PokerNews live coverage of this event will begin on Day 2 (July 4). Until then, we will keep readers informed with updates on chip counts and core event statistics, including entries and the prize pool. Scroll down to see more.
Registration for Flight A has closed with 2,590 entrants. They'll do it all over again tomorrow with Flight B starting at 10 a.m.
*According to the WSOP LIVE app.
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.
According to the WSOP LIVE app.
In the 982nd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are joined by Matt Savage at Level 9 Studio in Las Vegas.
There, they talk about Shaun Deeb's recent bracelet win and whether or not that will be enough to put him over the edge for the Poker Hall of Fame. It certainly was enough to put him back on top of the 2026 WSOP Player of the Year standings. Speaking of the Poker Hall of Fame, Savage shares whether he feels snubbed for not making the list of nominees and who he thinks has the best shot of getting in.
From there, the crew turns its attention to the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) Summit XII, which recently wrapped up at PokerGO Studio. Savage shares a little history about the TDA, his big takeaways, and then Chad shares a highlight video catching up with some of the bigger tournament directors in the game to get their thoughts on this year's summit.
Finally, the crew thanks sponsor Think Jerky, which you can order here.
Find out all about those stories and more in this week's episode of the PokerNews Podcast! Oh, and be sure to check out the audio version of the PokerNews Podcast that is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.
According to the WSOP LIVE app.
ESPN is ramping up its WSOP Main Event coverage this year, the first year the Bristol, CT-based sports network has aired poker's premier tournament since COVID.
The $10,000 buy-in World Championship event begins July 2 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, and runs through Aug. 5, with a three-week break when the final table is reached. Poker fans who watched the WSOP on ESPN before it moved to CBS Sports Network from 2021-2025 will notice some similarities to the broadcasts of old, and a new, enhanced Main Event television and livestream schedule.
The 2026 World Series of Poker continues with Event #81: $800 Summer Celebration No-Limit Hold'em, a low-buy-in tournament designed to attract a broad mix of amateurs and pros.
The action kicks off at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday, July 2 for Flight A and Friday, July 3 for Flight B at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. Each flight allows one reentry, and payouts begin on Day 1, giving players a shot at a quick payday.
With a starting stack of 40,000 chips and 30-minute levels, the structure moves briskly while late registration is available for the first 12 levels. After the flights conclude, the combined field returns on Saturday, July 4, allowing the tournament to crown a champion on Independence Day during the United States' 250th anniversary celebration.
Each starting flight will play 22 levels with 20-minute breaks every four levels and a 75-minute break after Level 16 (≈ 7 p.m.).
The combined field returns Saturday, July 4, at 11 a.m. to play down to a winner. Breaks are 15 minutes every four levels, with a 60-minute break prior to the final table.
This Summer Celebration event is a favorite for players looking for a manageable buy-in with deep starting stacks and the chance to face a diverse field. With early payouts, it offers immediate incentives while still building to a Saturday finale that can launch a summer story for an up-and-coming champion, capped off on Independence Day for a truly memorable finish.
Giuseppe Zarbo, a recreational player from Italy, took down last year's Summer Celebration, winning over half a million dollars and his first WSOP bracelet. Following his victory, Zarbo told PokerNews, "It’s incredible, I played well, but I was very lucky. I win coin flip, coin flip, coin flip, then 20/80 percent, 30/70 percent, and on and on.”
This is the third edition of the $800 Summer Celebration. In 2024, the championship stayed in America as Francis Anderson became the inaugural champion.
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Event #81: $800 Summer Celebration
Day 1a Started
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