Follow Nick Palma’s bracelet hunt at the 2026 WSOP as he shares what the summer grind in Las Vegas is really like.
I was disappointed I wasn’t drafted in the $25K Fantasy this year. I know it’s heavily based on mixed games, but I’m playing no-limit and PLO all the way up to $25Ks, so I thought I’d be a pretty good option.
I feel like I should have been drafted over a bunch of people who did, but that’s okay. I've come to the WSOP to crush, and now I’ve got a side mission of punishing all the guys who didn't draft me.
I am a bonus player in the ODB Fantasy game. Patrick Leonard drafted me on a lot of his ODB teams, which pissed me off because I wanted to draft myself and win it. Patrick is very sharp, and he’s putting in like 30 entries, so if I want to win it, I’ve got to get through all his teams.
‘I think I’m winning three bracelets’
This is going to be the biggest WSOP schedule I’ve ever played, and I’m excited. I’ve been crushing online the last few months, confidence is high, and I feel like big things are coming. I’m planning for the biggest summer of my life.
What does that look like? I think I’m winning three bracelets – one no-limit, one PLO and one online. You have to believe in yourself – and I actually believe what I’m saying.
I’m going to give it my all. I’m going to be playing all day, every day, and I expect to make a run in every tournament I play. I’ll tell you what the WSOP grind is really like and what I think about some of the guys I’m battling with out here.
One thing I can guarantee is that if you follow these columns over the summer, you’ll get my raw and unadulterated thoughts and opinions through the summer grind.
People say I’m polarizing, but that comes with being outspoken. And I talk a lot of crap. But everyone who knows me knows it comes from love, and the people who don't have the best opinions about me usually haven’t really met me in real life.
I want to do it for all the dreamers and all the grinders out there. I want to do it for everyone who loves the game and has the passion, and show people what’s possible if you give your all and stay devoted.
And to everyone who passed on me in Fantasy – I’ll see you this summer.
Nick Palma's 2026 WSOP cashes
- Event #2: $5,000 8-Handed NLH – 80th: $9,947
Images courtesy of the WSOP.
