2026 World Series of Poker

Day: 1
Event Info
2026 World Series of Poker
Event Info
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$1,099,170
Total Entries
828
Players Left
179
Average Chip Stack
115,642
Total Chips
20,700,000
Players Info - Day 1
Entries
828
Players Left
179
Players Left 179 / 828
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PokerNews live coverage of this event will begin on Day 2 (May 28). Until then, we will be keeping readers informed with updates on chip counts and core event statistics, including entries and prize pool. Scroll down to see more.

"Shiina's Going to Win Again" Says Former WSOP Ladies Event Champ

Shiina Okamoto
Shiina Okamoto

While this year’s World Series of Poker will feature the usual titans like Phil Ivey and Daniel Negreanu, all eyes are on a new force in the poker world: Shiina Okamoto.

After securing historic back-to-back victories in the Ladies Championship, the quiet and unassuming star is quickly becoming the face of women's poker and an inspiration for many.

One person who knows exactly what it takes to navigate their way to victory in the Ladies Championship is 2017 champion Heidi May. As May prepared for her own return to Las Vegas, she had a bold prediction: write off an Okamoto threepeat at your peril.

Top Stacks at Break

According to the WSOP LIVE app.

Deeb Says Hellmuth 'Knows Deep Down' He'll Pass Him in WSOP Bracelets

Shaun Deeb_Event 79 10k Omaha
Shaun Deeb_Event 79 10k Omaha

Shaun Deeb recently said he wishes he was around 20 years ago when Phil Hellmuth was "good at poker," and predicted he'll one day surpass the "Poker Brat's" World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet record.

The poker stars competed in a recent high-stakes cash game on PokerGO against some other familiar faces, such as Tom Dwan, Jared Bleznick, Chris Moneymaker, and Erick Lindgren.

Ahead of the 2026 WSOP, Deeb made some bold predictions about Hellmuth's 17 bracelets, arguably the most coveted record in poker. The reigning WSOP Player of the Year, in an interview with PokerGO, made it clear he's coming after that record.

Big Stacks at Break

According to the WSOP LIVE app.

How to Avoid Tilt in Poker

WSOP Cards
WSOP Cards

Poker is often described as a game of skill, psychology, and patience. Yet for many players, the toughest opponent they face is not the player across the table, but their own emotional state. Few concepts illustrate this better than tilt.

Tilt is responsible for countless blown sessions, early tournament exits, unnecessary bankroll damage, and talented players quitting the game altogether. Understanding what tilt is, why it happens, and how to control it is one of the most important steps a poker player can take toward long-term improvement.

It's a 2 p.m. Start for the First Non-Hold'em Game of the Summer: the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo

Reigning champion, David Shmuel
Reigning champion, David Shmuel

It's a 2 p.m. local time start on May 27 for the fourth event of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Event number four of the 2026 WSOP is the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, the first non-hold'em tournament of the series.

This is a three-day event that will crown its champion on May 29. If past editions of this tournament are anything to go by, that champion will likely take home in the region of $200,000 for their efforts, plus, of course, a coveted gold WSOP bracelet.

📌 Event Snapshot

  • Event: #4 – $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
  • Date(s): May 27-29
  • Time: 2 p.m. local time
  • Buy-In: $1,500
  • Format: Fixed Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
  • Late Registration: Open until the end of Level 9 (approx. 8:45 p.m.)
  • Starting Stack: 25,000 chips
  • Levels: 40 minutes on Day 1, 90 minutes on Days 2-3
  • 2025 Winner: David Shmuel ($205,333)
  • 2025 Field Size: 910 entries
  • 2025 Prize Pool: $1,208,025

Structure and Schedule

$1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better entrants start their quest for glory armed with a 25,000 starting stack. Day 1 is scheduled to last 15 levels, each spanning 40 minutes, with 15-minute breaks planned every three levels; there is no dinner break on Day 1. Late registration remains open for nine levels, closing at around 8:45 p.m. local time.

Those who progress to Day 2 return to the action at 1 p.m. local time on May 28 to play another 10 levels. Blinds increase every 60 minutes on Day 2 and Day 3. Fifteen-minute breaks every two levels and a 60-minute dinner break after Level 21 (approx.7:30 p.m. local time) give players a well-deserved rest.

Day 3 runs on May 29, with the restart time yet to be determined. Players will take 15-minute breaks every two levels, and a dinner break will be announced during play. Day 3 is scheduled to play down to a champion.

Past Champions & History

David Shmuel is the reigning champion of this event, having topped a field of 910 in 2025. Shmuel turned his $1,500 investment into $205,333 and his first WSOP bracelet. Shortly after his maiden WSOP victory, Schmuel told PokerNews, “Omaha Hi-Lo is my favorite game. It’s the game I actually started playing back in 1994. It’s a more relaxing game than hold ’em and more fun to play. Two cards can get a little boring. Don’t get me wrong, hold ’em is a great game, but I think mixed games are more fun.”

Other champions include James Chen, Jim Collopy, Amnon Filippi, and Connor Drinan.

Are You Using MyStack?

Planning on playing this event? PokerNews activates MyStack for every WSOP event, regardless of that tournament's buy-in, allowing you to directly adjust your chip counts in our live reporting

MyStack is a free poker tool that puts you in control of your chip counts on our live reporting pages. Once you have created a free PokerNews account, you can use MyStack to update your chip counts in real time; hopefully, your stack will continue increasing throughout the event!

Never Miss a Moment with MyPlayers on PokerNews

MyPlayers
MyPlayers

Stay closer than ever to the action with MyPlayers. This brand new, free feature on PokerNews puts your favorite poker players front and center. Whether you're keeping tabs on legends like Daniel Negreanu or following a friend grinding their way through a Day 2, MyPlayers delivers real-time updates tailored just for you. No subscriptions, no paywalls - just the hands, chip counts, and bustouts that matter most.

It’s simple: log in, search for any player in our live coverage, hit the star, and they’ll be added to your personalized MyPlayers list. You’ll see their progress across all live-reported events, with chip counts and updates pinned right where you need them at the top.

From railbirds to backers, MyPlayers is the smarter way to stay connected to the game.

Tags: David Shmuel

Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better

Day 1 Started

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