With the conclusion to the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event inching ever-closer, we're taking a look back on a few of the key hands that dictated the runs of the nine players who reached the final table.
In any deep run, you'll play one or two hands that either make or break your results.
Whether it's losing a flip for a big stack or a big blind defense that helps you crack an overpair, you're going to play a crucial hand at some point. And while it's in no way comparable to any other tournament in a given year, the Main Event is no different.
Below, you can read on (and watch) to learn about a crucial hand that propelled Finland's Lauri Saaskilahti onwards towards the final table and a record-breaking run in the Main Event for his home country.
Barry Greenstein on the river
It was late on Day 7 when Saaskilahti found himself all-in and at-risk for his tournament life.
With an end-of-day bag-up well in sight and the final table looming on the horizon beyond, Saaskilahti clashed in a massively consequential pot against accomplished professional Brock Wilson.
At the time, there were 35 players still in the hunt for poker's most prestigious prize and after Saaskilahti and Wilson got all the chips in the middle, the odds tell us there should have been 34 – but not this time.
It all started when the Finn defended his big blind with 
against an early position raise from Wilson.
With a little over 6M chips in front of him at the 200K/400K (400K) blind level, he connected with middle pair on the 
flop.
Unfortunately for him, Wilson had 
and a covering stack which he could employ in pursuit of value.
In the face of a check, Wilson continued for 500K into the 2.2M in the middle. Saaskilahti opted for a raise to 2M and Wilson made a quick call to bring in the 
turn.
With only 4M remaining, the Finn pushed the majority of his stack across the betting line before Wilson responded with a verbal all-in declaration to ensure all the chips were in play.
"Ah, you have me. I have to call," Saaskilahti said as he pushed the rest of his chips forward. "I have some outs."
And he wasn't wrong there. With only 11% equity to end the hand with his tournament life intact, the odds were not in his favor.
Sometimes, the Main Event delivers a miracle – as if it actually wants to keep a certain player in the running.
The 
river was that miracle, at least for Saaskilahti. For Wilson, it was nothing but a gut-punch.
The WSOP Main Event final table plays out from August 3-5. Stick with PokerOrg for all the news from the climax to poker's grandest spectacle.
