Trio of Stars Dominates 2026 WSOP Player of the Year Race

The 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is proving to be a career-defining summer for several top players, with Nick Schulman, Alex Foxen, and Naoya Kihara emerging as the frontrunners in the coveted Player of the Year (POY) race. Midway through the series, this trio has already amassed multiple bracelets and numerous final table appearances, setting a fierce pace for the competition.

Leading the Pack

Poker Hall of Famer Nick Schulman currently holds the top spot in the POY standings with an impressive 2,002 points. His dominant performance includes winning his eighth WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event. Prior to this victory, Schulman secured a runner-up finish in the $1,500 Limit Badugi and has reached two other final tables, most recently finishing fifth in the $10,000 Big O Championship. His consistent high-level play has been a major talking point of the series.

Hot on his heels is Alex Foxen, who has also had a stellar summer, securing his fourth WSOP bracelet in the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty tournament. Foxen has been a force in high-stakes events, with notable cashes including a third-place finish in the $25,000 Heads Up Championship for $300,000, fifth place in the $600 NLH/PLO for $55,305, and sixth in the $100,000 High Roller for $522,347. The Foxen household is celebrating success, as his wife, Kristen Foxen, also recently won her sixth bracelet.

Rounding out the top three is Japan’s Naoya Kihara, who has claimed two bracelets this summer. Kihara emerged victorious in both the $10,000 2-7 No-Limit Draw Lowball Championship and the $10,000 Limit Seven Card Stud Championship. This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for Kihara, whose only previous bracelet was won in 2012. He currently sits third in the POY race with 1,686 points.

Other Notable Contenders

The top ten of the POY race features a mix of seasoned champions and rising stars. Seven-time bracelet winner Josh Arieh is in contention, alongside high-stakes regular Chris Hunichen and Midwest grinder Richard Alsup. Even perennial contender Shaun Deeb, who won the POY title in 2025, finds himself in seventh place with 1,602 points despite having only one cash this summer. Deeb’s history makes him a player to watch, as he has consistently been a favorite for the POY title.

Germany’s Dennis Weiss is also tied with Kihara in third place, having won the $1,500 Limit Hold’em for $133,704, a runner-up finish in $1,500 Limit Razz for $90,354, and a fifth-place finish in $1,500 PLO Hi-Lo for $56,738.

The Battle for Supremacy

With the 2026 WSOP still in full swing, the race for Player of the Year is far from decided. The performances of Schulman, Foxen, and Kihara highlight the depth of talent and the competitive spirit at this year’s series. As more bracelets are awarded and more tournaments conclude, the standings are likely to continue shifting, promising an exciting conclusion to the POY race.

Key facts

The ongoing battle for the WSOP Player of the Year title is a significant storyline for poker enthusiasts, showcasing the pinnacle of competitive poker achievement. For players and fans alike, tracking these top performers provides insight into current poker strategy and the dedication required to succeed at the highest level of the game. The performances of Schulman, Foxen, and Kihara demonstrate exceptional skill and consistency, making them compelling figures to follow throughout the remainder of the series.

Source: PokerNews – These Players Are Dominating the WSOP Player of the Year Race (https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/06/three-players-dominating-wsop-poy-race-51578.htm?utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=homefeed&utm_source=rss)