Shot Clock Removed for 2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table
The 2026 WSOP Main Event made history by introducing a shot clock during Days 7 and 8, following a slow-play controversy on Day 6. However, WSOP officials now confirm the shot clock will not be used at the final table, a decision that split the poker community. Many players welcomed the change, arguing the original issue could have been handled by floor staff alone. The final table returns in August, headlined by chip leader Lucas Jumalon, with all nine players eyeing the $10 million top prize.
- WSOP removed shot clock for 2026 Main Event final table after early-round controversy.
- Decision sparked mixed reactions in the poker community, with most players approving.
- Final table players guaranteed $1M each, with $10M awaiting the champion in August.
WSOP officials removed the shot clock for the 2026 Main Event final table after initial implementation in earlier rounds. Nine players returned to Horseshoe Las Vegas in August, led by Lucas Jumalon, competing for a $10,000,000 first prize championship payout.
World Series of Poker (WSOP) officials made headlines following Day 6 of the 2026 WSOP Main Event when, for the first time in the tournament's 57-year history, they made the decision to implement a shot clock, also known as an "Action Clock."
The decision was prompted by a controversial hand on Day 6 in which Loren Klein tanked for 15 minutes in an effort to make a pay jump.
Although the rule change faced substantial criticism, the WSOP pressed forward with shot clocks for Days 7 and 8.
When the field reached a single table and entered a two-week hiatus, one major question remained: would the shot clock stay in effect at the final table?
Players and fans now have an answer, as officials have confirmed that the shot clock will not be used for final table action.
Community Reaction to the Shot Clock Removal
Early responses revealed that most players agreed with the decision to remove the shot clock for the final table.
Poker professional Barny Boatman expressed his support, stating, "Congratulations on a very good decision."
The Ragzy X account also shared approval while pointing to floor management, stating, "This is the right thing to do. Shouldn't have changed the rules in the first place. Issue was floor staff didn’t do their job monitoring or they would have caught the 1 person with the excessive stall and there wouldn't have been any problems."
Conversely, the mid-tournament policy change drew significant criticism from other figures in the poker community.
Harry Gandia voiced frustration over the ongoing changes, noting, "So just changing the goalposts as we go along? Not a good look for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world."
WSOP Main Event Final Table Schedule and Chip Counts
The final nine players of poker's premier tournament were officially set in mid-July. The remaining line-up will return to Horseshoe Las Vegas from August 3-5 to play down to a winner, resuming play exactly three weeks after reaching the final table.
Twenty-two-year-old Lucas Jumalon leads the field with 194,000,000 chips. Rami Hammoud and Jamie Shaevel sit directly behind him to complete the top three chip counts.
The final nine also includes established champions. The most decorated players remaining in the field are Canada's Greg Mueller, who holds three WSOP bracelets, and America's Michael Gagliano, who has won four bracelets.
Each of the final nine players has guaranteed themselves at least $1,000,000. However, all eyes remain focused on the $10,000,000 first prize waiting at the end of the tournament when play resumes.
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