WSOP Main Event Profile: Greg Mueller reignites his poker passion as former hockey pro aims for $10 million.

On July 15, 2026, after the nine-player final table for the WSOP Main Event was finalized, Canadian player Greg Mueller became one of the most watched veteran players. The former professional hockey player and three-time WSOP bracelet winner, ranked fourth with 48,500,000 chips, will continue his quest for the World Championship and the $10,000,000 jackpot with 32 big blinds.

Compared to the many new faces at the final table, Mueller has the most extensive professional tournament experience. Over the years, he has been known for his lively table conversation and humorous style; even as the Main Event entered its most stressful phase, he continued to engage with his opponents, maintaining his consistently relaxed demeanor.

From professional ice hockey player to three-time WSOP gold bracelet winner

Before getting into poker, Mueller was a professional ice hockey player. In 2009, he won his first WSOP gold bracelet at the $10,000 Limit Hold'em World Championship; less than two weeks later, he won the $1,500 Shootout, bringing his bracelet count to two in a short period of time.

However, the third gold bracelet did not come quickly. Mueller finished as runner-up once in 2012, finished third twice in 2013, and reached the final table of the $50,000 Poker Players Championship in 2018. After missing out on the championship, he doubted whether he was still capable of competing with the new generation of players.

In 2019, Mueller won the $10,000 HORSE event, ending a decade-long wait for a gold bracelet and proving that his mixed-game skills remained among the best. Since then, almost all of his live tournament money laundering records have come from the WSOP in Las Vegas.

Once contemplating quitting poker, his deep run in the Main Event reignited his passion.

Mueller admitted that his passion for poker had gradually waned in recent years, and he had even considered quitting the game altogether. However, this WSOP Main Event journey changed his mind. As the depth of the playoffs increased, he rediscovered his engagement with the competition and the poker table.

Mueller described reaching the WSOP Main Event final table for the first time as an unreal experience, even repeatedly asking himself if he was dreaming. He also announced that friends and family from White Rock and Vancouver would form a large support group at the final table, turning this battle for the world championship into a team celebration.

In addition to preparing a final table strategy, Mueller has also set a personal goal for the off-season: to lose 20 pounds before returning to the competition.

Starting from Day 1, Day 3 officially marks the entry into the leading group.

Mueller started the Main Event on Day 1 with a starting chip stack of 100,000. Within the first three levels, he hit trips on the flop and eliminated an opponent who made two pair on the turn, nearly doubling his chip stack.

The real breakthrough came on Day 3. With 1,389 players remaining, Mueller, ranked 41st with 1,124,000 chips, entered the early group of the Main Event for the first time. He then made it through Days 4 and 5 steadily, accumulating 10,000,000 chips on Day 6.

Pocket Jacks were crucial for folding, preventing a major blow on Day 6.

Mueller's Main Event journey wasn't just about all-in victories; it also included several important folds. In one hand on Day 6, the board ran out 10♦9♦3♠6♥, and Mueller, holding pocket Jacks, faced a bet from one player and an all-in from another.

After several minutes of deliberation, he finally folded. The other two players then revealed J♥10♥ and 10♣10♠, and Mueller successfully avoided his opponent's three sets of 10s. The river card did not change the outcome, and he considered this fold a victory.

On Day 7, Mueller faced off against Ori Elul's pocket kings with AJ and hit an ace on the flop to take the lead and eliminate him. Although he finished the day in 19th place out of 21, he still had 13,200,000 chips, enough to launch a comeback on Day 8.

AA defeated KK, making two crucial double-up plays to advance to the top nine.

Entering Day 8, Mueller eliminated Romain Lewis in a classic pocket Aces vs. pocket Kings showdown, laying the foundation for a comeback. However, with the final table bubble closing in, his chip count slipped again, requiring all-in plays to keep the tournament alive.

In the first key double, Mueller defeated Rami Hammoud's pocket nines with pocket Jacks, successfully escaping danger. He then went on to face Michael Gagliano's AK with pocket Queens in a larger pre-double.

Mueller's pocket queens held onto his advantage, allowing him to complete the decisive double-up and secure a place at the nine-player final table. After the match, he described it as the biggest run he'd ever experienced, jokingly comparing his victory to "winning while wearing flip-flops."

2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table Chip Count

Mueller is only 7,500,000 chips behind third-place Jamie Shaevel, and just 2,000,000 chips ahead of fifth-place Michael Gagliano. Apart from Lucas Jumalon's significant lead, the mid-table gaps are quite small, and the early pots of the final table could easily reshape the standings.

Remaining prize money for the WSOP Main Event

All final table players have secured at least $1,000,000. For Mueller, this guaranteed prize is already a significant achievement, but if he can break through from fourth place, he will have the opportunity to add the most iconic WSOP Main Event World Championship to his resume of three gold bracelets.

Players and Final Table Data

Greg Mueller's Main Event story isn't about a rising star suddenly appearing, but rather a veteran player rediscovering his passion for competition after years of self-doubt. From being third-to-last in chips on Day 7 to leaping to fourth place on Day 8 with key hands like AA vs. KK, JJ vs. 99, and QQ vs. AK, he has proven he still has the ability to compete at the highest level.

In the next stage, Mueller will face Lucas Jumalon's significant chip advantage, as well as several opponents with close chip counts in the middle of the game. Regardless of his final ranking, this final table has added an important chapter to his career and allowed the veteran, who had once considered leaving poker, to rediscover the allure of the game.

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