Foxen Leads WSOP Player of the Year Race as Top Pros Vie for Top Spot

The race for the coveted World Series of Poker (WSOP) Player of the Year title is heating up, with veteran poker pros Alex Foxen, Nick Schulman, and Josh Arieh currently at the forefront of the standings. Despite a strong start to the series, pre-tournament favorite Shaun Deeb finds himself in a chase position, illustrating the intense competition at this year’s WSOP.

Battle for the Top Spot

Alex Foxen currently leads the WSOP Player of the Year standings with 2,720 points. His consistent performance throughout the summer, including a bracelet win and five final table appearances, has kept him in a strong position.

Nick Schulman is a close second with 2,550 points. He narrowly missed an opportunity to take the lead after a heads-up loss in the $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship to Koji Fujimoto. Schulman’s strong showing in this high-stakes mixed game event has propelled him up the rankings.

Josh Arieh, the 2021 Player of the Year, has surged to third place with 2,457 points. His recent runner-up finish in the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship against Benny Glaser earned him 465 crucial points, re-establishing him as a top contender.

Key Facts

Deeb’s Climb Back

Shaun Deeb, who entered the summer series as a favorite after strong performances at WSOP Europe, is currently in eighth place with 2,019 points. Despite only two cashes so far this summer, he has made them count, securing second and fifth-place finishes. Deeb’s past success and ability to accumulate points quickly suggest he remains a dangerous contender who could make a significant move up the leaderboard with a strong final stretch. The WSOP Player of the Year race considers a player’s top 15 point-scoring results, and Deeb, with eight cashes to date, is well within striking distance of the leaders.

The competition also features Benny Glaser in fourth place with 2,407 points, following his victory over Arieh in the Poker Players Championship. Eelis Parssinen rounds out the top five with 2,310 points, boosted by two bracelet wins.

This year’s WSOP Player of the Year race encompasses results from WSOP Europe, WSOP Las Vegas, and WSOP Paradise, making it a comprehensive test of a player’s all-around poker skill and endurance. The ongoing series continues to provide thrilling narratives and highlights the exceptional talent within the professional poker community.

Source: PokerNews – It’s All Crushers Atop the WSOP Player of the Year Standings; Deeb Still Hanging in There – https://www.pokernews.com/news/2026/06/wsop-player-of-the-year-update-51697.htm