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

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Callum Jury
Originally from the Lake District, UK, I’ve spent the last few years living and breathing the Southeast Asian poker circuit. Since 2025, I’ve been a fixture on the floor at the APT, PokerStars, and WSOP events, serving as a lead reporter and media specialist for Somuchpoker. My work is about more than just recording action; I manage the social media and digital content that brings action rail to the fans. By combining a business education and creative background, I aim to look past the technical hand histories to capture the actual human grit and drama that happens during a deep run.
WSOP 2026
WSOP 2026

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.

WSOP 2026
Daniel Negreanu was among the notable names in the Day 1a field but was unable to bag chips on Day 1.

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

RankPlayerCountryChip CountBig Blinds
1 Jansen Satparam United States1,800,00059
2Peyman LuthGermany1,700,00057
3David FarberUnited States1,600,00053
4Steven Buckner JrUnited States1,500,00051
5David ProciakUnited States1,500,00050
6Michael RennaUnited States1,500,00050
7Thomas SchmitterSwitzerland1,300,00043
8Joe TijerinaUnited States1,200,00041
9“Camel Man”Spain1,200,00040
10Mark YarbroughUnited States1,100,00037

 

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

RankPlayerCountryChip CountBig Blinds
1 Peter Cross Japan525,000262
2 Yuliyan Kolev Bulgaria470,500235
3Benjamin WilliamsUnited States456,000228
4Daniel Palau VicenteSpain401,000200
5Clemen DengUnited States358,500179
6Peter MugarUnited States342,000171
7David ChaputUnited States335,500167
8Fikret KovacBosnia & Herzegovina320,000160
9 Tony Lin China316,500158
10 Martin Kabrhel Czech Republic298,000119

 

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.

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