"A Hell of a Lot of Fun": Kenny Hallaert's Dual WSOP Main Event Deep Runs

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Jul 23, 2026 5 min read

When it comes to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, making a single final table is a career-defining achievement. Making two is an elite feat reserved for a very exclusive group.

Since 2000, only nine players have reached the WSOP Main Event final table multiple times. Hallaert’s nine-year gap between final tables (2016 to 2025) is the joint-second longest in modern history alongside 2009 champion Joe Cada, who made his triumphant return in 2018. Both trail only Michael Mizrachi, who waited an incredible 15 years before securing his second Main Event final table—and ultimately victory—in 2025.

So what does it take to make the biggest final table in poker not once, but twice? We sat down with a man who knows.

Different Main Event Experiences

PokerStars Team Pro Kenny Hallaert's first WSOP Main Event final table appearance came in 2016, the last year of the "November Nine" era, which featured a three-month delay before the final nine resumed play. His second arrived in 2025, where players had just a single day off before battling for the bracelet.

"It was nice to have that break in 2016 because you had time to get friends and family over, and it gave you time to organize yourself," Hallaert told PokerNews. "That was a big downside compared to 2025, where basically only my girlfriend was able to come over. I was telling her around Day 7, 'If magic happens again, make sure your bags are packed and book the flight the moment I make the final table.'

"If you're an American player, you can get friends and family to Las Vegas within a day, but if you have to fly in from overseas, a single day in between is really short."

"With the three-month concept, it felt like a total reset"

However, playing straight through wasn't without its advantages.

"Everyone is still in the moment," Hallaert explained. "All the history built up in the days leading to the final table remains completely relevant.

"With the three-month concept, it felt like a total reset. We were coming back essentially to play a single-table sit-and-go with different starting stacks. Any history from July was largely gone because everybody had time to settle down and get coaching. That complete reset was a bit of a downside."

Getting to Know the Final Tablists

One undeniable benefit of the three-month delay was the hype and mainstream exposure generated for the finalists, something that the WSOP is hoping to recapture in 2026 with four edited episodes of the Main Event broadcast on ESPN in the run-up to the Main Event.

"In 2016, you had the whole build-up on ESPN, and everybody got to know the final tablists," Hallaert recalled. "I understand why things shifted as live streaming took over, but it was amazing to serve as a temporary ambassador for the game during that window. The spotlights were fully on you and everyone else at that table."

That delayed format led to unexpected real-world fame for the Belgian.

"I’d be walking in Bruges, and people would recognize me. They wouldn't always walk up, but you’d see them elbowing their friend saying, 'Hey, do you recognize that guy over there?' I was in Australia the year after, and a guy came up to me in a bar. At a music festival that same year, people were coming up asking for pictures. I was like, 'Whoa.' That was really fun to experience."

Hallaert believes the immediate modern turnarounds have made it harder for audiences to remember finalists.

"If you asked people in 2018 which Main Event final table they remembered more players from—2016 or 2017—I think it would be tough for most to list the 2017 players, but 2016 would be much easier. That was true for many of the November Nine years because of that build-up."

A "Unique Opportunity" Wrapped in Exhaustion

Despite the glory, going deep in the Main Event takes a massive toll on the body and mind.

"People often ask me what it’s like to go deep in the Main Event. I always tell them: it's exhausting, it's tiring, and it's stressful. There is so much pressure, but it is a hell of a lot of fun.

"People often ask me what it’s like to go deep in the Main Event. I always tell them: it's exhausting, it's tiring, and it's stressful."

"It's the moment you dream of as a poker player, especially as a tournament player. It's such a unique opportunity, but the stress is real and you barely sleep. Once you reach Day 5, 6, and 7, it's really hard to get proper rest. That was my experience, and talking to other players, they go through the exact same thing."

Looking Ahead to the 2026 WSOP Main Event

With 2026 the first year of the new three-week break ahead of the WSOP Main Event final table, Hallaert believes tournament organizers may have hit the mark.

"It will definitely act as a reset, because in three weeks you can really get yourself organized. Any break tends to favor recreational or less experienced players. Their learning curve is much steeper. An inexperienced player can learn a massive amount in three weeks, whereas for a seasoned pro, it's harder to make huge leaps in such a short window because your baseline knowledge is already high.

"That said, I think three weeks might be the ideal balance. It gives players enough time to handle logistics and get a bit of coaching, while keeping the tournament history and storylines fresh in people's minds."

"Maybe a week is the absolute sweet spot, but three weeks is a great middle ground."

Based in the United Kingdom, Will started working for PokerNews as a freelance live reporter in 2015 and joined the full-time staff in 2019. He now works as Managing Editor. He graduated from the University of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He also holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism.

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