WSOP 15th Time's a Charm? Poker Player Seeks First WSOP Main Event Cash After 14 Misses

For many poker aficionados, the World Series of Poker Main Event represents the pinnacle of the game, a chance to etch their name into history and secure a life-changing score. For veteran grinder DJ Mackinnon, it's a familiar battleground where glory has, thus far, remained just out of reach. Mackinnon, a respected figure in the poker community with over $1.2 million in live tournament cashes recorded by The Hendon Mob, is currently navigating his 15th consecutive Main Event, a testament to his persistence and enduring love for the game. Yet, despite his impressive resume, a Main Event cash still stands as an unfulfilled ambition.

Mackinnon took his seat for Day 1d on Sunday, the final opening flight of the 2026 WSOP Main Event. By this point, the field had already swelled past 7,500 entries, with registration still open for two levels on each Day 2. The prospect of cashing, which will likely see around 1,500 players make the money, is a significant milestone for any participant, and for Mackinnon, it would mark the end of a protracted drought.

His journey through Day 1d was not without its characteristic Main Event drama. Starting with 60,000 chips, Mackinnon managed to climb to 80,000 at one point before a classic cooler saw him "run kings into aces for a little bit," bringing his stack down to around 45,000 by the dinner break. Despite these setbacks and 14 previous attempts ending without a payout, Mackinnon remains remarkably sanguine about his Main Event fortunes.

"At the end of the day, it's just 14 tournaments," Mackinnon told *PokerNews* during a break, attributing his lack of cashes to the inherent variance of poker. He elaborated, "It's not a big sample-size in the grand scope of tournament poker. You know, 14 times busting isn't like... if it was a normal tournament at the beginning of the summer, no one would really think about it. So, it's just amplified because it's the Main Event. Everybody is just hyper-focused on this tournament."

While the Main Event money bubble has proven elusive, Mackinnon is no stranger to deep runs. He boasts four WSOP final table appearances, with his most recent in 2018, though a coveted gold bracelet has also evaded him. He's made it to Day 3 of the Main Event "a bunch of times," often falling short due to critical coin flips or "standard cooler spots for big stacks." He even recalled a couple of instances where his Main Event campaign ended before the dinner break on Day 1.

A recent shift in Mackinnon's professional life might offer a fresh perspective on his Main Event aspirations. He recently joined Blez Sports Cards, a venture spearheaded by WSOP commentator and high-stakes player Jared Bleznick. This new role means Mackinnon is moving away from playing poker as his sole livelihood, a change he finds liberating.

"There's different pressure on me now, because I actually have a job, and it's not, you know... I think everybody who plays poker for a living obviously circles the Main Event on their calendar. It's their chance to make it in poker," Mackinnon explained. He now views a Main Event cash with less financial urgency, stating, "It's not a big deal" if he fails to cash. "It's a little refreshing that I can come play some tournaments down at the WSOP and not be so hyper-focused on what happens," he added. "All I have to do is play as well as I can and see what happens."

Mackinnon, who has also contributed his expertise to the WSOP by consulting on its schedule creation, emphasizes his desire to remain "involved with poker," whether as a professional or, as now, a recreational player. When asked if he might alter his Main Event strategy given his track record, he mused, "Maybe I'll start coming Day 2 like everybody else. Maybe that's what I need to do."

As Day 1d concluded, Mackinnon was still in contention, a glimmer of hope for breaking his 14-year Main Event cash drought that began in 2011. Whether this 15th attempt will finally be the charm remains to be seen, but his enduring presence and philosophical approach to the game serve as a reminder of the unique challenges and enduring allure of poker's most prestigious tournament.