wsop
LIVE 2009 WSOP Main Event Champ Joe Cada Makes Strong Start on Day 1
Former WSOP Main Event champion Joe Cada shows strong performance on Day 1 of the 2026 WSOP Main Event, while Daniel Negreanu and Martin Kabrhel secure bracelets.
TL;DR
The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) saw intense action on Day 1, with 2009 Main Event champion Joe Cada accumulating a significant chip stack. Simultaneously, poker veterans Daniel Negreanu and Martin Kabrhel each claimed new WSOP bracelets in separate events.
The 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event commenced with 2009 champion Joe Cada making a strong showing on Day 1, bagging a substantial stack. Cada's early performance sets a notable tone for his deep run potential in the tournament.
Meanwhile, Daniel Negreanu secured his eighth WSOP bracelet by winning the $100k High Roller PLO event. On the same day, Martin Kabrhel captured his sixth WSOP bracelet in the WSOP Online $3,200 No-Limit Hold'em High Roller, earning $195,195. Kabrhel's win was particularly noteworthy as he was simultaneously in the money in three separate WSOP events, necessitating travel between the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas venues.
Other notable events included Phil Hellmuth's annual dramatic entrance to the WSOP Main Event, this time dressed as a superhero. In the $2,500 Mixed Triple Draw Lowball event, Allen Kessler, a long-time poker professional, was among the final five players, though with the shortest stack. In the $3,000 Freezeout No-Limit Hold'em, John Juanda, a five-time bracelet winner, was deep with 32 players remaining, while David Miscikowski held the chip lead among 38 contenders.
Separately, Daisuke Ogita won Event #72: $1,000 Mini Main Event, securing a prize of $1,000,000. Last year's WSOP Main Event final table participant Leo Margets faced an uphill battle on Day 1a, with her chip stack significantly reduced to 8,000 from a 60,000 starting stack.
