The burst of the money bubble remains among the most dramatic moments in the World Series of Poker Main Event. The tension‑filled Thursday when former champion Chris Moneymaker exited the $10,0Series of Poker Main Event money bubble remains one of the tournament’s most electrifying spectacles, and Thursday’s action proved no exception.
Former champion Chris Moneymaker was eliminated early on Day 4, bursting the bubble and securing a minimum $15,000 payout for every player still in contention. His departure came during hand‑for‑hand play after six players were knocked out on the opening hand of the day, leaving seven eliminations required before the remaining field could lock in guaranteed money.
At the start of the day Moneymaker held 221,000 chips, sitting comfortably in the middle of the pack with no immediate signs of danger. Two hands later he found himself in a massive pot against Antonio Vargas.
Moneymaker raised to 17,000 with jack‑nine, called when Vargas re‑raised to 42,000, and saw the flop arrive 8‑7‑7. He called a 20,000‑chip bet from Vargas. The turn brought another seven, prompting Vargas to fire 45,000, which Moneymaker again called. The river delivered an 8, completing a full house on the board. Vargas then moved all‑in for an amount sufficient to put Moneymaker at risk.
With ESPN cameras, tournament reporters and WSOP officials gathered around the table, Moneymaker called. Vargas revealed pocket aces for a superior full house, and the crowd erupted as Jack Effel, senior vice president of poker operations at Caesars Entertainment, announced that Moneymaker had become one of the bubble boys.
Two additional players at separate tables were also eliminated during the hand‑for‑hand sequence, splitting the two minimum payouts with Moneymaker and each receiving $10,000.
Will the Former Champ Be Our Stone Bubble Boy??@CMONEYMAKER is astatine hazard connected the chromatic bubble of the WSOP Main Event.
Will the erstwhile Main Event champ past the reveal, oregon volition helium go the 2026 Main Event bubble boy?
Watch the WSOP Main Event watercourse LIVE contiguous astatine 12pm PT and… pic.twitter.com/s9dAQIMMXB
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 9, 2026
The three bubble boys subsequently drew high cards for a $25,000 seat in the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event, with Zhaken Seitbekov claiming the consolation prize.
Main Event Bubble to Bahamas
Three players busted in the same hand on the 2026 WSOP Main Event bubble, then flipped for a $25,000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event spot after each receiving $10,000.@CMONEYMAKER @Stoyan_Mad
Watch the WSOP Main Event watercourse LIVE NOW and at 6pm PT… pic.twitter.com/ntYQ4Dnakc
— WSOP - World Series of Poker (@WSOP) July 9, 2026
Moneymaker finished the tournament listed as the 1,382nd‑place entrant on the WSOP app, marking his first cash‑out absence from the Main Event since 2023.
Play will resume Friday at Paris Las Vegas for Day 5, as the chase for the $10 million first‑place prize intensifies.
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