Deeb Fires Warning Shot Ahead of 2026 WSOP With Second Circuit Victory
When the shortlist of players eyeing up the 2026 World Series of Poker Player of the Year title is drawn up, many will have Shaun Deeb among the top contenders.
It’s no secret that the New York native is a perennial POY-chaser, with Deeb one of only two players to have won the WSOP POY title on multiple occasions (the other being Daniel Negreanu).
And with the 2026 WSOP Europe getting underway at the end of the month and the 2026 WSOP in Las Vegas summer just around the corner, it could be the sign
Victory in Turning Stone Once More
Deeb has already amassed a Hall of Fame-worthy career with eight WSOP gold bracelets, two of which came in 2025. However, he's now added a second WSOP Circuit ring to his resume.
He took down Event #6: $400 Six Max No-Limit Hold'em at WSOPC Turning Stone for $34,195 after topping a 577-player field. The venue is a favorite for Deeb, winning the first Circuit ring of his career at the same venue, taking down the WSOPC Main Event back in 2023.
Deeb's history at the venue isn't limited to his double ring-winning exploits. During the 2023 WSOPC Turning Stone series, Deeb nearly lost $10,000 in one of the most unusual ways possible.
Owed $10,000 by a friend, DJ MacKinnon, MacKinnon tucked the cash inside a box of protein bars and dropped it on Deeb’s table while he was getting a massage mid-tournament.
Assuming it was just a "fat joke" from a friend, a disinterested Deeb shoved the box under his seat and eventually left it behind on the floor when he busted the session. It wasn't until hours later, during dinner, that MacKinnon asked if he "liked how he was paid," leading to a panicked sprint back to the tournament floor. In a stroke of "Deeb-run-good," the box was found exactly where he left it, cash intact.
With the 2026 Poker Hall of Fame nominations also fast approaching, marking the first year the eight-time bracelet winner is age-eligible for induction, one thing is certain: the reigning POY has no intention of slowing down. Whether it’s hunting for a record-breaking third banner or a seat in the Hall, Deeb is clearly entering the 2026 WSOP in championship form.
