As the final table of the 2026 WSOP Main Event kicked off on ESPN, all eyes were on the 22-year-old chip leader Lucas Jumalon, and for good reason.
Poker Twitter had been lit for two weeks with both praise and speculation: would the young Spokane, Washington, native go wire to wire for the $10,000,000 payday, or crash and burn under the pressure?
Not since Koray Aldemir in 2021 had a player begun the final table as the chip leader and gone on to win the bracelet. Jumalon did it – closing it out in style and never relinquishing his chip lead.
I spoke with poker's new world champion for an exclusive edition of PokerOrg's The Interview.
Watch the full episode above, read on for a preview, or check the links below to listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
What makes Jumalon stand out from the crowd?
There’s a contagious youthful idealism about Lucas Jumalon, and a sense that he may not yet fully grasp the surreal whirlwind that comes with wearing the WSOP Main Event crown.
But it’s clear that he has a sincere desire to be a great player and ambassador beyond one incredible tournament result.
“I want to be the best poker player I possibly can at the end of the day,” says Jumalon. “That's my main priority.”
He possesses a genuine ambition to embrace the responsibilities that come with the championship mantle, as well as to help grow the game for his generation and those coming up behind him.
Make no mistake: he has a plan and no shortage of ideas to make it happen.
“I think poker has really been needing someone to take the reins. It feels like poker needs a little bit more juice and oomph to get it over the hill.”
Can Jumalon help push for online poker’s return?
His ideas encompass a reframing of ‘the poker dream’, with the goal of removing many of the roadblocks that have emerged over the past 15 years, including the limited availability of online poker across the US.
“I will get involved in some of the legalities behind the game and try to get online poker back in the US completely. It would give some hope to the younger guys that some things are still possible.”
For Jumalon, though, taking the reins means keeping something else very precious to him alive.
“People have kind of given up on the ‘poker dream’. But it’s still alive and well. I just did it. It’s possible if you’re willing to put in the time.”
The Interview — Lucas Jumalon
Highlights from our in-depth conversation with Lucas Jumalon include:
- What kind of response has Lucas received from around the world following his WSOP Main Event win?
- How much did Patrick ‘Pads’ Leonard charge for coaching Jumalon to poker’s grandest title?
- What was the key piece of advice he gleaned from his conversation with Main Event winner Chris Moneymaker?
- Will he accept Daniel Negreanu and Josh Arieh’s challenge to 'play for rolls' on the golf course?
- What’s the plan for the $10,000,000 payday — and how much is going into his poker bankroll?
- When will we see Lucas competing again?
- And much more...
Watch Lucas Jumalon’s full exclusive interview with PokerOrg’s Craig Tapscott in the video above or listen now on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
Check out more extensive interviews with some of poker’s biggest names below, or check out other episodes with Kristen Foxen, Chris Moneymaker, and Daniel Negreanu.
