WSOP Officials Remove Shot Clock for 2026 Main Event Final Table

By Mrinal Gujare

4 hours ago

Mrinal Gujare 4 hours ago

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WSOP drops shot clock for 2026 Main Event final table after Day 6 controversy.
Majority of players approve; some criticize mid-event rule changes.
Nine players compete for $10M at Horseshoe Las Vegas August 3-5.

Image by WSOP

WSOP officials removed the shot clock for the 2026 Main Event final table following its controversial Day 6 debut after Loren Klein tanked 15 minutes. Nine players return to Horseshoe Las Vegas August 3-5 to compete for $10,000,000.

World Series of Poker officials have addressed a lingering question surrounding the upcoming final table of the 2026 WSOP Main Event by deciding against using a shot clock.

The initial addition of the shot clock, also known as the Action Clock, occurred after Day 6 of the tournament. The decision marked the first time in the 57-year history of the event that a time-limiting device was implemented.

Tournament organizers instituted the rule following a controversial Day 6 hand where Loren Klein tanked for 15 minutes in an attempt to make a pay jump.

Despite facing plenty of criticism, tournament officials pressed forward with the shot clock implementation across Days 7 and 8.

Once the remaining field reached a single table and entered a two-week hiatus, uncertainty remained regarding whether the clock would remain active for the conclusion of poker's premier event. Now, players and fans have received their definitive answer.

Poker Community Divided on Rule Change

Early responses to the decision revealed that most players agreed with removing the clock. Poker pro Barny Boatman voiced his support, stating, "Congratulations on a very good decision."

Similarly, the Ragzy X account supported the move, posting, "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."

However, the reversal also drew notable disapproval. Harry Gandia expressed criticism regarding the shifting guidelines, stating, "So just changing the goalposts as we go along? Not a good look for one of the most prestigious tournaments in the world."

Final Nine Prepare for Las Vegas Return

The final nine line-up in the WSOP Main Event was officially established in mid-July. Play is scheduled to resume at Horseshoe Las Vegas from August 3-5 to crown a champion.

Twenty-two-year-old Lucas Jumalon holds the chip lead with 194,000,000 chips. Rami Hammoud and Jamie Shaevel round out the top three stacks.

The remaining field features highly decorated competitors, including Canada's Greg Mueller, who holds three bracelets, and America's Michael Gagliano, who possesses four bracelets.

Every remaining contestant has secured a minimum payout of $1,000,000. However, all attention remains focused on the $10,000,000 first-place prize awaiting the champion when play resumes after the three-week gap.

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WSOP Officials Remove Shot Clock for 2026 Main Event Final Table

Poker Community Divided on Rule Change

Final Nine Prepare for Las Vegas Return

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