2026 PokerNews Cup Thunder Valley
Chip Counts
In the 991st episode of the PokerNews Podcast, which is sponsored by FanDuel Poker, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Ben Ludlow are at Level 9 Studios in Las Vegas to discuss the final table of the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event!
Just nine players remain in contention for the bracelet and $10,000,000 first-place prize, with 22-year-old Lucas Jumalon holding an unprecedented chip lead. Others at the final table include bracelet winners Michael "Gags" Gagliano & Greg "FBT" Mueller, while a plethora of big names just missed out, including Will Givens, Todd Brunson, Shaun Deeb, and former champ Hossein Ensan.
The hosts offer their thoughts and predictions on how they think the final table will play out, plus talk about Maurice Hawkins falling just short of a bracelet yet again, and the return of Michael Rocco from the farm!
Be sure to check out the audio version of the PokerNews Podcast that is available on all major podcasting platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud.
Players have reached the next break, with action resuming in 30 minutes.
Late registration will close when cards are back in the air.
Devin Decarie checked the A♥8♠10♥ flop from the big blind, and Aaron Stansbury fired 2,200 in middle position. Decarie then check-raised to 6,000, and Stansbury three-bet to 20,000.
Decarie called and checked again on the 6♠ turn, where Stansbury slid out a bet of 12,000. Decarie called, and watched the 8♥ hit the river before announcing all in.
That put the decision on Stansbury for the rest of his stack, taking some time before opting to let his hand go.
Aaron Stansbury raised to 3,200 in middle position, and Joshua Moessner moved all in for around 15,000 as next to act.
"Alright, let's do it," Stansbury said after taking a moment to consider the call.
Joshua Moessner: A♠K♦
Aaron Stansbury: Q♠J♥
Stansbury hit a piece of the 9♦4♦Q♦ flop, taking the lead while Moessner picked up a diamond draw. The 2♥ turn and 2♣ river were blanks, leaving Stansbury ahead to send Moessner out.
Action folded to Steven Gnatovich in middle position, who moved all in for 15,400. Arlen Sarte made the call in the small blind, and the hands were turned up.
Steven Gnatovich: K♥8♦
Arlen Sarte: A♠Q♥
Gnatovich stood up as soon the A♥4♠9♠ was revealed, giving Sarte top pair. Nothing changed on the 6♥ turn or J♣ river, as Sarte claimed the last of Gnatovich's chips.
The start of Level 8 leaves just 60 minutes of late registration left in Day 1a.
Level: 8
Blinds: 800/1,600
Ante: 1,600
Sung Choi raised from the hijack to 2,600, with Dennis Shirron calling on the button. Brian Winter came along in the small blind, as did James O'Connor in the big blind.
Winter and O'Connor checked the 3♣5♠J♥ flop, and Choi continued for 3,000. That led to a trio of folds around the table, and the pot was shipped to Choi.