As 2025 turns into 2026, we’re talking to some of the biggest names in the poker world and reflecting on the year’s most intereesting stories and events.
Justin Arnwine has amassed a mind-boggling 150 recorded tournaments live since August 4, 2019, and another 80+ tournaments live that haven't been recorded. He’s currently third in all-time podium finishes.
What’s the best thing that happened to you in poker in 2025?
Winning the World Poker Tour NLH Mystery Bounty at the Wynn earlier this month.
And the worst thing?
It was busting during level one of the $10K WPT championship recently.
Did you fulfill your New Year's resolutions?
I did. My 2025 poker goals were to win a 1,000+ entry field without chopping and to get my first six-figure score.
What are your goals for 2026?
This year I got a little caught up in people's commentary of ‘Sure, Arnwine’s won a lot of small tournaments but where's the six-figure score? His wife has one, if he's so good how come he doesn't?’
Some of those voices are more prominent than others. When I would lose a huge coin flip in a tournament that was paying six-figures, I would let that result sour an otherwise positive experience.
Now I have a six-figure score that surpasses Caitlyn's and people are still saying, 'But why didn't he win more in bounties?' I finally realized there's no pleasing people. I could win $6,000,000 and they'd be saying, ‘When's he gonna win 10?’
Bin Weng has won everything at every buy-in level; he even final tabled the $50K high roller against prime Justin Bonomo and Michael Addamo. But some people still don't give Bin Weng his credit and that's my G.O.A.T.
I was at the same table with him in the Wynn $1,600 before his medical issues in the $10K. He was recounting his journey for the table with such a great attitude towards his losses; so if Bin can't please everyone, then I'm drawing dead.
In 2026 I'm not focusing on whether QQ held against AK. All I'm focusing on is, ‘Do I like how I played?’
If the answer is yes, then I'm happy with the tournament, no matter what happens with the all-ins.
What are you most looking forward to in poker in 2026?
Probably the WSOP Main Event. I've never done well in it. But more importantly, I've never played how I really wanted to. Next time I will.
What’s your wish for poker in 2026?
It's really a wish because I don't see it happening, but I wish there was one online poker site, not crypto based, that everyone in America could play on legally.
What advice would you give players in 2026 looking to move up in stakes?
Do not listen to other people who are not winning in the games that YOU WANT TO PLAY IN.
And don't listen to advice from cash game players if you want to win tournaments. Only listen to people who are actually winning, not min-cashing, not final tabling, and laddering up then begging for the chop. NONE OF THAT.
Only listen to people who finished in first place after playing out a tournament.
Justin Arnwine’s most recent win was at the WPT Mystery Millions for $259,670. He has career earnings of more than $1,650,000. Follow Justin on X.
