2026 WSOP Main Event Day Four: Bubble Bursts, Sam Sweilem Leads 533
Day Four of the 2026 WSOP Main Event saw the money bubble pop after tense hand-for-hand play, eliminating 1,389 players down to 533. Sam Sweilem leads with 3.8 million chips, while former champions and pros like Chris Moneymaker, Kristen Foxen, and Joe Hachem exited with min-cashes. Defending champ Michael Mizrachi survived a rollercoaster day with 440K. Play resumes Friday with $10 million top prize in sight.
The 2026 WSOP Main Event's Day Four delivered high drama as the money bubble burst and the field shrank from 1,389 to 533 players. Sam Sweilem of Tampa, Florida emerged as the chip leader with 3.8 million, holding a slim edge over a star-studded field.
Dramatic Bubble Play
Play began Thursday with 1,389 hopefuls, but seven would leave empty-handed. Hand-for-hand play slowed the action to a crawl as short stacks fought to survive. Professional Chance Kornuth fell early, his K♦7♦ losing to a full house when his flush draw failed on the river.
At approximately 4 PM (3:57 exactly), the bubble popped with six simultaneous all-ins. Tournament Director Jack Effel scrambled to each table. Three players survived, but three were eliminated, including 2003 World Champion Chris Moneymaker. The three bustouts split the 1,382nd and 1,381st place prize money ($30,000 total, $10,000 each) and became eligible for a $25,000 seat to the 2026 WSOP Paradise. Zhaken Seitbekov won that seat; Moneymaker did not.
Former Champions and Top Pros
Once in the money, eliminations accelerated. Former champions John Cynn, Scott Blumstein, and Joe Hachem cashed but exited, alongside Kristen Foxen, Jesse Sylvia, Chris Moorman, and Ren Lin. Defending champion Michael Mizrachi had a volatile day at the featured table. Starting with 615K, he peaked over 1.2 million. In one memorable hand, his pocket Kings survived an A-J-J flop, hitting a river King for a better full house to knock out an opponent holding A-J. Yet Mizrachi finished the day with just 440K, needing a strong Day Five.
Alex Foxen fared better. After his wife Kristen Foxen min-cashed, he hit a royal flush en route to 1.695 million chips, positioning himself for a deep run.
Chip Leaders and Notable Stacks
Sweilem quietly accumulated chips all day. The top ten stacks entering Day Five:
- Sam Sweilem (USA) – 3.8 million
- Steven O’Nan (USA) – 3.6 million
- Artur Martirosian (Russia) – 3.495 million
- Kyle Mart (USA) – 3.48 million
- Chih Fan (Taiwan) – 3.365 million
- Shreesh Hebbar (Canada) – 3.34 million
- Felix Kuemayr (Austria) – 3.125 million
- Arman Bezhanian (Russia) – 3.1 million
- Dan Stavila (Moldova) – 3.06 million
- Farid Jattin (Colombia) – 3.04 million
Jattin has lurked in the top ten since Day One and eliminated Martin Kabrhel. Martirosian is another dangerous contender. Other notables include Brock Wilson (2.145 million, 25th), Day Three leader Sasha Liu (2.34 million, 29th), Daniel Hachem (2.11 million, 35th), Anton Wigg (2.015 million, 41st), and Day Two leader Michael Rossitto (1.845 million, 55th).
On the short stack watch: Poker Hall of Famer Todd Brunson (205K), Vanessa Kade (215K), former champion Hossein Ensan (255K), Mizrachi (440K), and former champion Ryan Riess (455K).
Looking Ahead to Day Five
The 533 survivors return Friday at 11 AM PDT for five 120-minute levels. Blinds are 10K/20K with a 20K big blind ante. Everyone is guaranteed $32,500, but the dream of the $10 million first prize and the WSOP Main Event title remains alive.
FAQ
- Sam Sweilem leads with 3.8 million chips.