High-stakes poker showdown begins at Venetian Resort with 1,247 players
The $1,100 No-Limit Hold'em Main Event kicked off on March 7, 2026, at the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. A total of 1,247 players registered for the tournament, which began with two starting flights—Day 1a and Day 1b. The competition promises intense action as players vie for a top finish in one of the year's most anticipated poker events.
Day 1a saw Josh Wallace emerge as the chip leader, finishing with 788,000. Cam Stewart also performed strongly, bagging 742,000—the only other player to surpass the 700,000 mark.
Day 1b started at 1 PM on the same day, with blinds set at 40 minutes each. Players entered with a 40,000-chip starting stack and had nine levels to register or rebuy. By the end of the session, only 12.5% of the field remained, narrowing the competition significantly.
The second day of action will resume with the lowest blinds from either starting flight. This ensures a fair and balanced restart for all remaining participants.
The tournament has now progressed past its early stages, with just a fraction of the original field still in contention. The survivors will return to the tables soon, aiming to build their stacks and secure a spot in the later rounds. The Venetian Resort continues to host the event, which remains a key highlight of the poker calendar.
