High-stakes poker showdown reshapes 2024 WSOP Main Event leaderboard

A bold all-in bluff and a pocket pair changed everything. With 10,112 players, this year's WSOP is rewriting poker history—one high-stakes hand at a time.

, and Administrator

2026 February 15 . 1:29 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of people in canoes on a river, with some of them holding paddles. On the... — The image shows a group of people in canoes on a river, with some of them holding paddles. On the left side of the image, there is a bridge with railings and pillars, and a few people standing on the ground. In the background, there are trees and a wall, suggesting that this is a scene from the River Cam Race.

High-stakes poker showdown reshapes 2024 WSOP Main Event leaderboard

The 2024 World Series of Poker Main Event has drawn even more players than last year. A total of 10,112 competitors entered, up 112 from the 10,000 who took part in 2023. The event has already seen dramatic moments, including a high-stakes showdown between Lev Margolin and Habib Brahim.

The clash began when Margolin called Brahim's opening bet of 100,000 from the Button. On a flop of 3♠ 6♥ 3♦, Margolin pushed all in for roughly 500,000. Brahim made the call, revealing A♦ Q♥, while Margolin held 8♥ 8♣.

Margolin's pocket eights held strong, doubling his stack to 1,300,000. The win left Brahim with a reduced stack of 1,250,000 after the hand.

The hand shifted momentum in Margolin's favour, boosting his chip count significantly. With the tournament still underway, both players remain in contention, though Brahim now faces a steeper climb. The event continues to attract record-breaking participation, setting the stage for more intense poker action.