Josh Arieh makes it to the PPC final table again! The seven-time champion is just six players away from his dream of winning the Poker Players Championship.

The final table lineup for the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC), one of the most prestigious events in the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), has been finalized.

After fierce competition among poker legends and hybrid game masters, seven-time WSOP bracelet winner Josh Arieh successfully made it into the final six, once again standing at the center of the stage he has most coveted in his career.

For Arieh, this is not just a final table, but a crucial opportunity to make up for past regrets and make history.

This is my third time reaching the PPC final table.

As one of the most respected mixed-game poker players, Josh Arieh already boasts an impressive resume.

As of now:

• 7 WSOP Gold Bracelets
• More than $13 million in live tournament prize money
• Dozens of WSOP final table experiences

However, his career accolades have always lacked one of the most important titles – the Poker Players Championship.

This tournament marks Arieh's third appearance at the PPC final table in his professional career.

His closest brush with the championship came in 2019 when he fought his way into the singles final but ultimately lost to Phil Hui and finished as runner-up.

Now, seven years later, he has another chance to compete for the championship.

Why is PPC considered the highest honor in the poker world?

Unlike regular Texas Hold'em tournaments, the Poker Players Championship is considered one of the most challenging poker tournaments in the world.

The competition features a variety of poker games rotating throughout, including:

• Limit Hold'em
• Omaha Hi-Lo
• Razz
• Seven Card Stud
• Stud Hi-Lo
• No-Limit Hold'em
• Pot-Limit Omaha
• 2-7 Triple Draw

Players not only need to master Texas Hold'em skills, but also need to have world-class ability in multiple mixed games.

Therefore, the PPC champion has long been considered a symbol of the "most complete poker player," and its prestige is even regarded by many professional poker players as second only to the WSOP Main Event champion.

Benny Glaser leads the final table

Although Josh Arieh successfully advanced, he still faces a group of world-class opponents.

Before the final table began, British mixed games master Benny Glaser entered the final stage in the lead.

Glaser already has eight WSOP gold bracelets and is in hot form for this series.

If he wins the championship, he will receive his ninth gold bracelet and further solidify his status as the king of modern hybrid games.

Phil Ivey continues his pursuit of his 12th gold medal.

Aside from Arieh, Phil Ivey remains the biggest focus of this year's PPC.

This 11-time WSOP bracelet winner also successfully advanced to the final table.

Despite being widely regarded as one of the greatest players in poker history, Ivey has never won a PPC championship.

If he wins the championship, he will not only receive his 12th gold bracelet, but also complete the most important piece of the puzzle of his career.

Therefore, this year's final table has been described by many media outlets as one of the most intense PPC showdowns in recent years.

Arieh's chance for revenge has finally arrived.

This advancement was particularly special for Josh Arieh.

The experience of being runner-up in 2019 is still fresh in the minds of many poker fans.

He fought his way into the one-on-one tournament, but ultimately missed out on the championship.

In the past few years, although he has won gold bracelets, he has never been able to stand on the PPC final stage again.

Now, having reached the final table for the third time, he has more experience and a more mature competitive mindset than before.

PokerNews reported that Arieh was very excited about the final, knowing that it might be one of his best chances to win the PPC championship again.

The final table lineup was nothing short of an "all-star poker team."“

The lineup of the final six is absolutely amazing.

Apart from:

• Benny Glaser
• Josh Arieh
• Phil Ivey

In addition, there are:

• Kristopher Tong
• Paul Volpe
• Nick Guagenti

Almost every one of them is a top professional player in the hybrid gaming field.

Regardless of who ultimately wins, they will become one of the most prestigious champions of the 2026 WSOP.

Just one step away from my dream

For many professional poker players, a WSOP gold bracelet is enough to mark the highlight of their career.

For a legendary player like Josh Arieh, what he truly cherishes is the Chip Reese Trophy, the symbol of the all-around poker champion.

Seven gold bracelets, a decades-long career, countless championship titles...

Now, he is only five opponents away from the championship he most desires.

Will he be able to fulfill his long-cherished wish this time?

The entire poker world is waiting for the answer.

Want to change Texas Holdem from "can understand" to "can win"?

If you want to learn more about Texas Hold'em, you can continue reading：

The Origins of Texas Hold'em: Why is it the World's Most Popular Poker Variant?
Texas Hold'em Hand Rankings and Showdown Rules (Beginner’s Essentials)
Texas Hold'em Betting teaching: Check / Bet / Call /Raise and Betting Strategy Analysis
The importance of Texas Hold'em position? Why is the back position more advantageous?
How to play Texas Hold'em? Novices learn Texas Hold'em rules, processes and betting teaching in 10 minutes
Texas Hold'em Starting Hands Strategy Guide: Which Hands to Play?
Texas Holdem Starting Hands Chart Tutorial: Complete Starting Hand Chart and Position Strategy
How to play Texas Hold'em? Complete rules and a hand's flow (Preflop / Flop / Turn / River)

Hunter Poker offers comprehensive tutorials, hand analysis, and strategy sharing to help players upgrade from simply "reading the cards" to understanding the range . This allows you to make better decisions in every hand.

▶️ In Facebook Follow Hunter Poker.
📘 In Youtube Follow Hunter Poker.

Want to learn more about Texas Hold'em gameplay and strategies?

Online Texas Hold'em free tournaments typically have no entry fee, making them ideal for beginners to familiarize themselves with the rules and for advanced players to test strategies and gain experience. View full brand profiles to learn about each platform's free tournament schedule, features, and target audience.

Go to learn more