button in SafariHuge Crowd Expected For Day 1c of the Mini Main Event
The excitement of the Main Event arrives a few days early as Event #72: $1,000 Mini Main Event No-Limit Hold'em returns to the WSOP schedule the 2026 World Series of Poker hosted by the Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas. This tournament serves as the ultimate mass-participation event, offering the "Main Event experience" at a fraction of the cost.
Today is the third and final starting flight. Day 1a drew 2,599 entries, while Day 1b attracted 4,053 players. Day 1c could be larger than both flights combined.
Yesterday's Day 1b saw only 295 of the 4,053 starters advance to Day 2. Switzerland's Karim Ghozlani (3,750,0000) bagged up the chip lead and came out on top of some legitimate poker stars.
Event #72: $1,000 Mini Main Event Day 1b Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Karim Ghozlani | Switzerland | 3,750,000 | 94 |
| 2 | Mohammad Habib Nia | United States | 3,650,000 | 91 |
| 3 | Bartlomiej Kijak | Poland | 3,430,000 | 86 |
| 4 | Maksim Petrov | Estonia | 3,215,000 | 80 |
| 5 | Bart Lybaert | Belgium | 2,600,000 | 65 |
| 6 | Ricky Flora | United States | 2,350,000 | 59 |
| 7 | Hyong Kim | United States | 2,290,000 | 57 |
| 8 | Kyle Hughes | United States | 2,265,000 | 57 |
| 9 | Seiji Sasaki | Japan | 2,120,000 | 53 |
| 10 | Guilherme Bernardino | Brazil | 1,965,000 | 49 |
📌 Event Snapshot
- Event: #72 – $1,000 Mini Main Event
- Date(s): June 28 – July 2
- Time: 10 a.m. local time
- Buy-In: $1,000
- Format: No-Limit Hold’em
- Late Registration: 12 Levels (approx. 5 p.m.)
- Reentries: One entry per starting flight
- Starting Stack: 60,000 chips
- Levels: 30 minutes
- 2025 Winner: Martin Kabrhel – $843,140
- 2025 Field Size: 10,794 entries
- 2025 Prize Pool: $9,498,720
Structure and Schedule
Flight B kicks off at 10 a.m. Players will navigate 22 levels on Day 1, each lasting 30 minutes. The rapid-fire nature of the levels ensures the field narrows quickly, while the 60,000-chip stack provides plenty of early play.
Late registration remains open for 12 levels (until approx. 5 p.m. for each starting flight). Players eliminated in Flight A yesterday may enter Flight B or C, and those who bust out of Flight B today may enter Flight C on Tuesday. The field combines on Wednesday, July 1, at 11 a.m. to play down to a winner.
Why is This Event Significant?
The Mini Main Event is the "everyman's" championship. It mirrors the Main Event's energy and prestige but is accessible to recreational players. With a first-place prize that often approaches $1 million, it represents one of the best ROI (Return on Investment) opportunities of the entire series.
Past Champions & History
In 2025, Martin Kabrhel conquered a massive 10,794-entry field to earn $843,140. The sheer scale of the event makes it a marathon of endurance. “Everybody loves me!” Kabrhel joked, adding that he'd have liked the bracelet to have “a few more diamonds on it.”
In 2024, Georgios Skarparis won this tournament for $554,925 when he defeated a field of 6,076 contenders. The previous year, the Mini Main drew 5,257 entrants, who created a $4,678,730 prize pool. America's Brad Gafford came out on top, raking in $549,555 and his first WSOP bracelet.
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