WSOP Removes Shot Clock From 2026 Main Event Final Table

The 2026 WSOP Main Event final table will begin without a shot clock, giving the final nine players more time to handle decisions involving seven-figure prize jumps.

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Good To Know

• Final table play runs from August 3 through August 5 in Las Vegas.
• ESPN and ESPN2 will broadcast all three nights live.
• Tournament staff can introduce a clock if repeated stalling occurs.

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WSOP Gives Final Nine More Decision Time

WSOP officials removed the shot clock after discussions with players and tournament staff. Normal tournament rules still allow a player to call the clock when an opponent takes too long.

“Our goal is to create the most natural playing environment possible, giving players the time they need to make the biggest decisions of the tournament,” WSOP said.

Officials also kept the option to introduce timed decisions if they detect repeated or excessive delays. The decision therefore removes automatic limits without giving players unlimited freedom to stall.

Shot clocks only entered the 2026 Main Event during the later stages. Tournament staff introduced them from Day 7 after Loren Klein spent about 15 minutes considering one hand on Day 6.

Less incentive to delay exists at a single table because no other table can produce an elimination or prize jump while one player waits. However, long tanks could still slow the live broadcast or disrupt play.

Every finalist has already secured at least $1 million, while the champion will collect $10 million. Large jumps near the top give players a reason to value extra thinking time over a faster television pace.

WSOP Main Event Final Table Schedule

Final table play will take place over three nights from August 3 to August 5.

• August 3: 9 p.m. to midnight ET on ESPN2
• August 4: 9 p.m. to midnight ET on ESPN
• August 5: 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. ET on ESPN

Edited final table coverage will air on ESPN2 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. ET on August 10. International coverage will also run through Eurosport and TNT Sports in more than 60 markets across Europe and Asia.

Jumalon Returns With Huge Chip Lead

Lucas Jumalon leads the final nine with 194 million chips, more than twice the stack held by second-place Rami Hammoud. Jamie Shaevel, Greg Mueller and Michael Gagliano complete the top five.

An earlier iGaming.org article profiles all nine WSOP Main Event final table players, including experience, chip counts and key results. The lineup also features Mario Boos, Lauri Saaskilahti, Han Feng and Evagoras Evagorou.

The three-night final represents the first WSOP Main Event conclusion on ESPN since the broadcaster and tournament ended their previous agreement in 2021. The new media deal includes more than 100 hours of Main Event programming.

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