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2026 WSOP Day 38: The Main Event Begins as Negreanu and Kabrhel Strike Gold
The 2026 WSOP Main Event kicks off with a bang as Ryuta Nakai leads Day 1a, while Negreanu and Kabrhel add more gold to their illustrious careers.
TL;DR
Day 38 of the 2026 World Series of Poker witnessed the highly anticipated start of the $10,000 Main Event, alongside significant bracelet victories for Daniel Negreanu and Martin Kabrhel. Ryuta Nakai emerged as the chip leader for Day 1a of the Main Event, setting the stage for an electrifying championship.
Day 38 of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) was nothing short of spectacular, delivering a whirlwind of high-stakes drama, celebrated victories, and the much-anticipated launch of poker's most prestigious tournament. From multi-tabling marvels to a new millionaire, the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas buzzed with action as the poker world turned its gaze towards the unfolding events.
Adding to his already controversial legacy, Martin Kabrhel defied expectations by capturing his sixth career bracelet. The Czech grinder, known for his distinctive table talk and unconventional play, managed to multi-table three events simultaneously, demonstrating a remarkable blend of skill and endurance. His latest triumph further solidifies his polarizing yet undeniable presence in the poker elite.
Meanwhile, a roar erupted through the venue as Daniel Negreanu secured his eighth WSOP bracelet in Event #76: $100,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha. "Kid Poker" bested Artur Martirosian in a thrilling heads-up battle, flopping his way to a monumental $2,257,718 payday. This significant win not only adds another piece of coveted hardware to the GGPoker ambassador's collection but also pulls him firmly out of the red for the series, a welcome relief for one of poker's most transparent figures.
Beyond these headline-grabbing victories, the day also saw Patrick Stacey claim his maiden WSOP bracelet in Event #77: $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball, defeating Danny Tang heads-up to pocket a career-best $223,177. Not to be outdone, Daisuke Ogita became the latest Japanese sensation to join the millionaire's club, winning Event #72: $1,000 Mini Main Event and its accompanying seven-figure prize and bracelet.
The main event everyone had been waiting for, Event #82: $10,000 WSOP Main Event NLH World Championship, finally got underway with Day 1a. A total of 772 hopefuls took to the felt, though only 543 managed to bag chips after five levels of intense play. Leading the charge was Japan's Ryuta Nakai, who amassed an impressive 323,000 chips, putting him firmly in control heading into Day 2abc. Nakai's strong performance follows a successful summer, including a third-place finish in the $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em Heads-Up Championship for $300,000.
Day 1a of the Main Event wasted no time in delivering drama, with the first elimination occurring almost immediately. Anthony Marini earned the unwanted distinction of being the first player out, losing a significant pot with ace-king of diamonds against Ryan Sands' black aces in a preflop all-in confrontation. Sands, meanwhile, secured an early double-up.
Only one other player, Igor Pansovoi (300,300), joined Nakai in the exclusive 300,000-chip club, with Australia's Gregory Sly (254,500) rounding out the top three. A host of past WSOP Main Event champions also navigated the day successfully, including Joe Cada (133,600), Greg Merson (81,200), Daniel Weinman (79,300), Phil Hellmuth (66,000), and Damian Salas (54,900), all eyeing another shot at glory. Notables such as Scott Seiver (177,300), Dimitar Danchev (175,200), and Sam Soverel (112,600) also advanced, while poker legends Erik Seidel (86,400) and Maria Konnikova (39,200) finished with varying stacks, ready to battle on Day 2abc on July 6.
Here are the top 10 chip counts from Day 1a of the $10,000 WSOP Main Event:
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds | |---|---|---|---|---| | 1 | Ryuta Nakai | Japan | 323,000 | 404 | | 2 | Igor Pansovoi | United States | 300,300 | 379 | | 3 | Gregory Sly | Australia | 254,500 | 318 | | 4 | Arie Kliper | Israel | 254,100 | 318 | | 5 | Go Kato | United States | 245,700 | 307 | | 6 | Domenico Gala | Italy | 241,000 | 301 | | 7 | Richard Rohr | United States | 229,100 | 286 | | 8 | Masato Yokosawa | Japan | 221,800 | 277 | | 9 | Earl Goodman | United States | 221,600 | 277 | | 10 | Matthew Russell | United States | 217,300 | 272 |
In other events, Day 2 of Event #78: $600 Deepstack Championship No-Limit Hold'em saw its field of 556 players whittled down to a mere 50. South Korea's Seong Han (6,285,000) holds a narrow lead over the USA's Lisa Tan (6,230,000), who is making a strong bid for her first bracelet after cashing in the Millionaire Maker and finishing seventh in the Ladies Championship. Day 3 will play down to five players, guaranteeing a new bracelet winner.
Event #79: $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em is also hurtling towards its conclusion, with Andrew Moreno (11,955,000) leading the final 13 players. Moreno, who has come close to a bracelet several times, including a sixth-place finish in the 2016 Millionaire Maker, faces stiff competition from multi-bracelet winners like Asi Moshe (9,950,000), David Miscikowski (5,815,000), Chris Moorman (3,140,000), and Main Event champion Martin Jacobson (2,145,000). The final day promises a thrilling battle for the gold bracelet.
As Day 1b of the Main Event kicks off on July 3, the poker world eagerly anticipates more record-breaking numbers and unforgettable moments. With multiple events reaching their climactic stages and the Main Event now in full swing, the 2026 WSOP continues to deliver on its promise of high-octane poker action.
