There aren't two ways to put it, so I'll put it the only way there is: last year's World Series sucked for me.
In 2025, I didn't last long enough in the Main Event to even take a bathroom break. And frankly, the first part of this year's WSOP summer wasn't anything to write home about either.
So, I went home for a while. Sometimes that's all you can do. But if you thought I was going to miss the Main Event, you don't know me very well.
After taking a little time off to clear my head and hang out with my family, I made it back to Las Vegas for the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event.
And not only did I survive Day 1 this year, ESPN decided to clean me up and put me on the big stage and big screen.
Moneymaker on The Countdown
The WSOP and ESPN have done all they can this year to treat poker as it should be: like college football gameday. One of the coolest things they have done is create a show that looks a lot like the show we all watch on Saturday mornings in the fall.
And while I might not be Pat McAfee (I don't own enough nice tank tops), I clean up pretty good. Or at least that's what my wife said.
So, not only am I serving as the Guest Editor for PokerOrg all summer, I've also gotten my moment under the lights on ESPN.
I've been doing daily vlogs every day I'm out here in Vegas, and this one shows my big closeup.
Time to survive
Meanwhile, even though I made it to Day 2, I've got a tough day in front of me. If you've watched me play over the last 20 years, you know that everybody and their brother wants to bust me. I'm starting today with fewer chips than I had when I started the tournament. I'm going to need some early luck to spin my stack up to something playable on Day 3...if I make it there.
And, hell, if that doesn't work out, maybe I've got a future in TV!
