• Who’s In the Poker Hall of Fame — and why does it matter?
• Who are the Poker Hall of Fame inductees still raising eyebrows?
• And finally: Who are the biggest Poker Hall of Fame snubs?

The Poker Hall of Fame is supposed to represent the very best the game has produced — players who’ve stood the test of time, pioneers who helped build the game, and the personalities who carried poker from smoky backrooms to a worldwide stage. But like poker itself, the Poker Hall of Fame isn’t always as straightforward as it looks. Ask 10 poker players who deserves to be there and you might get 10 different answers. In fact, some of the most interesting discussions in poker begin the moment someone asks a simple question: “How did that guy get in before this guy?”

In this three-part miniseries, we’re going to take a closer look at the Poker Hall of Fame. We’ll start with who’s already in and why their place in poker history matters. Then we’ll explore some of the inductions that still raise a few eyebrows around the table. And finally, we’ll talk about the names many players believe belong in the Poker Hall of Fame but, for one reason or another, are still waiting outside the door.

Because if there’s one thing poker players love — almost as much as the game itself — it’s debating who really deserves to be remembered as one of the game’s legends.

Poker Hall of Fame: Who’s In and Why It Matters?

Visiting the Poker Hall of Fame at the Horseshoe Casino Poker Room in Las Vegas can feel a little like stepping into poker’s inner sanctum. It’s a place deeply connected to the game’s history and to the larger-than-life personalities who helped turn poker into the worldwide phenomenon it’s become. To the casual visitor, it may look like just another well-designed display along the Las Vegas Strip. In the background the chips are clicking, cards are in the air and players are staring each other down across tan felt. But to a true poker aficionado, there’s something more to be seen, more to be felt.

Along one wall near the entry is a display of gold-framed photographs of the men and women who make up the Poker Hall of Fame. These are the people — certainly some are legends — whose names echo through the history of the game. It’s poker’s attempt to define its own history — to decide who shaped the game, who elevated it, and who left a mark big enough that the game simply wouldn’t look the same without them.

The list reaches back to the earliest days of card playing from rule-maker Edmond Hoyle to folk hero Wild Bill Hickok. Then it moves on to the more modern era of poker and Las Vegas, when names like Johnny Moss and Nick Dandolos were helping turn the game from a backroom pastime into something much bigger. The timeline marches forward through the decades — past the road gamblers and cardroom legends, into the tournament pioneers, and eventually to the television-era stars who helped carry poker to a global audience… the ones we often hear mentioned today.

Looking at the display you begin to notice something interesting. Some names make you nod instantly. There’s no debate, no hesitation. Of course they belong there. Others make you pause for a moment. And then there are a few that cause seasoned poker players to quietly tilt their heads and think, “Well, wait a second.” Because whenever human beings are responsible for choosing who deserves immortality, the results are rarely perfect.

My First Poker Hall of Fame Experience

I remember the first time I stood in front of that wall at it’s old location at Binion’s Gambling Hall in downtown Las Vegas. It was 2015 and looking at those faces felt a little like staring at a living timeline of the game itself. Some of them represented legends I’d read about long before I ever moved to Las Vegas, or even played the game of poker. Others were players I had watched on television. A few were people whose names I’d heard discussed in poker rooms late at night — the kind of stories that get told between hands when the chips are stacked high and the coffee has gone cold. As I stood there looking at that wall, one thought kept coming back to me. Poker history isn’t just written in poker books. It’s written in stories, arguments, and sometimes even a little controversy.

Over the years, the Poker Hall of Fame has produced not only legends, but debates, surprises, and a handful of decisions that still spark conversations in poker rooms around the world. Which brings us to the question at the heart of this series: Who’s in… and why does it matter?

History of the Poker Hall of Fame

Before we talk about the players themselves — the legends, the eyebrow-raisers, and the snubs — it helps to understand how the Poker Hall of Fame works in the first place. The Poker Hall of Fame, established in 1979 by Horseshoe Casino founder Benny Binion, was originally created as a way to honor the most influential figures in poker while also giving fans and players another reason to visit the casino during the growing excitement surrounding the World Series of Poker.

At first, the Hall included only a small group of legendary figures — players whose reputations had already become part of poker folklore. Over time, the criteria evolved, but the spirit remained the same. To be inducted as a player, candidates are generally expected to have stood the test of time, played at the highest levels of the game, competed against top competition, and earned the respect of their peers. Non-players — those who helped grow the game in other meaningful ways — may also be considered. Each year, the process generates debate among fans, media members, and players themselves. And each year one, occasionally two new names are added to the list, meaning that wall at the Horseshoe poker room will continue to grow — one photograph (maybe two) at a time.

But the bigger question is this: Does the Hall always get it right? In this first article, we’ll look at the players whose place in poker history feels almost unquestionable — the legends whose names helped define the game. Because before we talk about controversies or snubs, it’s worth starting with the people who remind us exactly what greatness in poker looks like.

The Legends — The Names Everyone Agrees On

Every Hall of Fame, sports and otherwise, has its debates. But every Hall of Fame also has its no-brainers — the names so deeply connected to the game that their inclusion feels inevitable. Poker is no different. Long before television cameras arrived and long before online poker created a new generation of stars, there were players whose reputations spread the old-fashioned way — by word of mouth, whispered stories, and stacks of chips pushed across the felt in smoky cardrooms.

One of the earliest and most important names on that wall is Johnny Moss. Often referred to as the “Grand Old Man of Poker,” Moss represented an earlier era of the game — the road gambler who traveled from town to town looking for action. His reputation for toughness and stamina was legendary. When the first World Series of Poker was held in 1970, as a cash game event, Moss was voted the champion by his peers, a fitting tribute to a player who would go on to win the 1971 and 1974 WSOP Main Event.

Another towering figure in poker history is Doyle Brunson. To many players, Brunson was poker royalty. His long career spanned decades, bridging poker’s old underground gambling culture and its modern televised era. Brunson won ten World Series of Poker bracelets, two of them Main Event wins. He went on to author the groundbreaking strategy book Super/System, which pulled back the curtain on high-level poker thinking and changed how many players approached the game. For generations of players Brunson’s influence extended far beyond the table. His presence in the Hall of Fame feels less like an honor and more like a historical necessity.

Then there was the unforgettable Stu Ungar. Ungar’s talent was so extraordinary that even hardened professionals spoke about him with awe. A prodigy originally known for dominating the game of gin rummy, Ungar brought that same razor-sharp mind to Las Vegas poker and captured three World Series of Poker Main Event titles. Many who watched him play believed they were witnessing the greatest natural card player who ever lived. His life, tragically short and troubled, only deepened the legend that surrounds his name and his place today in poker’s Hall of Fame.

Another player whose place in the Hall of Fame is rarely if ever questioned is Johnny Chan. Chan’s back-to-back World Series of Poker Main Event victories in 1987 and 1988 cemented his place in poker history. His calm demeanor at the table and relentless competitive drive made him one of the most feared tournament players of his era. For many fans, Chan also became a cultural icon after his memorable appearance in the poker film Rounders, where a famous scene introduced a whole new generation to the mystique of high-stakes poker.

And then there are the players whose dominance helped define the modern era of the game. Few names command more respect today than Phil Ivey. Often described by fellow professionals as the most complete player in the world, Ivey built a reputation for extraordinary instincts, fearless decision-making, and success across nearly every form of poker. His performances in both tournaments and cash games has earned him admiration from amateurs and professionals alike. For many observers, Ivey represents the bridge between poker’s old-school legends and the new generation of elite players.

These are the kinds of names that anchor a Hall of Fame. The players whose accomplishments are so widely respected that their inclusion rarely sparks argument. But even here, something interesting begins to happen. Because the deeper you look into the history of the Poker Hall of Fame, the more you realize that not every decision has been so universally accepted. And that’s where things begin to get a little more interesting.

In the next part of this series, we’ll look at a few of the inductees who, fairly or unfairly, still manage to raise a few eyebrows whenever their names come up in poker conversation. It’s a reminder that even in a game built on skill, judgment, and reputation, the line between legend and controversy can sometimes be surprisingly thin.

World Poker Masters Becomes CoinPoker’s Biggest Tournament Series Ever

World Poker Masters concluded on June 1, 2026, after weeks of high-stakes action across Main Events, High Rollers, CoinMasters tournaments, leaderboard races, satellites, and trophy events.

Featuring $25,000,000 in guaranteed prize pools, the festival ultimately awarded more than $48,023,300 and became the largest tournament series in CoinPoker history.

Over 43 million hands were played, while 81,876 in-the-money finishes were recorded during the festival. Across 781 tournaments, players registered 578,251 entries.

Immediately after the series, CoinPoker thanked its community and announced that it would be increasing its weekly tournament guarantee by $2,000,000.

Hi everyone,

World Poker Masters has officially come to an end, and the level of support the community showed throughout the series was incredible to see.

From the beginning, World Poker Masters was built to be the biggest and most ambitious tournament series CoinPoker had ever… pic.twitter.com/AM22ERpT6k

— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) June 2, 2026

Now that the World Poker Masters is finished, 59 players will receive their trophies, as well as a digital version for their CoinPoker Trophy Cabinet. The winner of the Main Event will be awarded a unique trophy that stands out from the rest.

‘dsfgdsgdsgd’ Wins World Poker Masters Main Event

The $2,500,000 guaranteed World Poker Masters Main Event served as the flagship tournament, running across multiple Day 1 flights before the final on June 1.

Players battled through opening flights and satellite qualification paths, with over 5,000 entries from all Day 1 flights contributing to a final prize pool of $2,730,000.

dsfgdsgdsgd secured the World Poker Masters Main Event title, earning $300,270 and capturing one of the biggest victories of the series.

The runner-up was m3rryf3llow, winning $225,290, while Bucko94 finished third for $171,420.

A look at the winners of the Main Event from inside the CoinPoker app

The Main Event champion also received a one-of-a-kind World Poker Masters trophy commemorating the victory.

FlushPuppy Wins Mini Main Event

The $500,000 guaranteed Mini Main Event produced another major turnout during the final week of World Poker Masters.

The tournament drew 3,772 entries and awarded $846,790 in prize money.

• Player FlushPuppy claimed the title and $60,560 in prize money.
• Runner-up dragonslayer17 collected $63,540, slightly more than FlushPuppy, likely due to a deal made during the heads-up portion.
• Third-place finisher mexicali23337 earned $41,570.

A look at the winners of the Mini Main Event from inside the CoinPoker app

The Mini Main Event was one of the most accessible headline tournaments on the World Poker Masters schedule, with daily Day 1 flights running throughout the series.

Super High Roller and CoinMillion Produce Massive Scores

The $25,500 Super High Roller took place on May 25 and became one of the defining events of the entire series, producing a massive $1,800,000 prize pool from the 72 entries.

High-stakes regulars featured in the field, including Tony G, JamesWynn, LLinusLLove, DavyJones922, Barak Wisbrod (“iWasOnly17”), and Bobby James Poker (“BJPCoin”).

amr1diab secured the Super High Roller title and $544,320 for the victory, while runner-up Lukabrate earned $354,960 after reaching heads-up play. DKaladjurdjevic completed the podium in third place for $236,880.

Winning the Super High Roller event made amr1diab the biggest event winner from a single event.

The top six winners from single events during World Poker Masters

$215 CoinMillion Tournament

Earlier in the month, the $215 CoinMillion ran on May 10 with a $1,000,000 guaranteed prize pool and one of the largest fields of the series, with 4,278 entries.

Player DaniC1994 captured the CoinMillion title and collected $126,500 for their victory.

The runner-up was loveandpeace with a $78.7K second-place prize. WayguSausage finished in third place for $54.9K.

A look at the winners of the CoinMillion tournament from inside the CoinPoker app

A spokesperson for CoinPoker hinted that “CoinMillion will likely be returning soon,” possibly taking a quarterly spot in the tournament schedule.

World Poker Masters Satellites Generated Major Value

Satellite qualifiers continued producing major scores throughout World Poker Masters, with players converting low-cost entries into some of the biggest payouts of the series.

In total, players won 16,038 satellite tickets worth $2,984,875 across the festival.

Among the biggest satellite success stories were:

• DonLaM0cz, winning $63,525 in the $5,200 Monday High Roller
• junglebird, earning $62,067 in the $5,200 High Roller
• tako9999, securing $47,700 in the $250 2nd Chance

CoinPoker Ambassadors and Pros Post About World Poker Masters

CoinPoker ambassadors continued highlighting the scale and success of World Poker Masters throughout the series.

Following the Super High Roller, Bobby James Poker posted on X while tagging Guinness World Records, writing:

“History Made. First person to PLAY let alone Final Table a $25,000 poker tournament 35,000 feet in the air.”

History Made @GWR
First person to PLAY let alone Final Table a $25,000 poker tournament 35,000 feet in the air. @CoinPoker_OFF how does the Vegas trip start off like? LIKE THIS pic.twitter.com/2XqlB4PisI

— BobbyJamesPoker (@BobbyJamesPoker) May 25, 2026

High-stakes tournament coach Bencb celebrated the conclusion of the series, highlighting that World Poker Masters awarded more than $48,000,000.

Ben posted:

“Our First World Poker Master has been a huge success! Almost 2x the GTD. prizepool … $48,000,000 (guarantee was $25,000,000) … We just got started!”

Our First World Poker Master has been a huge success!

Almost 2x the gtd. pricepool … $48,000,000 (guarantee was $25,000,000)

And @CoinPoker_OFF is increasing weekly guarantees by $2,000,000

We just got started! 🚀🚀🚀🚀 https://t.co/VXc8WyFweP

— bencb (@bencb789) June 2, 2026

Fellow CoinPoker ambassador Patrick Leonard also praised the World Poker Masters schedule during the final days of the festival, writing on X:

“Most sites have stopped running big guarantees now WSOP has started, but we keep going for another Sunday. So proud of our offering now. Great schedule for all buy-ins.”

GL GRINDERS! Most sites have stopped running big guarantees now WSOP has started, but we keep going for another Sunday. So proud of our offering now. Great schedule for all buyins 👨‍🍳👨‍🍳 pic.twitter.com/Tvz2DenJDW

— Patrick Leonard 🫡 (@padspoker) May 31, 2026

About CoinPoker

CoinPoker is an online poker platform that supports both cryptocurrency and traditional payment methods, including bank cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Luxon Pay. The site offers cash games, including NLHE, PLO, Short Deck formats and more, major tournament series, and ongoing player promotions across a wide range of stakes.

Its schedule features major series such as the Coin Series of Poker, CoinMasters, and World Poker Masters, alongside daily rewards systems and unique tournament giveaways, such as the Road to Triton promotion. Focused on player value, accessibility, and transparency, CoinPoker continues to grow its international poker community. The site is also available as an iOS poker app.

Other Promotions

• CoinRewards: A $1.5M+ weekly rewards system featuring CoinRaces, Splash Pots, cashback, and guaranteed daily promotions.
• Road to Triton: CoinPoker is teaming up with the Triton Poker Series and sending a player to the Jeju series this year with a $25,000 Super High Roller ticket, all flight expenses, and a stay in a 5-star hotel during the series.
• 150% Welcome Bonus: New players can unlock up to $2,000 in bonus funds through tournaments and cash game play.

There was a lot happening at the Bellagio. The Pokercoaching.com Meet-Up Game kicked off at noon, and there were four tables going right from the start. Players poured into the room for an opportunity to play some low-stakes poker against Jonathan Little and Justin Saliba, two highly regarded and successful pros who spend most of their time playing $10,000+ tournaments, so this was a truly unique occasion.

Little and Saliba also gave away an $800 seat to the ARIA Poker Classic HORSE event, scheduled for June 16, among some other cool prizes. As if having two poker crushers in the room wasn’t enough, there were another couple big-name appearances to get the players excited, too.

There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dig into it and try to bring you at least some of the atmosphere from Day 5 of Mixed Game Festival XIV.

Pokercoaching.com MUG: Little and Saliba in the House

The main event to wrap up the first half of the festival was the Meet-Up game co-hosted by the Pokercoaching.com crew, long-time friends and sponsors of the MGF.

Jonathan Little, the founder of the popular poker training site, and Justin Saliba, one of the main coaches (who incidentally got his start in mixed games at the festival), joined the mixed game crowd to play some $4/$8 dealer’s choice. Many players wanted to try their luck against the two, which led to four full tables going strong right from the start.

The atmosphere in the room was electric, and the excitement only grew bigger as the time for the tournament seat giveaway came around. Once more, players on all four tables played a PLO flip, with winners progressing to the second round.

The four finalists played another PLO flip, and it was Ben Ward who found the favor of the poker gods to come out on top and win himself a seat to the $800 ARIA Poker Classic HORSE event on June 16.

Congratulations to Ben Ward, who won himself an $800 seat into the @ARIAPoker Classic HORSE 🐎 event on June 16, courtesy of @PokerCoaching_ here at Mixed Game Festival XIV.

Lesson: win your blind PLO flips, and good things will happen! 😂 pic.twitter.com/hPbgOTWv1Z

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 4, 2026

The remaining three players who progressed to the final round each got a nice prize as well. Stephen Brogan, Tony Messing, and Garrett Browning won lifetime access to Alex Livingston’s Master Mixed Games course, which should certainly help them progress with their mixed game prowess.

READ MORE: Check out our Master Mixed Games course review

Of course, there was also a lot of merch up for grabs, and Jonathan Little was signing copies of his books, so players got quite an experience and, once again, heaps of value just for being part of the action. You just don’t get anything like it with other poker festivals.

We’ve got @JonathanLittle here for the @PokerCoaching_ meet up game at Mixed Game Festival XIV at @BellagioPoker.

He’s also signing copies of all his @DBPoker1 books, to the delight of the assembled masses 🤩📚✍️ pic.twitter.com/aUdE3iAksy

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) June 4, 2026

Poker Media Stars Come Out in Force

Day 5 saw a few more very familiar faces in the crowd. Longtime festival supporter Norman Chad popped in for a couple hours. While Norm is an MGF regular, this time around he was joined by his on-screen partner Lon McEachern, who was happily making his first festival appearance. The only way it could have gotten better is if we had a booth set up for them to do live commentary of the action.

So thankful to poker’s legendary broadcasters @lonmceachern and @NormanChad for taking time out of their schedule to visit Mixed Game Festival XIV at @BellagioPoker. ♥️

Exceptionally grateful to have them supporting the growth of our game. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/2FZuKJATG6

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 5, 2026

And let’s not forget about WSOP bracelet winner Chad Holloway of PokerNews, who decided to spend his lunch break playing mixed games. Plus PokerGO’s Tim Duckworth made his second festival appearance this summer, while veteran poker media stalwart Jesse Fullen turned up to splash around, too.

Had a long lunch break so made my way across the street to @BellagioPoker for @PokerLifeMedia’s Mixed Game Festival XIV!

Got destroyed in Super Stud but recouped some in a big A-5 Badacey. Lots of fun games.

We also filmed with @ThePokerBoss the other day for Saturday’s episode… pic.twitter.com/gy3VFr1NuI

— Chad Holloway (@ChadAHolloway) June 4, 2026

Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day: Daryl Kermmoade

Keeping in line with the festive theme, our Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day is one Daryl Kermmoade. Originally from Kentucky and now living in Lincoln, Nebraska, Daryl came out to Las Vegas for his birthday trip to celebrate turning 63.

Like many who come out to Sin City during the summer, he is focusing on playing some WSOP events. However, he also likes playing at Bellagio during the downtime. When he got here, he noticed the Mixed Game Festival was happening, and it piqued his interest.

He already has some experience playing HORSE, and this seemed like a great opportunity to expand his horizons and try some completely new variations. Having played for a fair few hours, sitting next to festival host and Cardplayer Lifestyle founder Robbie Strazynski, Daryl shared that he was pleasantly surprised at how much fun everyone was having and just how eager other players were to help and make him feel welcome.

He first got into poker around 2003, and Council Bluffs, Iowa is his primary poker stomping grounds. However, he doesn’t get to play much mixed games there, as the choice is mostly down to No Limit Hold’em and Pot Limit Omaha.

As for his poker dreams, Daryl says he’d like to eventually make a final table and win a tournament, as he’s experienced a fair share of bubbles over the years. Hopefully, a free month of Pokercoaching.com will help bring him closer to that goal.

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day: Larry Williams

Larry Williams, originally from Indiana, has been with the Bellagio for two decades. His adventure started back in 2005 when he decided to change things up, leaving his automobile repair business and packing up with the goal to travel the country for a while.

The path led him to Las Vegas, and he discovered that dealing cards was something he enjoyed. Being a people person, he tells us he enjoys the opportunity to mingle with the players.

When asked why he prefers “the other side of the table”, dealing and not playing, Larry was honest and admited that he “sucks at poker,” so a professional career as a player just wasn’t in the cards.

Like many other dealers we’ve talked to, Larry admits that there is a certain different vibe around the Mixed Game Festival crowd, where it’s obvious that people are here primarily to have fun, so there is no tension, and nobody’s playing with their life savings on the table.

He stuck with the Bellagio because he believes it is a great place to work, allowing for a lot of freedom, and, among other things, having a great cafeteria! As far as his professional goals, he says he’s pretty much seen it all and done it all, including pushing a million-dollar pot. “Chips are chips at the end of the day,” Larry tells us.

For fresh dealers who find themselves in the midst of the mixed game mayhem, his advice is to ask for help from the players. “Admit that you don’t know what you’re doing,” he says, “and just ask players to help you untangle the web.”

When not dealing cards, he likes to spend time playing some video poker, taking shorter hikes with his wife, and taking longer trips around the country when the opportunities present themselves.

Take Five, Everyone!

With Day 5 wrapping up in style, with three tables going strong late into the night, it’s time for the Mixed Game Festival to take a short break. But don’t worry, we’ll be back before you know it!

The action will pause over the next couple of days and resume in earnest on Sunday, June 7. Things will kick off at noon once more, and we’ll be giving away the second $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship ticket.

As always, you can secure your seat on the waiting list by calling the Bellagio Poker Room (702) 693-7291 ahead of the start, or simply make sure you’re there before the cards are in the air, and there will definitely be a chair for you to pull up.

By contrast, Day 4 was much calmer, as we shifted into a bit of a lower gear with two tables of $4/$8 mix kicking off to start the festivities. For the first time since the festival started, there wasn’t a $6/$12 game going. But the ebb and flow of the festival is pretty typical, and it’s impossible for things to always be pedal to the metal for two straight weeks. What’s certain though is that there’s quite a lot lined up for Day 5, so the energy in the room is guaranteed to pick up once more.

Plus, the action will be moving from the overflow tables in the sportsbook directly into the Bellagio poker room. The lighting will be better, we’ll have automatic card shufflers at every table, and foot traffic will be higher. But more on that in a moment. Let’s get back to Day 4 highlights for now.

Rick Gleason Book Signing

While the Mixed Game Festival can’t quite give out thousands of dollars worth of tournament seats every day, there is always a little something extra happening alongside the table action. Wednesday saw Rick Gleason, a poker author and fellow Cardplayer Lifestyle contributor, join the crowd and do some book signings.

Gleason is the author of 101+ Poker Tips That Actually Work, an interesting book that, although it’s not specific to mixed games, brings some very useful general advice for poker players.

We’ve got Rick Gleason here at Mixed Game Festival XIV signing his new book.

It’s not mixed game specific, but there are some great general poker tips in there. Over 101 of ’em 😁

Review here on @PokerLifeMedia, by @santijota8 👇
https://t.co/eyq0gzfxjd pic.twitter.com/OwZSBMBTOb

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 3, 2026

The book is aimed primarily at recreational, low-stakes players, who play for the love of the game, so it’s a perfect match for the Mixed Game Festival crowd.

As always, a few players won free signed copies by accomplishing certain feats at the tables, like Mike Tyson (yes, we know that there are other Mike Tysons out there), who managed to scoop an Archie pot.

For those not as involved in the mixed game world, Archie is a triple draw split game, where the pot is split between the best high and the best low hand (using standard rankings), but there is also the minimum qualifying requirement for the high hand (usually a pair of nines or better) and for the low hand (an 8 or lower). If nobody qualifies, the pot gets split among every player remaining at showdown.

Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day: Brian Dowd

Often, in our Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day section, we highlight some of the newcomers who stumbled upon the festival by chance or were invited by a friend. Today, however, we have the complete opposite of that.

Hailing from St. Augustine, Florida, Brian Dowd has been a regular at Mixed Game Festivals, and this is his sixth time attending. His first time was a few years back, at Resorts World, and, like many other regulars, he just fell in love with the atmosphere.

Brian describes himself as a very competitive person, and that’s one aspect he enjoys the most about the game. At the same time, he prefers mixed games over Texas Hold’em and PLO, because mixed games lend themselves to much more fun, interaction, and camaraderie at the tables.

Living in Florida, when he’s not busy with his day job in wood manufacturing, Brian enjoys shooting some pool or spending time on the beach and soaking in the sun. Way before, he also used to be a chef, and he found quite a bit of success with that career before moving on to other things.

As for poker, Brian believes playing the skills the game hones can be of great use in day-to-day life, helping one see the big picture, realize all the different angles, put things in perspective, and decide which way to go – just like you do in a poker hand.

Although he says he likes to think of himself as a decent player, Brian doesn’t have any major poker goals. He just enjoys the competition, spending time with friends, and having a good time at the tables.

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day: Lemlem Woldu

There are some people we’ve had a chance to talk to at the Mixed Game Festival who have been with the Bellagio for a long time, but none of them have been with the company longer than Lemlem Woldu, today’s pick for the Dealer of the Day.

Lemlem came to Las Vegas from Ethiopia in 1997. She got married here and got a job with the Bellagio the following year, as a bus runner, right as the legendary casino opened its doors. She has been here quite literally from the very first day.

After a while, an opportunity arose for employees who wanted to become poker dealers to get the necessary training, and Lemlem jumped on that opportunity. She learned how to deal the cards and never looked back.

There is an important reason she’s stayed with the Bellagio for nearly three decades. She loves the team she works with, the way the management handles things, and all the players who frequent the venue.

Of course, dealing at the Mixed Game Festival is a bit of a different experience, which she describes as both enjoyable and challenging. What she enjoys is that players are relaxed, having fun, and there is a friendly vibe. The challenge, on the other hand, is dealing all the different games, some of which she’s never dealt before – but it’s also fun for her.

When asked about her bucket list item as a poker dealer, she tells us she pretty much achieved all she set out to do. Her work allowed her to raise her two sons and send them to private schools. In her own heartfelt words, “It was this community that made it all possible, and I’m so very grateful for it.”

Day 5 Preview: Pokercoaching Meet-Up Game Time!

Looking ahead to what comes next, Day 5 promises to be a stellar one by all accounts.

Starting at noon, we’ll have a Pokercoaching Meet-Up Game, featuring top veteran pros Jonathan Little and Justin Saliba. The duo will join the action at the tables, so you’ll have a chance to win some chips off of them as well as also ask them some poker strategy questions while splashing around together at the felt.

We’re hosting a @PokerCoaching_ Meet-Up Game tomorrow at 12pm at Bellagio for the Mixed Game Festival!

I’m looking forward to splashing around in all sorts of odd games and we’re giving away an $800 Aria Tournament Seat. See you there!😊💥@cardplayerlife @PokerLifeMedia pic.twitter.com/zq91I47JmQ

— Jonathan Little (@JonathanLittle) June 4, 2026

But wait; there’s more! 🙂 One lucky randomly selected player will also receive a free entry into the $800 Aria Classic H.O.R.S.E event. You just need to be there to have a shot.

Also, a couple of players will receive lifetime passes to Alex Livingston’s Master Mixed Games course, which rates to be one of the best resources for mixed game players, whether you’re just starting or are an experienced player looking to enhance your strategy and find an extra edge.

The good folks at Pokercoaching.com have been longtime friends of ours here at Cardplayer Lifestyle and stalwart supporters of the Mixed Game Festival, regularly giving free 1-month subscriptions to all of our Players of the Day as well as a bunch of other free stuff, so it’ll be a pleasure to co-host the MUG with them.

We’re expecting a full house, so if you have plans to be here, we suggest you call the Bellagio poker room (702) 693-7291 and put your name on the list. That way, you’ll lock in your seat and will be able to get in the action right from the get-go. As mentioned, the action is moving to the main poker room tomorrow, so that’s where you’ll find us!

For the third straight day, mixed game players filled four tables playing low stakes dealer’s choice poker for hours. The room was packed, as expected, and it wasn’t just the case that the day lived up to the expectations. Rather, it well exceeded them, as some lucky players were treated to four additional $300 seats to mixed game tournaments being held at the MGM Grand Summer Series a few blocks away on the Las Vegas Strip. This came as a total (and very pleasant) surprise, bringing with it smiles and exultation from the lucky foursome who secured their seats.

The Grand Prize, of course, went to Martin Mata, and he’ll be getting a free shot at the $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship title and a slice of the massive $4,000,000 guaranteed prize pool. He’ll be joined by at least two more lucky seat winners from the MGF XIV giveaway and hundreds of other players early in July at ARIA Las Vegas.

Let the PLO Gods Decide

Make no mistake, poker players will never say no to free stuff, but the manner in which you give that free stuff away matters as well. At the Mixed Game Festival, the focus is always on the fun, so the first tournament seat was awarded using a tried and tested system of PLO flips.

Looks like we have 32 players with over $100 in equity, each of whom is very excited to potentially win a $3500 seat into the 2026 @BetMGMPoker Championship.

The giveaway will happen within the next 90 minutes here at Mixed Game Festival XIV at @BellagioPoker. 🎉 pic.twitter.com/rPi3Hs59Uw

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 2, 2026

Sean McCormack, the Executive Director of Poker Strategy and Development for MGM Resorts, was on hand for the proceedings, and was also the one to deliver the pleasantly surprising news about the additional $300 tickets.

There were four tables going at the time, and each table ran out a blind Pot Limit Omaha flip. Then, hand winners proceeded to the second round to play for yet another PLO flip, with the winner of that flip winning the $3,500 ticket.

As you’d expect, it was a bit of mayhem (in the best possible way!), and our friends from PokerNews were kind enough to pay a visit to Bellagio and capture it in the video below.

(Video courtesy of PokerNews / Adam Peiken)

When the dust settled, it was Martin Mata from Denver, Colorado, emerging victorious and claiming the main prize. The other four hand winners to receive $300 seats were Nadi Medlege, Christina Black, Matt Bryant, and Scott Leader.

And if you’re wondering how there were four second-place finishers from just four tables, it’s because we had a chop in one of the round one hands, so five players actually progressed to the final round.

The extra prizes came as a courtesy from “the Poker Boss” Sean McCormack, and we can neither confirm nor deny whether there will be extra prizes awarded for upcoming draws. You’ll just have to be there for it and see for yourself if you might be one of the luck ones!

With the main highlight of the day out of the way, most players went back to their tables, and although we lost one table down the line, the action continued across three tables well past midnight.

Pokercoaching.com Player of the Day: Ben Kabatznik

It’s not only the tournament seat winners who got some free stuff yesterday. Not a day goes by at the Mixed Game Festival XIV without a bunch of prizes being distributed, and that includes one monthly PokerCoaching.com subscription given out every single day to the Player of the Day.

This time around, that honor goes to Ben Kabatznik from San Francisco, California. Ben is in the software-selling business, and he is in Las Vegas for a conference. His original plan was to play some $1/$3 No Limit Hold’em during his downtime, but when he discovered that a Mixed Game Festival was running, he changed his mind.

Ben’s experience with mixed games isn’t super extensive, but he enjoys Omaha Hi-Lo. As for the festival, he appreciates the opportunity to try his hand at some of the lesser-known variants, like Oma-Jack, which you’ll never come across in major tournaments or more formal events.

With a full-time job, he doesn’t have too much time to play poker, so when he gets an opportunity, he prefers to gamble and have fun. Mixed games offer that a lot more than Hold’em, which he says requires much more patience and a very analytical approach. Unfortunately, Ben doesn’t get a chance to play low stakes mix in Cali, so the festival came just at the right time for him.

His poker dream is to play in the WSOP Main Event. He says that at this point in his life, he can afford it financially, but now it’s more about organizing everything and finding the right time to do it and turning it into a fun trip for him and his wife.

While Ben doesn’t have much time to study poker, he greatly enjoys Jonathan Little’s free content on YouTube, so he’ll probably put his one-month subscription to PokerCoaching.com to good use.

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day: Michael Godfrey

In the spotlight for this edition of the Dealer of the Day is Michael Godfrey. Originally from California, Michael has been living in Vegas for 21 years, and his role at the Bellagio is actually that of a shift manager.

Having spent over two decades in the casino business, he’s held many roles in places like Golden Nugget and South Point, and he’s been a member of the Bellagio team since August 2025.

He says that one of the main things he’s been focusing on since coming on board is to show people that playing poker at the Bellagio can be fun and light, even given the room’s elite reputation. In other words, while he’s got to suit up for work, he LOVES his new free Mixed Game Festival T-Shirt from RunGoodGear. 🙂

His experience notwithstanding, Michael tells us that he was nervous taking on his new role, explaining that working at Bellagio is just different. You can feel the energy of the place that he describes as “the mecca of all poker activities on the Strip.”

Back in the day, Michael arrived in Las Vegas during the Moneymaker boom, with the goal of becoming a professional poker player. A few years in, and having met his wife, he decided to opt for a more stable lifestyle, which is when he became a part of the industry, and he never looked back.

On a personal level, he enjoys the opportunity to learn from the likes of Bellagio Poker Room Director Craig Larson as well as Sean McCormack.

It’s a Wrap on Another Exciting Day

While Day 3 of Mixed Game Festival XIV has concluded, luckily there are seven more days left, so if you’ve missed out so far, there is plenty more to come. The action will kick off at 12pm sharp once more, and you can reserve your seat by calling the poker room at (702) 693-7291 – or just show up on time, and you’ll be guaranteed a seat.

Attention mixed game players:

Do you like the design of our @RunGoodGear shirts?

Come and get ’em at @BellagioPoker during our Mixed Game Festival 😁 pic.twitter.com/6BYEmMVqeL

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) June 3, 2026

A reminder that there are some giveaways happening every day, with merch and poker books up for grabs. The next $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship seat will be up for grabs on Sunday, so plan accordingly!

Players’ reputations are shaped by these indicators, which also affect how soon they receive praise or criticism.

However, statistics by themselves don’t provide a complete picture.

Every statistic represents a player who must cope with pressure, adjust to frequent updates, and maintain consistency in fiercely competitive settings. They also control their own, their teams’, and viewers’ expectations. Knowing this human aspect gives many fans a crucial perspective.

More Than Just Numbers on the Leaderboard

Game statistics can be used to condense performance into digestible numbers. They show trends and improvements, allowing players to evaluate their performance against others. But these figures don’t always present the context needed to fully understand why performance fluctuates.

Rankings and win rates are not necessarily declining. It could be the player changing roles, playing with new updates, or competing against stronger opponents after matchmaking changes. During long gaming sessions, players may become tired and lose time reacting and making decisions. These factors are rarely visible in raw data but significantly impact outcomes.

As a result, only statistics can provide quick answers that do not account for the complexity of competition. The numbers provide the result but do not explain the journey behind the result.

The Mental Pressure Behind Every Decision

Players must make quick decisions under pressure in competitive gaming, frequently with little room for error. This experience is somewhat similar to that of an online casino, where every choice has immediate repercussions and results are promptly disclosed.

Focus, risk assessment, and the capacity to maintain composure in the face of ambiguity are required in both circumstances.

Visibility is the primary distinction. Competitive players perform in front of sizable crowds, while decisions in an online casino are usually made in private.

Even casual gameplay can be broadcast to large communities, tournaments draw thousands of viewers, and matches are aired live. This degree of exposure allows for the recording, sharing, and repeated analysis of every error in addition to its immediate experience.

Consequently, players must develop strong mental resilience. They need to maintain focus even when under criticism, recover quickly after mistakes, and manage the expectations placed on them by fans, teams, and sponsors.

The ability to stay composed during high-pressure moments often separates consistent players from those who struggle to maintain performance over time. Mental strength becomes just as important as mechanical skill in achieving long-term success.

The Grind Before Recognition

Before a player can reach the top or break into the spotlight, he needs to spend time practicing and improving. It takes several months before they can expect to make a game in a competitive setting.

During this time, the gamer might have to balance playing with school or work. Social activities may be limited, and the future may be uncertain. But many continue to invest time and effort to improve and possibly compete at a higher level.

The early stages of a player’s development are vital in shaping their mindset: discipline, consistency, and resilience will be required to perform at higher levels. When players show up on leaderboards, they represent not only their current ability but years of preparation and effort.

Setbacks That Shape Performance

Performance in competitive games is rarely consistent. Players often face:

• losing streaks
• ranking drops
• difficulty adapting to new updates
• burnout from continuous play

These challenges can directly affect stats, but they also contribute to growth.

Players who respond well to setbacks often:

• adjust their strategies
• improve decision-making
• refine mechanics
• Rebuild confidence over time

What may look like poor performance in stats can actually be part of long-term development.

Life Beyond the Game

Performance can depend not just on the skills a player performs within the game but also on factors outside the game, like rest, mental health, and even family. Performance can suffer when these are neglected. Organizations have begun to encourage and provide routines, mental health resources, and training programs for their players, recognizing that regularity and well-being are crucial to sustained performance.

Why Stats Don’t Tell the Full Story

In professional gaming, statistics are still a useful tool. They monitor development, offer standards, and enable insightful player comparisons. They do not, however, fully account for all of the variables that affect performance.

There are factors that go beyond numerical statistics, such as the pressure to make important judgments, personal struggles, ongoing adaptability to changing gaming conditions, and the work needed to get better. Every statistic shows a result, but it doesn’t tell the whole tale of how that result was attained.

Viewers can gain a deeper understanding of competitive players by looking behind the metrics. This method acknowledges not just the outcomes but also the effort, perseverance, and process that lead to those outcomes.

An early start meant that by the time pizzas were delivered, everyone in the room was ready for a short break and a quick snack, so that worked out pretty well. As any poker player will tell you, there is nothing like a nice slice of pizza to help bring your energy levels up, even if you aren’t having particularly good times at the table.

Not that there are such issues at Mixed Game Festival XIV, as having a good time is what these events are all about. You won’t see {m}any grumpy faces in the room as the atmosphere is such that it will quickly bring your spirits up, even if cards haven’t been falling your way.

Day 2 of Mixed Game Festival XIV at @BellagioPoker kicking off with two $4/8 and one $6/12 dealer’s choice mixes.

And the FREE pizza hasn’t even gotten here yet 😜

Come join us for all the fun! pic.twitter.com/jwmYve5Yr9

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 1, 2026

About five hours into the day, even more players arrived, so another $4/$8 table formed, bringing the total number up to four, which is just more than you could possibly ask for on a Monday afternoon/evening.

Never a Dull Moment

Day 2 of Mixed Game Festival XIV didn’t feature any big-name poker celeb appearances, but that did not stop players from having a great time. Poker stars popping up for a while is always great, of course, but it’s not essential for this particular crowd. The games and the camaraderie are more than enough!

As is always the case, the room featured a mix of mixed game veterans, players who dabble with non-Hold’em games here and there, and a fair few of those who have come across the Festival and decided this would be a great opportunity to try their hand at mixed games for the very first time.

And, once more, there are people from all over the world, including a couple of players who flew in all the way from Japan to join the fun.

Shinsuke, @ya_soshi_, and Itsko having a blast here at Mixed Game Festival XIV at @BellagioPoker!

They flew in to play all the way from Tokyo, Japan 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/yjkXZqw83O

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 2, 2026

As for the action on the tables, it was the usual mayhem. With stakes set low, players can afford to just have fun with it, and you can rest assured they do. I’ve been covering the Mixed Game Festival for a hot minute now, and I’m still surprised and confused to see some of the variations being spread on the tables.

At some point, you have to stop and ask, “come on, guys, are you just making up games as you go?” And, surprisingly (or not), quite often the answer to that question is – yes!

PokerCoaching.com Player of the Day: Tim Linderman

In the hot seat today as the PokerCoaching.com Player of the Day is Tim Linderman, a player hailing from California. Tim started playing poker during the Moneymaker boom and, like most, fell in love with Texas Hold’em.

After a while, though, two hole cards became insufficient, so he transitioned to PLO, and that’s what he’s been playing almost exclusively for the past decade, outside of an occasional home game with friends.

Beyond these two variations, though, Tim has very little experience, and when he came upon the Mixed Game Festival at the Bellagio, he figured it would be a great opportunity to expand his horizons – something his friend who loves playing mixed games has been trying to get him to do for a while.

Although Tim played in some mixed game tournaments, featuring variations like HORSE and Triple Draw, he’s not familiar with some of the games present in Dealer’s Choice and 8-Game Mix, and certainly not with many of the ones found at the Mixed Game Festival.

One such variation that caught Tim off guard is Action Razz, a game played like a traditional Razz for the most part, but for your hand to qualify, you also need to have a face card. So, it’s not enough to just have a good low hand – you also need to have a face card to go with it, or your hand doesn’t count.

The reason that particular variation caught Tim’s attention is that Robbie tried an unsuccessful bluff against another player at the table, where he was showing a good Razz hand, but, as it turned out, he did not have that face card in a hole.

Overall, though, Tim feels that this is the perfect opportunity to dip your toes into the mixed game waters, try some fun new variants without getting hurt financially, and get some preparation for some tournaments.

Of course, as the Player of the Day, Tim will also receive a one month free premium membership to PokerCoaching.com, so, in addition to the hands-on experience he’s getting at Bellagio, he’ll have the opportunity to learn from some of the best poker players around.

All this should help him with reaching his poker dream, which is to win a WSOP bracelet, as he sees it as the ultimate poker achievement.

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day: Emma Stevenson

Three years ago, Emma Stevenson moved from Boston, Massachusetts, to Las Vegas, leaving her job as an accountant to pursue her poker dreams.

Although she is our RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day, Emma is also a poker player. She enjoys dealing cards when not playing herself because it gives her opportunities to see more hands, learn new strategies, and understand just how diverse the game can be.

Two things she likes the most about her job are the opportunities to meet new people and, of course, making money. She loves working at Bellagio as she finds that the property takes good care of its dealers and players alike and feels that they maintain a higher standard than most other places on the Strip.

Emma was attracted to the Vegas nightlife and the overall lifestyle, and these things inspired her to take the leap. Her advice to others who might be thinking about doing the same is to take the risk. “You can always go back to your old life if things don’t work out.”

This is her first time dealing at the Mixed Game Festival, and, like most other dealers we’ve talked to over the years, her conclusion is that the crowd coming in enjoys the game more and has much more fun than most players.

As for her personal goals and aspirations, Emma is very honest. She wants to make a lot of money playing poker, and she wouldn’t mind marrying a rich poker player, she tells us half-jokingly.

First $3,500 BetMGM Poker Championship Seat Giveaway

If you’ve missed out on the first couple of days of the Mixed Game Festival XIV and still need convincing to head over to Bellagio, how does an opportunity to get a free $3,500 tournament ticket sound?

That’s right, everyone showing up for the action tomorrow will have a shot at winning the first (of three) tickets to the 2026 BetMGM Poker Championship. The winner will be determined by a blind PLO flip.

Each active table will play one blind hand of PLO. No betting is involved. Everyone’s dealt four cards, the board runs out, and the best hand wins. All winners proceed to the final, where they’ll play another PLO flip, and whoever wins that one gets the ticket.

It’s a lot of extra value up for grabs, so it could be a packed room. To secure your seat ahead of time, call (702) 693-7291 and put your name on the list. The action kicks off at noon, sharp!

It was a sad decision, both for the MGF founder Robbie Strazynski and all the mixed game fans in Vegas and beyond, but in retrospect it turned out to just be a bump along the road. A few months later, the festival is BACK, and if Day 1 of MGF XIV is anything to go by, it’s going to be a great one!

Mixed Game Festival XIV kicked off to much fanfare on May 31, and if numbers are anything to go by, they’ll be even stronger for Day 2 when some delicious free pizza lunch is thrown into the mix for the players.

Strong Action, Merch Giveaways, and Surprise Appearances

Day 1 of MGF XIV started at noon at Bellagio, and it wasn’t long before there were four full tables going. In addition to three $4/$8 tables, this was the first time in Mixed Game Festival history that a $6/$12 game was spread. The festival is nothing if not flexible when it comes to these requests, aiming to cater to all players.

As long as there is enough interest, “You can just… do things,” as Robbie puts it ever so eloquently.

Every time the festival rolls in, it brings with it a bunch of free stuff, courtesy of the sponsors, some of which have been strong supporters of the event for years now.

Chuck Martin got his hands on Jonathan Little’s Complete Poker Workout as a special reward for showing down a “Zero” in Drawmaha Zero. And if the second part of this sentence confuses you, it’s hard to explain. You just need to come over to Bellagio and see it for yourself.

Congratulations to @chuckspoker, who just won a free copy of @JonathanLittle‘s The Complete Poker Workout (published by @DBPoker1) for tabling a “Zero” in Drawmaha Zero. 👏 pic.twitter.com/Bje39cFovm

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) May 31, 2026

Another lucky player got himself a nice setup of playing cards from Faded Spade, which will surely come in handy for any future home games, which the mixed game community is known for.

Congratulations to Brad from South Dakota!

He just won himself a setup of @FadedSpadeBrand playing cards for scooping Double Board Omaha “Best Best” pot.

Some great added value to be had here at @BellagioPoker during Mixed Game Festival XIV 😊 pic.twitter.com/Y4y9FNMPv6

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) June 1, 2026

One of the great things about the Mixed Game Festival is that, although it caters primarily to recreational players rather than hardcore grinders, it never fails to attract some big names, be it Hold’em specialists looking to expand their horizons or mixed game beasts who simply love the game and don’t mind spending a few hours playing at the stakes that could be 100 times lower than what they usually play.

David Bach is certainly in the latter category. The 2009 $50k WSOP Poker Players Championship winner and a man with close to $5,000,000 in live tournament earnings decided to pay his first visit to the festival and splash around playing some $4/$8 mix. You just love to see it!

Surprise guest at @BellagioPoker, welcome to Mixed Game Festival XIV past $50K WSOP Poker Players Champion @gunslingerbach!

Man of the people, splashing around with us in the $4/8 streets. 👏😊 pic.twitter.com/wXm2zBIayL

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 1, 2026

The First Lady of Poker, Linda Johnson, was there to support the festival, as she’s been known to do, alongside Jan Fisher. These two have been some of the greatest ambassadors for mixed games, and we’re fortunate to call them festival regulars.

Poker Hall of Famer sighting 👀

Welcome to Mixed Game Festival XIV, @FirstLadyPoker and @WIPHOF-er @Jan_Fisher

Two of our game’s finest, legendary ambassadors ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gs8UxRmsRz

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) May 31, 2026

To round up the day’s poker glitterati appearances, Tim Duckworth, Director of Live Events and Content at PokerGO, pulled up a chair. You just never know who you’ll run into at the MGF; we’ll see who else comes out of the woodwork over the next two weeks.

The world’s most famous aspiring recreational player @Tim__Duckworth has decided to make an appearance here on Day 1 of Mixed Game Festival XIV.

We welcome ALL types of poker players here at @BellagioPoker 😊 pic.twitter.com/QfxOUMa6gM

— Robbie Strazynski (@cardplayerlife) June 1, 2026

PokerCoaching.com Player of the Day: Christian Feng

We continue the tradition of putting the spotlight on one player every day of the festival, giving them a chance to share their thoughts, and also allowing everyone to see just how versatile the mixed game community truly is.

The honor of being the very first PokerCoaching.com Player of the Day for MGF XIV goes to Christian Feng from San Francisco, California.

Unlike many who have been coming out for the festival for a while, this is Christian’s first time, and he doesn’t even play mixed games. He’s in town for the World Series of Poker, but having heard about the Mixed Game Festival, he figured it was a great opportunity to learn about new games in a low-pressure environment and without risking too much money.

He is a recreational player with a 9-5 job working in HR for the State Government of California who plays small stakes Hold’em back at home and comes out to Vegas once a year to try his luck in some tournaments. Lately, though, with mixed games getting more exposure, he became interested in expanding his horizons, and when he saw the news about the festival on X, he decided to give it a try.

For Feng, one of the best things about poker (other than a chance to make money and achieve tournament glory) is the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and different parts of the world. He says that, so far, he’s probably met people from every single US state and over 100 countries worldwide, all that just playing low stakes No Limit Texas Hold’em.

After playing mixed games for about eight hours and coming into it with pretty much zero experience, he says the whole experience exceeded his expectations. He found other players to be very friendly and encouraging, willing to help and offer guidance at the tables, which is something you just won’t find anywhere else.

The way he sees it, this is the best way to dip your toes into the world of mixed games, and he was actually surprised at how cheap it is to play, even if you’re a complete beginner.

And that right there is truly what the festival is all about!

RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day: Jeremy Fornachon

There are two main facets of every poker event. Players are there to create the action, but nothing happens without the dealers who work tirelessly to deal the cards, push the pots the right way, and make sure every chip ends up exactly where it belongs.

It takes a special kind of skill and focus to be able to switch between all the different game formats, some of which you’ll hardly see anywhere outside of the Mixed Game Festival, and keep everything running smooth. That’s why the dealers also deserve their place in the spotlight, and why we proudly bring to you the RunGoodGear Dealer of the Day section of each daily festival recap.

Jeremy Fornachon has been dealing at Bellagio for two years, and he says that the best part about his job is that it feels like a family, and coming to work actually feels like coming home.

Jeremy has been dealing cards for 21 years now, having started his career at Peppermill in Reno, and worked at a few card rooms over the years before moving out to Vegas five years ago.

Jeremy says that the main difference he sees between everyday players and those coming out for the Mixed Game Festival is that the mixed game crowd is “really focused on having a good time and enjoying the game above everything else.”

When he’s not dealing cards, Jeremy likes to spend his time kayaking on the Colorado River and going to baseball games. As for his professional aspirations, he is actually in the process of taking the next step and exchanging his dealer nametag for that of a supervisor/floorman. We wish him the best of luck!

It’s Go Time!

As is usually the case, action continued deep into the night at a couple of tables, with the most dedicated of players looking to get the maximum amount of hours and enjoy the opportunity to play mixed cash games as much as humanly possible.

Day 2 action kicks off with the traditional pizza party, and if you also want to secure your seat at the tables, you can call in ahead of time at (702) 693-7291 to put your name on the list. Showing up on time by 12pm guarantees that you’ll have a spot.

📣 @cardplayerlife‘s Mixed Game Festival XIV, sponsored by @BetMGMPoker, has a PIZZA PARTY tomorrow at the @Bellagio starting at NOON! 🥳
📽️ https://t.co/qZn3UshWcR
🔗 https://t.co/K0u0CjaTXp
♠️♥️♣️♦️#PokerLifeMedia #MGFXIV #FindTheFountains #JoinTheFestival pic.twitter.com/QcjQj7h3Pv

— Cardplayer Lifestyle (@PokerLifeMedia) June 1, 2026

On Day 3 of the festival — Tuesday, June 2 — we’ll be staging the event’s first big giveaway, with a $3,500 seat to the 2026 BetMGM Poker Championship awarded to the winner of a blind PLO flip.

Mixed games are back in town, everyone’s welcome to join, the action is fun and affordable, and there’s heaps of extra value up for grabs, so what’s your excuse for not showing up? 

The 2026 summer poker calendar brings an intense volume of play and it can drain even well-prepared players. You’re not just dealing with cards and opponents; you’re managing swings, entry fees and daily costs. Without a clear plan, it becomes easy to lose control of both your money and your focus.

Navigating the 2026 Schedule Density

The scale of this year’s action is hard to ignore. There are more than 95 bracelet events scheduled at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas alone. That kind of volume forces you to make decisions every single day about where your money goes. You can’t play everything, even if you want to.

This is where many players slip. Without structure, buy-ins and expenses start to blur together. If you jump into every $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event on impulse, you’ll likely feel the strain long before the schedule wraps up.

The numbers behind these events show why discipline matters. According to the official 2024 WSOP Results, the Main Event generated a $94,001,300 prize pool (WSOP.com, July 2024). The rewards are massive, but so is the competition chasing them.

Predicting Trends and Field Strength

It’s not just your own play that matters. The environment around you can shape your experience just as much. Understanding how many players are entering events and how strong those fields might be gives you a quieter but valuable edge.

Some players are also turning to alternative prediction platforms to track broader betting sentiment during major events. For example, Covers recently highlighted the Polymarket promo code, which offers users a trading bonus for exploring the platform’s real-world prediction markets. The promotion reflects how prediction-based platforms are increasingly positioning themselves alongside traditional sports and entertainment betting experiences, especially as mobile access continues expanding in 2026. On Polymarket, users track probabilities tied to real-world outcomes, including tournament participation and industry trends.

By watching how these markets move, you can get a sense of expectations before the cards are even dealt. If there’s a strong belief that the Main Event will break attendance records, you can prepare for larger crowds, longer waitlists and tougher competition.

It shifts the conversation from guesswork to a more measurable sense of sentiment, helping you plan your days with greater clarity.

Tactical Bankroll Management for the Grind

Your bankroll is the one thing you carry into every event, so how you treat it matters. It’s easy to get caught up in the energy of Las Vegas, but that’s often when mistakes happen. A clear structure helps you avoid emotional decisions.

One approach many players rely on is the 100-buy-in rule for their average stakes. If you’re focusing on $1,000 events, that means having a $100,000 cushion. It’s not about being overly cautious; it’s about giving yourself room to handle variance without pressure affecting your play.

There are also practical habits that can keep you grounded during a long series. Swapping percentages with other players can reduce your exposure to swings. Tracking every buy-in and result through dedicated apps helps you stay aware of where you stand.

Keeping a separate “life roll” ensures your day-to-day expenses never interfere with your poker decisions. Even something as simple as registering early can help you avoid unnecessary stress and fatigue.

Leveraging the Modern Betting Experience

When you step away from the poker room, the broader betting environment offers a different kind of pace. Sportsbooks in 2026 have become more than just places to place wagers. They’re designed as social, high-energy spaces where you can reset mentally.

You’ll find a wide range of markets, from summer baseball to European football, all running alongside the poker schedule. For some players, placing a bet becomes a way to stay engaged without the same level of pressure as a tournament hand. The rise of mobile access means you don’t even need to leave your seat to interact with these markets.

Still, the key is balance. It’s easy to let one form of action bleed into another. Keeping clear boundaries ensures that these moments remain breaks, not extensions of the same financial risk you’re already managing at the tables.

Protecting Your Mental and Physical Capital

A summer in Las Vegas is demanding in ways that go beyond poker. You’re dealing with long hours, constant noise and a cost of living that can quietly add up. If you’re not tracking those expenses, they start to eat into your overall plan.

Data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority shows the average daily room rate reached $187.31 in 2024 (LVCVA, March 2024) and prices have continued to trend upward. That means your accommodation, food and transport all need to be factored in before you arrive.

The 2026 schedule rewards preparation. If you approach it with a clear plan, realistic expectations and attention to both your finances and wellbeing, you give yourself the best chance to last the distance.

Where the Setup Breaks

The weak point usually appears during a peak moment. A Sunday tournament series, a major boxing card, or a holiday casino campaign can push wallets, game feeds, bonus rules, and support teams at once. If the content layer is patched together, one provider outage can create settlement delays, frozen balances, or messy dispute trails.

The same risk appears when operators expand from poker into slots, live dealer tables, crash games, or crypto payments. More content can improve retention, but it also creates more contracts, reporting formats, promotional rules, and fraud signals. A casino aggregator should reduce that load. If it only adds another dashboard, the team inherits more noise.

Evidence Snapshot Operators Can Verify

Regulated operators already know that technical control is not optional. The UK Gambling Commission’s Remote Gambling and Software Technical Standards require licensed remote gambling and software businesses to meet technical and security expectations, including controls linked to supplier relationships, logging, change management, testing, and secure development. 

Payments add another layer. PCI DSS defines baseline technical and operational requirements for protecting payment account data, while FATF guidance warns that virtual assets can create specific money laundering and terrorist financing red flags. For operators, the lesson is practical: payment choice, fraud monitoring, and audit records must be designed together.

The Operator Fit Checklist

Use the “Peak-Ready Aggregation” test before signing. It keeps the conversation away from glossy game counts and closer to the daily objects your team must operate: wallet ledger, bonus engine, risk rules, provider feeds, and support logs.

• Ask how the vendor handles provider downtime during live campaigns.
• Run a load test across login, wallet, game launch, and cashier flows.
• Check whether reporting separates game provider, jurisdiction, currency, and campaign.
• Review how bonus abuse, chargebacks, and suspicious crypto activity are flagged.
• Test migration steps with real content categories, not sample games.
• Confirm audit logs show who changed limits, rules, payouts, and integrations.
• Ask what support sees when a player disputes a round or payment.

The Trade-Offs Are Real

A strong casino aggregator can simplify content access, but simplicity has a cost. Operators may give up some direct control over provider negotiations, custom mechanics, or release timing. That trade-off can be valid for a lean team entering new markets. It can be less attractive for a mature brand with deep provider relationships and unusual game rules.

There are also daily tensions. KYC protects the business but can hurt conversion. Fast payments improve trust but attract fraud pressure. Personalization can lift engagement but must respect privacy rules. Real-time changes help marketers, while auditability protects compliance teams. The best vendor conversation makes these tensions visible before the contract is signed.

What Operators Can Build With NuxGame

NuxGame fits operators that want broader casino content without turning every provider launch into a separate integration project. Its online casino game aggregation approach is designed around content access, provider connectivity, and operational control. That can help teams move faster while keeping focus on wallet performance, reporting quality, and risk readiness.

For crypto-led brands, payments and back-office control matter as much as games. Operators evaluating NuxGame bitcoin casino software should look at how crypto payments, player management, fraud checks, and reporting connect with the wider stack. The outcome to seek is not “more features.” There are fewer operational gaps during real traffic.

A Practical Next Step

Before choosing a casino aggregator, run one rehearsal this week. Pick a peak scenario, such as a tournament final plus a live casino promotion and crypto withdrawal spike. Ask every shortlisted vendor to show the same flow from player login to dispute record. The best answer will reveal how the system behaves when margin, trust, and control are under pressure.