PokerNews live coverage of this event will begin on Day 3 (June 22). 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.
2026 World Series of Poker
Chip Counts
According to the WSOP Live app.
According to the WSOP Live app.
Brayden Lou managed to improve on an already outstanding year with a remarkable victory in the $500 Freezeout No-Limit Hold’em at the 2026 World Series of Poker.
After weeding his way through a field of 4,100, the inexperienced Lou wrestled the crown away from Jason Hoffman heads-up to claim the $196,066 winner’s share of a $1,701,500 prize pool.
“It’s pretty amazing,” Lou said. “I guess I can scratch this off my bucket list. I ran well, played well. That’s how it usually goes for tournament winners.”
Not that Lou would know, considering he won a gold bracelet in just his fourth ever live tournament.
Ten more levels await the survivors from the first starting flight in Event #50: $1,500 Millionaire Maker as cards get in the air on Day 2a.
Action begins at 11:00 with ten more 60-minute levels. There will be 15-minute breaks every two levels and a 60-minute dinner break after Level 16 (approx. 5:30 p.m.)
Plenty of big names will return including Mark Newhouse, who famously final-tabled the WSOP Main Event in back to back years (2013 & 2014). He returns third in chips behind overnight chip leader Will Givens and Alex Kim.
Event #50: $1,500 Millionaire Maker Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Will Givens | United States | 374,500 | 187 |
| 2 | Alex Kim | United States | 345,000 | 173 |
| 3 | Mark Newhouse | United States | 308,500 | 154 |
| 4 | Thomas Goldsborough | United States | 301,000 | 151 |
| 5 | John Herring | United States | 289,000 | 145 |
| 6 | Jaime Kaplan | United States | 284,000 | 142 |
| 7 | Ronald West | United States | 280,000 | 140 |
| 8 | Stanislav Koleno | Slovakia | 274,500 | 137 |
| 9 | Lucy Lamperouge | United States | 262,000 | 131 |
| 10 | Gael Ruiz | France | 241,000 | 121 |
PokerNews live updates will begin on Day 3 in this event (Monday, June 22). Until then, enjoy chip count updates throughout Day 2a.
Event #50: $1,500 Millionaire Maker
Day 2a Started