International news
The WSOP and Solana will host a nine-player invitational free-for-all tournament on August 4 in Paris Las Vegas, hosted by 2006 Main Event champion Jamie Gold. The tournament offers a total prize pool of $100,000, with the champion taking home $50,000 and all participants guaranteed at least $2,500.
On August 4, 2026, the World Series of Poker and the Solana Foundation will collaborate to present a special invitational tournament. The World Series of Poker Solana Showdown will be held in Paris Las Vegas, hosted by Jamie Gold, the 2006 WSOP Main Event champion, and will feature nine creators and representatives from the crypto industry competing on the same stage used for the Main Event final table.
This tournament is a freeroll event, allowing participants to compete for a total prize pool of $100,000 without paying a buy-in. The champion will take home $50,000, while the nine remaining participants are all guaranteed at least $2,500.
Jamie Gold hosts the WSOP Solana Showdown
Jamie Gold will host the WSOP Solana Showdown. Gold, who won the WSOP Main Event in 2006, will be serving as an official Solana ambassador to help crypto industry guests attending the tournament for the first time understand live poker competition.
Before the official dealing, Gold will provide a crash course in tournament poker for the nine participants, covering basic strategy, opponent reading, and poker psychology. For participants lacking experience in large live tournaments, this course will be an important preparation for adapting to WSOP rules and the pace of the table.
Nine representatives from the crypto industry were invited to participate.
The list of invitees released by PokerNews includes many creators and representatives active in the cryptocurrency and digital content fields:
| Serial Number | contestants |
|---|---|
| 1 | MinhxDynasty |
| 2 | Ansem |
| 3 | Ashley D. Can |
| 4 | Ryan Solomon |
| 5 | Wendy O |
| 6 | Banks |
| 7 | Bangerz |
| 8 | Rasmr |
| 9 | Gabriel Haines |
Nine players will compete for the championship under standard WSOP tournament rules. The event will not only test the ability to quickly master poker strategies, but will also further connect the cryptocurrency community with live WSOP competition.
Starting with 100,000 chips, 15-minute fast blinds
The WSOP Solana Showdown is a nine-player fast-paced format where each player starts with 100,000 chips and the blinds last for 15 minutes.
| Event Information | content |
|---|---|
| Tournament | WSOP Solana Showdown |
| date | August 4, 2026 |
| Place | Paris Las Vegas |
| Number of participants | 9 people |
| Buy | Free Invitational Tournament |
| Starting Scoreboard | 100,000 |
| Blind Level | 15 minutes |
| Total prize pool | $100,000 |
| Champion Prize Money | $50,000 |
| host | Jamie Gold |
The 15-minute blinds mean the game will be fast-paced. Players will need to accumulate chips within a limited time and adapt to the decision-making pressure as the blinds continue to rise. The tournament will be played according to standard WSOP rules until a champion is crowned.
The champion takes half of the prize pool.
The $100,000 prize pool for this free invitational tournament will be shared by all nine participants, with the champion receiving half of the prize pool.
| Ranking | bonus |
|---|---|
| 1 | $50,000 |
| 2 | $25,000 |
| 3 | $10,000 |
| 4 | $2,500 |
| 5 | $2,500 |
| 6 | $2,500 |
| 7 | $2,500 |
| 8 | $2,500 |
| 9 | $2,500 |
The runner-up will receive $25,000, and the third-place winner will receive $10,000; fourth through ninth place will each receive $2,500. Even if a participant is eliminated first, they will still take home a guaranteed prize.
Solana becomes a key partner of the 2026 WSOP.
Solana will serve as a major sponsor partner during the 2026 WSOP series, with its brand logo appearing on the field and the WSOP main event stage. The two parties will also integrate cryptocurrency buying functionality through the WSOP Live app.
According to the partnership agreement announced by both parties, players can use their digital assets on the Solana network to complete tournament registration, reducing the need to carry large amounts of cash and handle cross-border payments. The Solana Foundation will also serve as the official title sponsor of the 2026 WSOP and WSOP Paradise.
Jamie Gold believes that Solana's partnership with the WSOP reflects a shift in poker payment methods. As more players use cryptocurrencies for account deposits, withdrawals, and tournament registrations, digital payments are playing an increasingly important role in the global poker economy.
Extending from tournament registration to on-site card tables
WSOP Solana Showdown represents a further expansion of the collaboration between the two parties, extending beyond payment and tournament registration to live tournaments.
Compared to traditional WSOP bracelet tournaments featuring professional poker players, this invitational tournament primarily draws participants from the crypto industry and content creation. A key feature of the event is the provision of pre-tournament guidance by world champions, followed by hands-on experience on the WSOP Main Event stage.
With a 15-minute fast-paced blind format and a $50,000 winner, it's difficult for players to wait long for top-tier starting hands. How well players utilize Jamie Gold's strategic advice, adapt to short-stack pressure, and quickly analyze their opponents will directly impact the championship outcome.
PokerNews will provide live updates and information on the WSOP Solana Showdown. The key to this special free invitational tournament will be who among the nine representatives of the crypto industry can take control of the tournament's pace the fastest.
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.
Further News Reading
International news
WSOP Online | Raphael Caixeta wins his first gold bracelet; 3,607 players take home $207,000 in the opening event.
International news
Onyx High Stakes Championship | Mikalai Vaskaboinikau narrowly entered but defied expectations to win the title and take home $450,000.
International news
Potomac Summer Poker Open | AA vs. KK vs. QQ, three players go all-in, Einsidler tops set, narrowly avoiding a flush.
International news