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The WSOP has announced that timers will be removed from the 2026 Main Event final table, reversing the previous decision to implement Days 7 & 8. This move has sparked mixed reactions. The final table will be held from August 3rd to 5th.
The WSOP has announced that timers will be removed from the 2026 Main Event final table, reversing the previous decision to implement Days 7 & 8. This move has sparked mixed reactions. The final table will be held from August 3rd to 5th.
World Series of Poker (WSOP) officials made headlines on Day 6 of the 2026 WSOP Main Event – for the first time in the event’s 57-year history, they decided to implement a timer (also known as an “action timer”).
This decision was made after a controversial hand on Day 6—Loren Klein spent 15 minutes deliberating in an attempt to jump the prize pool. Despite the considerable criticism this decision received, the WSOP continued to run the timer on Days 7 and 8.
With the tournament reduced to just one table and a two-week break in between, one question lingered: would the timer continue to run at the final table?
Now, the players and fans have the answer.
On Thursday evening, the WSOP released a statement on social media:
After discussions with players and tournament staff, we have decided not to use a timer at the WSOP Main Event final table next week.
According to the official tournament rules, players can request the start of a timer if they believe their opponent's actions have taken too long. Tournament staff also reserve the right to start a timer, but we expect this discretion to be exercised only in exceptional circumstances, and we will remain neutral.
If repeated or excessive delays negatively impact the pace of the game, the WSOP reserves the right to implement a timer.
Our goal is to create the most natural competition environment, giving players ample time to think during the most crucial decision-making moments of the tournament.
Early responses indicated that most players agreed with the decision.
"Congratulations on making a very good decision," said poker pro Barny Boatman.
The Ragzy X account stated: "This was the right thing to do. The rules shouldn't have been changed in the first place. The problem was that the on-site staff didn't fulfill their supervisory responsibilities—if they had spotted that player who was excessively delaying, there wouldn't have been any issues."
Nevertheless, there has been considerable criticism. For example, Harry Gandia stated, "So we're just going to change the rules as we go? That's not a good image for one of the world's most prestigious tournaments."
When will the WSOP final table be held?
The final nine players for the WSOP Main Event, the biggest poker tournament, were confirmed in mid-July. They will return to Horseshoe Las Vegas from August 3 to 5 for the final round to determine the champion.
22-year-old Lucas Jumalon leads with 194,000,000 chips. Rami Hammoud and Jamie Shaevel are behind him in second and third place, respectively. The remaining players with the most chips are Greg Mueller from Canada (three gold bracelets) and Michael Gagliano from the United States (four gold bracelets).
The remaining nine players have secured at least $1,000,000 in prize money, but all eyes are on the $10,000,000 champion prize waiting for them – the tournament will resume in three weeks.
2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Chip Count
| Ranking | player | country | Chip quantity | big blind number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lucas Jumalon | United States | 194,000,000 | 129 |
| 2 | Rami Hammoud | Canada | 79,000,000 | 53 |
| 3 | Jamie Shaevel | United States | 56,000,000 | 37 |
| 4 | Greg Mueller | Canada | 48,500,000 | 32 |
| 5 | Michael Gagliano | United States | 46,500,000 | 31 |
| 6 | Mario Boos | France | 44,000,000 | 29 |
| 7 | Lauri Saaskilahti | Finland | 37,500,000 | 25 |
| 8 | Han Feng | United States | 25,000,000 | 17 |
| 9 | Evagoras Evagorou | Cyprus | 22,500,000 | 15 |
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