final table also featured well-known professional Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek, who finished in 9th place. 

Final Table Results of Event #86: $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold'em

Extra Day in PLO Mystery Bounty

The $1K PLO tournament with a Mystery Bounty twist (Event #87) proved so popular that organizers had to adjust the schedule. From a massive field of 4,764 entries, 34 players remain in the fight for the title after the second day. Though a winner was expected by now, the field's size forced a pause, with the champion to be decided on an extra day.

The second day was marked by a bounty hunt in the $1,429,200 prize pool. The lucky recipients of the two highest bounties of $100,000 were Owais Ahmed and Roussos Koliakoudakis.

American Shawn Stroke emerged as the chip leader headed into the next battle, closely followed by triple WSOP winner Christopher Vitch. Third in line is Austria’s Wojciech Barzantny, who demonstrated remarkable dominance on Day 2, eliminating 23 opponents and earning $67,000 in bounties.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 2 – Event #87: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha

Teliani Leads Gladiators of Poker

The series' most affordable bracelet event (Event #88: $300 Gladiators of Poker) continued with its second starting flight, 1b. Gathering 2,174 entries, the current registration count climbed to nearly 4,000. After completing 22 swift levels, only 65 players advanced.

Canadian Jolnar Teliani grabbed the limelight, amassing a massive 3,265,000 stack to seize the day and overall chiplead. With three wins in smaller tournaments this year, Teliani is now well-positioned for the coveted poker crown.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1b – Event #88: $300 Gladiators of Poker

Konnikova's Strong Start

Event #89: $3K Mid-Stakes Championship continued with its second starting flight Day 1b. While the opening day 1a attracted just under 500 entries, the second flight saw 951 entries, raising the current registration count to 1,449. Out of this massive field, 263 players bagged chips after ten levels, led by Portugal’s Luis Faria.

Notable attention went to acclaimed author and online bracelet holder Maria Konnikova, who delivered a commanding performance with a stack of 298,000 chips, placing her just shy of the top twenty.

Others advancing to Day 2 include 2014 Main Event champion Martin Jacobson and big names like Barry Shulman, Niall Farrell, and Jonathan Little.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1b – Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X, YouTube