button in SafariCarlson and Johnson Lead Day 1 of $10,000 PLO Hi-Lo
The opening day of the latest championship event at the 2026 WSOP has come to a close. A total of 268 entrants came out to play Event #33: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better to generate $2,501,700. With two reentries available for all players in this event, any who fell today have the opportunity to reenter tomorrow after the conclusion of Level 12. They will join those who remain of the 105 that bagged up here today.
Two players lead the counts neck and neck at the end of the day as Christopher Carlson (462,500) and Marco Johnson (461,500) lead with just 1,000 separating the two of them at the top. Carlson is in the hunt for his second WSOP cash as the Wyoming poker player is looking to add more to his $85,621 in lifetime earnings and add his name to the list of 2026 WSOP bracelet winners.
Two-time WSOP bracelet winner Marco Johnson is looking to add a third WSOP title to his resume in the hopes of adding a boatload of points to his 25k fantasy team and more to his already decorated resume.
Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Carlson | United States | 462,500 | 231 |
| 2 | Marco Johnson | United States | 461,500 | 231 |
| 3 | Christopher Costa | United States | 452,000 | 226 |
| 4 | Jordan Spurlin | United States | 375,000 | 188 |
| 5 | Dylan Weisman | United States | 365,000 | 183 |
| 6 | Vladimir Belekhov | Russian Federation | 362,000 | 181 |
| 7 | Dylan Smith | United States | 346,500 | 173 |
| 8 | Rishi Amin | United Kingdom | 339,000 | 170 |
| 9 | Jarod Minghini | United States | 333,500 | 167 |
| 10 | Josh Arieh | United States | 313,500 | 157 |
Defending champion Philip Sternheimer (161,500) bagged up in the hopes for a run at the title defense. Others that bagged included Dylan Weisman (365,000), Dylan Smith, (346,500), Jarod Minghini (333,500), Josh Arieh (313,000), Benny Glaser (228,500), Allen Kessler (219,500), and 7-time WSOP bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu (207,000).
Not everyone made it to day's end. Players like Ryan Hoenig, Ryan Bambrick, Michael Wang, Alex Livingston, Jon Kyte, and WSOP Main Event Champion Michael Mizrachi. Those who did not fire the allowed three bullets will be able to fire again tomorrow.
Players ended play today after ten one-hour levels of play. All of the surviving players will return at 1:00 tomorrow in the Paris Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Level 11 will be the first level of play tomorrow, with blinds at 1,000/2,500, with a 2,500 big blind ante. At the conclusion of every hour-long level, there will be a 15-minute break, and a 60-minute break will follow the conclusion of Level 16.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all of the exciting updates on the ground.