Mixed Game Festival XIV Day 8: Mori and Huck Seed Share the Fun
Day 8 of the 14th Mixed Game Festival featured two Poker Hall of Famers: Mori Eskandani and 1996 WSOP Main Event champion Huck Seed. They played low-stakes $4/$8 and $6/$12 mixed games at the Bellagio poker room, interacting closely with enthusiasts. Also, Patrick Ang was named Player of the Day and Jason Gabriel was named Dealer of the Day.
Legendary Appearances, Low Stakes Fun
What makes the Mixed Game Festival so special? Beyond the rare poker variant combinations and camaraderie among players, the participation of celebrities is the icing on the cake. On Day 8 of the 14th Mixed Game Festival (June 9, 2026), poker television pioneer and Poker Hall of Fame member Mori Eskandani arrived at the Bellagio poker room as promised, joining the $4/$8 mixed games. This industry legend made significant contributions to the development of televised poker, and his appearance excited the players on site—not only could they compete at the same table with him, but they could also listen to him share anecdotes from the golden age of poker.
Even more surprising, 1996 WSOP Main Event champion and fellow Poker Hall of Famer Huck Seed also made a spontaneous decision to visit. He arrived a few hours after the games started, sat down without any airs at the $4/$8 and $6/$12 tables, and rotated between various tables, giving every participant a chance to play against a world champion. This experience of facing legends in a low-stakes environment is the unique charm of the Mixed Game Festival.
Player of the Day: Patrick Ang
The PokerCoaching.com Player of the Day award went to Patrick Ang from Ottawa, Canada. He flew to Las Vegas specifically for the Mixed Game Festival, and this is not his first time attending—he has been a regular since the very first edition held at the Westgate. Patrick describes this as “the best home game in Vegas.” He loves the intellectual challenge of mixed games and the relaxed, social atmosphere. During this event, he happened to sit next to Huck Seed and asked him about the evolution of the WSOP Main Event. Seed said: “Thirty years ago, players had better instincts at the table. Nowadays, while there’s more focus on data analysis, instincts have weakened.”
Dealer of the Day: Jason Gabriel
The RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day award went to Jason Gabriel. He moved to Vegas from Fresno, California in 1998. He originally taught himself to deal at the Orleans poker room and is now passionate about mixed games. His professionalism and dedication earned him recognition from the organizing committee.
The Meaning Behind Low Stakes
The Mixed Game Festival stakes are extremely low ($4/$8 to $6/$12), but it is precisely this low barrier that attracts many big-name players to return to their roots. Besides Mori and Seed, many other celebrities have participated in previous years. They give back to the game in this way, promoting the friendly atmosphere of mixed games.
Looking Ahead
As Day 8 concludes, the Mixed Game Festival is entering its final stretch. The organizing committee says that surprise guests may still appear in the remaining days. Players interested in mixed games should seize this last chance to participate.
FAQ
- Low stakes aim to lower the entry barrier, giving more poker enthusiasts the chance to play alongside professionals, while creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere to promote mixed game variants.