It’s beginning to feel like 2006 all over again at the 2026 World Series of Poker with a familiar name topping the chip counts in the $500 Salute to Warriors event – former Main Event champ Jamie Gold.
Gold leads the final 35 players with 15.7 million chips – good for 39 big blinds.
For Gold, though, things don't feel the same at all.
“It's completely different," he tells us after he bagged for the night. "This feels more like when I came in second at the Circuit event, where the prize pool was similar."
Gold’s runner-up finish in the 2016 WSOP Circuit Main Event at the Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles earned him just under $140K, a distant second-best ever result to the $12M that he won for the 2006 Main Event.
A victory on Tuesday would earn him $208,800, but that’s not what’s driving him.
“I'd like to win this one," he says. "It's not about the money. I'd really like to have another bracelet. There's just something about it. That would be really nice, and on the 20th anniversary of 2006, right? It would be kind of cool.”
Gold said a win in the Salute to Warriors would be especially meaningful because of the event's charitable mission – the WSOP donates a portion of the prize pool to the USO and other charities that support veterans and other ex-military personnel.
“It's so nice to play a charity event that's a real WSOP bracelet event. My dad was a veteran, so it means a lot to me. I always want to play this event if I'm available.”
Gavin-Mather in contention as well
The other marquee name remaining for Tuesday’s final day is Lexy Gavin-Mather.
The popular coach and vlogger has already enjoyed a deep run at the 2026 WSOP, finishing 23rd in the $1,700 Circuit Championship event.
After being in contention for the chip lead much of the day, a late slide will see her coming back on Tuesday with some work to do.
“I’m coming back with 4.3M chips so just over 10 big blinds, but I’m feeling confident.”
She should feel confident, as with all but four players returning with less than 20 big blinds, one double-up will have her right back among the leaders, and with her wealth of experience and talent, she’d immediately be a threat to Gold and a contender for the bracelet.
Play resumes at 11 am PT on Tuesday and is scheduled to play down to a winner.
Additional photos courtesy of WSOP
