Table of Contents
The Bottom Line: Bubble Expected to Pop Early on Day 4, Around Level 17
The 2026 WSOP Main Event money bubble is expected to burst early on Day 4, around Level 17. That projection comes from WSOP Czar Kevin Mathers, and it aligns with the historical trend: in 2025 the bubble popped just after Level 17, and in 2024 it burst a few levels later. In practical terms, players who survive the first 17 levels of Day 4 can expect to be in the money, while those who fall just short will feel the sting of a near-miss.
With a 10,000-entry field and seasoned veterans like Brad Booth making a comeback, the stakes around this year's bubble are higher than ever.
The 2026 Field and Four Years of Bubble History
The 2026 Main Event opened with a record-setting 10,000 entries, and Day 1d alone saw 4,694 players take the green-lit tables. By the end of Day 3, the field had shrunk to just 1,524 players, leaving only a handful of eliminations before the money is officially paid. This pattern mirrors the last three years, where the bubble has consistently burst in the early hours of Day 4.
| Year | Day 3 Field | Paid | Players Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3,453 of 9,735 | 1,462 | 1,476 |
| 2024 | 3,617 of 10,112 | 1,518 | 1,524 |
| 2023 | 3,538 of 10,043 | 1,507 | 1,518 |
| 2022 | 2,993 of 8,663 | 1,302 | Money reached late on Day 3 |
For a closer look at how the early flights unfolded, see our 2026 WSOP Main Event Day 1b results recap, covering the top stacks and notable eliminations.
Brad Booth Returns After More Than a Decade
After more than a decade away from the Main Event, Canadian veteran Brad Booth re-entered the field on Day 2abc, sitting on a 55,000-chip stack two levels into the tournament. Booth's return is more than a nostalgic headline; it is a personal redemption story.
"It's been a minute, definitely north of a decade." - Brad Booth - (see original)
His goal is to secure his first live tournament cash since 2013 and to honor commitments he made to friends and family during a difficult period of his life. As he told PokerNews:
"Oh, cashing the Main would mean a lot for me, but it would also mean a lot for others." - Brad Booth - (see original)
Day 41 Highlights: Top 10 Chip Counts After Day 1d
Day 41 of the 2026 WSOP was dominated by the Main Event, with 4,694 entrants on Day 1d. Taylor von Kriegenbergh led the way after the first day, amassing 312,800 chips.
| Rank | Player | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taylor von Kriegenbergh | 312,800 |
| 2 | Michael Comisso | 293,000 |
| 3 | Sean Costa | 292,600 |
| 4 | Michael Rossitto | 289,300 |
| 5 | Terrence Burke | 287,000 |
| 6 | David Wells | 283,000 |
| 7 | Juan Becerra | 277,000 |
| 8 | Jameson Kauch | 263,500 |
| 9 | Gonzalo Almada | 256,100 |
| 10 | Alexander Dovzhenko | 255,000 |
With Day 2abc set to shuffle at 11:00 a.m. local time, surviving players will face fresh blinds and a new wave of competition. The Main Event's structure ensures that every level brings a new challenge, and the bubble's timing will test players' stamina and focus.
What It Means for Players: Strategy Before and After the Bubble
An early Day 4 bubble means that players who can navigate the first 17 levels of the fourth day will secure a payday, while those who fall just short walk away with nothing. In the high-variance environment of a 10,000-entry field, this dynamic forces players to balance aggression with caution.
- •Preserve chips above all
- •Tighten hand selection to lock up a cash
- •Avoid high-variance confrontations
- •Take calculated risks
- •Pressure the short stacks
- •Build a stack aimed at the final table
- Players close to the money tend to tighten up to preserve chips
- Those who have already cashed can take calculated risks to build a stack that survives the final days
- For veterans like Booth, the bubble is a chance to prove experience still matters; newcomers must rely on disciplined play to survive the early stages
As the tournament progresses, the focus shifts from simply making the money to positioning for the final table. For a full game plan across this marathon event, see our WSOP Main Event marathon strategy guide.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 WSOP Main Event drew a record 10,000 entries, with 4,694 players on Day 1d alone
- WSOP Czar Kevin Mathers projects the bubble will burst early on Day 4, around Level 17 - just as it did in 2025
- The field stood at 1,524 players at the end of Day 3, only a handful of eliminations from the money
- Brad Booth is back after more than a decade, chasing his first live cash since 2013
- Taylor von Kriegenbergh leads the Day 1d chip counts with 312,800
- Tighten up to protect a cash near the bubble; once in the money, shift to building a final-table stack