button in SafariSeven Former Champs Still in the Running on Day 2abc
The next chapter of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event has arrived as the first three flights combine to one, as the dream of being a world champion continues at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas still glimmers with hope for the leagues of hopefuls returning for Day 2abc. The first of two Day 2 flights will feature a total of 2,468 players vying to advance in their pursuit of poker immortality.
Ryuta Nakai (323,000) will walk into the room as the top stack, as the Japanese 25K Fantasy player will look to put an exclamation point on a strong summer in 2026. Nakai has piled up seven cashes thus far, with his best finish coming in the $25,000 No-Limit Heads-Up Championship, where he took third place.
Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryuta Nakai | Japan | 323,000 |
| 2 | Yulian Bogdanov | Bulgaria | 315,000 |
| 3 | Igor Pansovoi | United States | 300,300 |
| 4 | Arturas Astrauskas | Lithuania | 296,700 |
| 5 | Lawrence Brandt | United States | 292,800 |
| 6 | Rahul Gangan | United States | 291,600 |
| 7 | Osmar Rockenbach | Brazil | 286,900 |
| 8 | Jourdan Baptiste | United States | 281,600 |
| 9 | Justin Arnwine | United States | 280,600 |
| 10 | Gaspar Fernandez | Argentina | 279,000 |
Bulgarian Yulian Bogdanov (315,000) is not far behind in the standings. The high roller made a run in the 2025 edition of the main event as he finished just outside of the top 100 in 109th place. Bogdanov entered the main event with four cashes under his belt, but he is still searching for the first bracelet of his career.
Speaking of bracelets, these players know all too well the feeling, as a total of seven returning WSOP Main Event Champions will make their return on Day abc. Joe Cada (133,660), Greg Raymer (122,300), Greg Merson (81,200), Daniel Weinman (79,300), Michael Mizrachi (73,200), Phil Hellmuth (60,000), and Damian Salas (54,800) are all still in the running for the dream of a second main event title.
Poker Hall of Famers Brian Rast (119,100), Erik Seidel (86,400), Billy Baxter (19,800), and Bobby Baldwin (15,500) are also among the poker royalty still in contention as they take their seats.
Freddy Deeb (267,000) will come in with a healthy stack. The Lebanese poker legend will have an opportunity to situate himself for a deep run with a strong performance on Day 2abc.
Other notables who will rub elbows with the field include Scott Seiver (177,700), David “Chino” Rheem (171,300), Qiang Xu (168,000), Josh Arieh (158,200), Chris Moorman (148,600), Sam Soverel (112,600), Jeremy Ausmus (109,300), Stephen Chidwick (83,400), Mike Matusow (48,000), and Jason Koon (18,700).
Action is scheduled to resume at 11 a.m. local time. Play is scheduled for a total of five levels on Day 2abc. New entrants are allowed to enter who have not played in any previous flight. There are 20-minute breaks after every two-hour level, with a 60-minute dinner break after Level 8 at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time. Registration for Day 2abc will close at the end of Level 7, about 3:40 p.m. local time.
Check back here at PokerNews for continued coverage of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.