Former Main Event Champions Advance After Day 1 of WSOP Event #16

The 2026 World Series of Poker continued to generate massive field sizes at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, with Event #16: $1,700 U.S. Circuit Championship No-Limit Holdem concluding its opening day of play. 

The newly introduced tournament attracted thousands of entries, setting up a competitive landscape as the remaining field advances to Day 2.

By the time the final bags were sealed at the conclusion of Day 1, the massive starting lineup of 2,148 entrants had been trimmed down significantly. 

Only 381 players managed to navigate the opening levels and secure their survival for the next stage of the tournament.

Among the survivors returning for Day 2 action are two high-profile players who have previously captured the sport's ultimate achievement. Former World Series of Poker Main Event champions Joe McKeehen and Jonathan Tamayo are both actively grinding in this event, ensuring that elite tournament experience remains in the field.

Joe McKeehen enjoyed a highly productive opening day, accumulating a healthy stack of 240,000 chips. His performance positions him well above the current pace of the lower tier stacks as play resumes. Jonathan Tamayo also secured his baseline for Day 2, though he faces a steeper uphill battle after bagging up 65,000 chips.

With 381 out of 2,148 players left in contention, the tournament has eliminated the vast majority of its field. The surviving players will return to the felt to continue their pursuit of the inaugural U.S. Circuit Championship title, with the tournament structure moving closer toward the money spots and the final table payouts.