WSOP 2026 Day 1 Recap: Mini Mystery Millions and $5,000 8-Handed NLHE Get Underway

WSOP 2026 is in session! The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is officially underway at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, with two events getting their opening flights in the books on Tuesday. The $550 Mini Mystery Millions drew a massive early crowd, while the $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em attracted a sharp, high-calibre field for its single Day 1 session.

Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions — Day 1a

A field of 1,635 entrants fired Day 1a of the Mini Mystery Millions, generating a $419,377.50 prize pool across the flight. After 22 levels of 30-minute play, just 60 players survived to bag chips for Day 2, with Jansen Satparam setting the early pace.

The Las Vegas native topped the counts with 1,800,000 chips (59 BBs), holding a comfortable lead over Germany's Peyman Luth (1,700,000) and David Farber (1,600,000). Three-time WSOP bracelet winner David Prociak is also well-placed, bagging 1,500,000 (50 BBs) to sit fifth overnight.

Among the notable entries was Daniel Negreanu, who took a shot at the $550 opener but couldn't find a bag by the time play wrapped up.

Event #1: $550 Mini Mystery Millions — Day 1a Top 10 Chip Counts

Other notables to bag chips include Gabriel Andrade (805,000), Chad Eveslage (690,000), DJ Buckley (620,000), Jake Schwartz (385,000), and Dan Sepiol (215,000). Day 1b fires at 10:00 a.m. local time on May 27, with another 22 levels scheduled.

Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em — Day 1

The $5,000 8-Handed event drew 415 entries on its opening day, building a $1,913,600 prize pool, with late registration remaining open into Day 2. Of those starters, just 142 advanced, led by Japanese pro Peter Cross, who bagged a dominant 525,000 chips (262 BBs) to sit a full stack clear of the field.

Cross is no stranger to big scores in Las Vegas, having taken down a WPT World Championship side event in 2022 and a $25,000 High Roller during the Wynn Millions in March 2025. Bulgaria's Yuliyan Kolev — a familiar face on the WSOP circuit — sits second with 470,500, while Benjamin Williams rounds out the top three with 456,000. Martin Kabrhel is also in the mix, bagging 298,000 (119 BBs) to sit 11th.

Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed No-Limit Hold'em — Day 1 Top 10 Chip Counts

Other survivors of note include Chris Hunichen (249,500), Brian Yoon (226,000), Eugene Katchalov (189,000), Nate Silver (175,500), Christian Harder (133,000), and Benny Glaser (37,500). Day 2 begins at 1:00 p.m. local time on May 27, with late registration open until approximately 3:15 p.m.

All figures and data courtesy of PokerNews and the WSOP.