With the conclusion of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event inching ever closer, we're taking a look back on some of the key hands that dictated the runs of the nine players who reached the final table.
With 13 players remaining late on Day 8 of the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event and seven-figure payouts looming, Michael Gagliano put an end to Hossein Ensan's deep run in dramatic fashion.
It was something of a perfect situation for Gagliano as he faced a raise from the button and an all-in from Ensan in the small blind before looking down at two cowboys in the big blind.
When all the chips went in, Ensan was drawing to only three immediate outs – maybe not as dreamy for Gagliano as Greg Mueller's aces versus kings clash, but still a pretty nice spot to score a knockout on one of the toughest players remaining in the field.
Roll the tape below to see how it played out, the hand in question starts at the 12:55 mark.
Ensan dead on the turn, Gagliano surges
It all started with a raise from Lauri Saaskilahti on the button as he put his 
to work. Ensan, with a little more than 25 big blinds, proceeded to move all-in from the small blind with 
.
And then Gagliano looked down at 
in the big blind and moved all-in over the top to see out Saaskilahti.
With the cards on their backs and 55 big blinds in the middle, Ensan was up against the ropes – but he still had outs.
Hossein Ensan won the 2019 WSOP Main Event – and nearly made the final table this year. The 
flop added to those outs, but the 
turn left him drawing dead. While meaningless, the 
river improved Ensan to a no-good two pair – a little extra needle from the poker gods as the 2019 WSOP Main Event champion took his leave in 13th place.
As for Gagliano, the infusion of chips all but ensured him a seven-figure payout and a final table appearance as only three more eliminations separated him from both.
