LIVE Daniel Negreanu and Other Stars Join Day 1d of the Main Event

The final starting flight of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event, Day 1d, concluded after five levels of intense play, leaving a trail of both soaring successes and surprising struggles among poker's elite. While many hopefuls punched their tickets to Day 2, it was the contrasting fortunes of some of the game's biggest names that truly captured attention.

Leading the charge among the Day 1d big stacks was none other than online poker phenom Viktor "Isildur1" Blom. The enigmatic Swede, renowned for his high-stakes online cash game exploits, demonstrated his live tournament prowess by more than tripling his starting stack. Blom, who began the day with 60,000 chips, steadily built his arsenal to an impressive 180,000, positioning himself strongly for the next stage of the Main Event.

However, not all legends enjoyed such a smooth ride. Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu, a perennial crowd favorite and one of the most recognizable faces in poker, found himself in a precarious position. "Kid Poker" was hovering around the 30,000-chip mark after the dinner break, a significant drop from his initial 60,000. Similarly, the ever-consistent John Juanda, a five-time WSOP bracelet winner, also struggled to gain traction, ending the day with a comparable stack of approximately 30,000 chips. Both veterans will need to mount a serious comeback on Day 2 to make a deep run in poker's most prestigious tournament.

The atmosphere in the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas ballrooms was electric, characteristic of the Main Event's final opening flight. Players like Christine Brewer, Edward Pak, Erika Weinstein, Maria Konnikova, Orson Young, Sebastien Hetzel, Todd Brunson, Tomas Szwarcberg, and Will Berry were also spotted navigating the tables, each with their eyes set on poker's ultimate prize.

Beyond the Main Event, the 2026 WSOP continued to deliver thrilling moments. Zixuan Liu, the latest bracelet winner, celebrated his victory in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event, revealing plans to buy his wife a new car with his winnings. This heartwarming story underscored the life-changing potential of a WSOP gold bracelet.

Another compelling narrative unfolded as a dedicated poker player made their 15th attempt to cash in the Main Event, highlighting the perseverance and dream-chasing spirit that defines so many participants. While the outcome of that particular quest remains to be seen, it serves as a powerful reminder of the elusive nature of Main Event success.

Meanwhile, Event #86, the $600 Ultra Stack No-Limit Hold'em, kicked off, offering another opportunity for players to claim a coveted bracelet and a significant payday. These side events provide a constant hum of action alongside the Main Event's grand narrative, catering to a wide range of bankrolls and ambitions.

As the dust settled on Day 1d, the focus now shifts to Day 2, where the surviving players from all four starting flights will converge. Viktor Blom's strong performance sets him up as a player to watch, while the struggles of Negreanu and Juanda add an element of dramatic uncertainty. The path to the Main Event final table is long and arduous, and only time will tell which of these poker titans will emerge victorious.