The 2026 WSOP Main Event is down to its final two players. Lucas Jumalon and Lauri Sääskilahti will return to the Horseshoe Las Vegas to battle for poker's most prestigious title and the $10 million first prize, after Han Feng, Michael Gagliano, and Greg Mueller were eliminated during an action-packed second day of the final table.
After a cautious opening session, the pace picked up dramatically with double-ups, bad beats, and major eliminations, leaving only two contenders for the world championship.
Chip Counts Heading into Heads-Up
American Lucas Jumalon enters the final match with 328 million chips (109 big blinds), maintaining the chip lead he has held throughout the final table.
Finland's Lauri Sääskilahti starts heads-up with 225 million chips (75 big blinds) and now has the opportunity to become Finland's first-ever WSOP Main Event champion.
Final table payouts so far:
- 3rd: Greg Mueller (Canada) – $3,750,000
- 4th: Michael Gagliano (USA) – $2,750,000
- 5th: Han Feng (USA) – $2,250,000
- 6th: Rami Hammoud (Canada) – $1,750,000
- 7th: Jamie Shaevel (USA) – $1,500,000
Feng's Elimination Changed Everything
The defining hand of the day came when Han Feng moved all-in holding pocket aces against Sääskilahti.
Despite being a huge underdog, the Finnish pro completed a runner-runner straight, eliminating Feng while collecting a massive pot that completely transformed the chip counts.
Reflecting on the hand afterward, Sääskilahti said:
"The day didn't start well for me, but after that, everything seemed to go my way."
Jumalon Never Lost Control
While Sääskilahti surged into contention, Lucas Jumalon never surrendered the chip lead.
The 22-year-old American eliminated Jamie Shaevel, whose K-Q and flopped straight draw failed to improve against Jumalon.
Later, Jumalon also knocked out Rami Hammoud, with A-5 holding against the Canadian's Q-J.
Four-time WSOP bracelet winner Michael Gagliano became the next casualty. His K-Q dominated Jumalon's K-J preflop, but a jack on the turn reversed the situation and sent the American veteran to the rail in fourth place.
Mueller's Rail Stole the Show
One of the day's biggest attractions came away from the tables.
Greg Mueller's supporters, all dressed in matching red shirts and hats, created one of the loudest atmospheres seen at a WSOP final table in years.
After every pot Mueller won, they erupted into chants of "We're not leaving!", helping fuel the former NHL player and two-time Stanley Cup champion through several key double-ups.
His run eventually ended in third place when he ran into Sääskilahti's pocket kings.
Afterward, Mueller praised his rail:
"They gave me incredible energy all day. Whether things were going well or badly, they stayed behind me. It's hard to describe how much that meant."
Patrick Leonard Praises Jumalon's Decision-Making
High-stakes tournament star Patrick Leonard, who helped prepare Jumalon before the final table, believes the young American has been playing at an exceptional level.
According to Leonard, Jumalon made several decisions that initially appeared unconventional—even to him—but proved completely logical upon closer analysis.
His ability to consistently find creative yet fundamentally sound solutions has been one of the biggest reasons he has controlled the WSOP Main Event final table from start to finish.
The heads-up match will determine who becomes the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event champion.
Jumalon enters with the chip advantage, but Sääskilahti stands just one victory away from becoming the first Finnish player ever to win poker's world championship.
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