Lex Veldhuis makes triumphant poker comeback with fresh 2026 ambitions
Lex Veldhuis has returned to poker streaming after a break in 2025. The Dutch player, now a free agent, is looking ahead to a fresh start in 2026. His comeback includes a recent tournament win and a renewed focus on content creation. Veldhuis first began playing poker in 2004, leaving his criminology studies to turn professional. He joined PokerStars as an ambassador in 2009, becoming a regular on shows like High Stakes Poker and The Big Game. His last major appearance before stepping back was on The Big Game on Tour in early 2025.
Over the years, he built a large following, amassing over 300,000 subscribers on Twitch. His streaming success earned him Best Streamer awards at the 2018 and 2019 Global Poker Awards. In September 2024, he also secured his first World Championship of Online Poker (WCOOP) title. After a period away from the tables, Veldhuis returned to streaming and quickly found success. He won a $108 buy-in Bounty Hunters Special on GGPoker, taking home $2,541.22. The victory marked his first tournament win since leaving PokerStars, ending a 15-year sponsorship deal.
Veldhuis now enters 2026 as one of poker’s most recognisable free agents. His recent tournament win and return to streaming signal a busy year ahead. Fans and followers will be watching to see his next moves in the industry.
