'Kabrhel wants to play me for $2M’: Frankie C on the WSOP and picking his battles

Posted on: May 20, 2026 08:40 PDT

The countdown to the 2026 WSOP starts here. 100 bracelets. The world's best players. And PokerOrg will be on the floor from start to finish.

Frankie C has become one of poker’s biggest content creators, turning high-stakes challenges and viral videos into a rabid YouTube following. Now, after signing with the WSOP as an official vlogger, he’s focused on taking his poker game to the next level.

Heads-up versus Negreanu, O'Malley and Kabrhel

You’ve been out of the country for few months. How have you been preparing for the WSOP grind?

I’ve been playing tournaments and using those as warm-ups for the WSOP. I did play in Prague and some events in Asia.

I've also been focusing on staying mentally and physically fit, by eating a cleaner diet, and cutting out caffeine to use it more effectively during the WSOP. It will definitely hit stronger for me now when I need it.

What's been the most exciting thing you've done since last summer?

It all starts with my son, Tony. He’s huge now at two and a half years old. Watching him grow up is so different than just a year ago. We are getting to see more of his personality.

Also, I've done a lot of big spectacles on my YouTube channel, such as fighting UFC champ Sean ‘Suga’ O’Malley and playing Daniel Negreanu heads-up for $10K.

Martin Kabrhel wants Frankie C to put up $1M apiece to play a heads-up match later this year.

So, who’s next?

Building on last year, I’m working to come up with something to one-up myself. I think it's on the horizon. For example, I have a match planned versus Martin Kabrhel later this year.

I think he thinks he can beat me, which is great. I think I can beat him, too. That's what makes it a good match. He wants to play for $2M. I'm trying to work him down to something more reasonable.

What do you find most fulfilling about creating poker content?

The realization I've had is that, when you're in the process of creating, your dopamine comes from the thought of people enjoying what you make.

If no one watched my content, I don't think I would enjoy making it anymore. That's something that I realized this year, specifically. I just love the idea of creating something that people enjoy. It just keeps you going. It allows me to work 14-hour days every day, forever. I don't get tired of it.

You’ve had some fun heads-up challenges. Anyone else on your list to go head-to-head with?

I’ve always wanted to play with Isildur [Viktor Blom]. He's on my list. There are still many of the elite top players I've never actually had a chance to sit down with. I feel like I haven't even dipped my toes in that water yet.

Viktor Blom: Isildur1 making another very deep run

Viktor 'Isildur1' Blom is one of Frankie's dream players to challenge in the future to a heads-up battle.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Why Frankie hopes the Main Event winner is an unknown

You chose to leave your engineering job to pursue your poker dream. Any regrets?

Honestly, even when I started my engineering job, I had assumed that at some point my YouTube would take over. I was hoping, at least.

It's easy to get stuck at a job because it's scary to leave. If you start getting a little bit of money, it's hard to quit the thing that's working. I got super lucky when the YouTube channel started working out for me.

What inspires you the most?

The belief that I'm good at poker and the belief that I can get really good at poker.

How do you see the impact of ESPN coming back on board with the WSOP this year?

I see more than 10,000 players in the Main Event this year. It’s going to drive a lot more celebrities and athletes to go play the main, because it's going to be cool AF.

The post-production show is going to air on TV worldwide and it will also garner millions of views on YouTube. And I think ESPN holds itself to a standard that poker deserves.

I'm really hoping this year the Main Event winner is an unknown, like in the Rocky movies. It will be a great storyline for ESPN and it will inspire a lot of people.