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.
Shaun Deeb came up one spot short yet again for a 2026 World Series of Poker bracelet, falling to Joey Couden in Event #52: $3,000 Nine Game Mix after a grueling three-and-a-half-hour heads-up battle. The defeat was Deeb's ninth in a bracelet match and dropped his all-time heads-up record to 8-9.
The latest near miss added to a frustrating run of runner-up finishes for the eight-time bracelet winner. Deeb had already finished second twice at WSOP Europe earlier this year to take an early lead in the Player of the Year race, but after arriving in Las Vegas with just one cash through the opening weeks of the series, another silver medal may prove crucial as he chases back-to-back POY titles.
As painful as Deeb's 8-9 record may be, it doesn't rank among the unluckiest in WSOP history. Several poker crushers have reached heads-up for a bracelet time and again, only to walk away empty-handed. Here are the players with the most WSOP runner-up finishes without ever sealing the deal.
According to the WSOP live app.
The poker community asked, and the WSOP listened.
In a major shake-up to the Poker Hall of Fame, the induction process is shifting away from its traditional "winner-takes-all" format. A brand-new voting system has been introduced, paving the way for up to six of the eight nominees to be inducted in a single year.
Nominations are now open for the 2026 Poker Hall of Fame. Once the public determines the top eight nominees, the final decision will rest with the 33 living Hall of Fame members.
According to the WSOP live app.
Ethan "Rampage" Yau hasn't made much noise in the tournament streets at the 2026 World Series of Poker, cashing just twice so far this summer. But while the bracelets have proved elusive, the poker vlogger has been printing money in the biggest cash games in Las Vegas.
The WSOP bracelet winner is in the middle of the hottest run of his career on Hustler Casino Live. Over his last three appearances on the streamed high-stakes game, Yau has piled up more than $1.3 million in profit, including a $707,000 win on June 19. Combined with scores of $302,000 and $316,000 earlier in the month, Rampage has turned three sessions into a seven-figure heater.
Despite just two WSOP cashes to his name this summer, Yau has more than made up for it under the dimly lit lights of HCL, where the biggest pots have been going his way.
The largest starting flight of Event #50: $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold'em resulted in 779 players out of 3,121 entries advancing, and they will return for Day 2c today at 11 a.m.
Leading the way is Daniel Moran who has clear water between him and Dean Ruan who sits second in chips.
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daniel Moran | United Kingdom | 605,000 | 303 |
| 2 | Dean Ruan | United States | 407,500 | 204 |
| 3 | Benoit Fiasson | France | 367,500 | 184 |
| 4 | Brandon Morisson | United States | 367,000 | 184 |
| 5 | Mario Diaz Quilez | Spain | 350,600 | 175 |
| 6 | Xiang Zou | United States | 335,000 | 168 |
| 7 | Alexander Guerriero | United States | 329,000 | 165 |
| 8 | Maurice Tan | United States | 322,500 | 161 |
| 9 | Sebastian Paraianzay | United States | 318,500 | 159 |
| 10 | Roberto Pagano | United States | 311,500 | 156 |
There will be ten more levels played on Day 2c before they bag for Day 3. Blinds start at 1,000/2,000/2,000, with 155 players already through to Day 3 from Days 2a and 2b.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the latest updates.
Event #50: $1,500 Millionaire Maker
Day 2c Started
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