Eveslage Takes Command Late in $10,000 Dealer’s Choice as Ausmus and Schulman Remain in Pursuit

As Day 2 unfolds at WSOP Event #27, Chad Eveslage surges into the lead in the high‑stakes Dealer’s Choice Championship, with seasoned contenders Jeremy Ausmus and Nick Schulman firmly in the mix.

The World Series of Poker’s $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship (Event #27) is building crescendo-level drama. As of June 8, 2026, Chad Eveslage has emerged as the chip leader among the final 11 players remaining, while previous favorites Jeremy Ausmus and Nick Schulman continue to press forward with chips and discipline intact, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash on Day 3.

Breaking Through: Eveslage Claims the Lead

According to PokerNews, Eveslage now commands the field with a dominant stack as Day 2 draws to a close. Among the notable names still standing, Jeremy Ausmus and Nick Schulman remain very much in contention, breathing an added layer of tension into the event.

Supporting this, detailed chip counts published on the tournament’s profile page corroborate Eveslage’s lead: he sits atop the leaderboard with approximately 1,440,000 in chips, followed by Duane Fontenot with 980,000, while Ausmus and Schulman hold 780,000 and 690,000 respectively, with Jake Schwartz not far behind at 875,000. In total, 26 players remain in the field, with survival now only two eliminations from the money bubble bursting.

Down to the Wire: Bubble Looms as Drama Builds

The bubble—that cruel tipping point between no payday and the green zones of WSOP cashes—now threatens to consume two more hopefuls before the money is in sight. PokerNews reports that play will proceed hand-for-hand until those eliminations occur, ratcheting up the nerves in every remaining participant.

The format’s notorious complexity only adds to the suspense. Dealer’s Choice demands acute adaptability across numerous poker variants, and Eveslage’s leadership suggests not only a commanding chip stack, but mastery over the many disciplines in rotation.

Contenders to Watch: Ausmus, Schulman and Schwartz

Jeremy Ausmus, a polished grinder with multiple WSOP final tables and six bracelets to his name, remains well-stacked and strategically positioned with 780,000 chips. His steady and disciplined style could prove lethal as the field shrinks.

Nick Schulman, not to be underestimated, holds 690,000 in chips. Known for his cool temperament and deft technical play, Schulman remains in striking distance should the chip dynamics shift.

And though Jake Schwartz trails slightly with 875,000, his presence cannot be overlooked. His stack keeps him right in the thick of things, potentially poised to seize opportunity as others tighten up heading into Day 3.

Looking Ahead: Strategy and Stakes for Day 3

With the bubble perilously close, each decision now carries outsized weight. Players must balance aggression with caution—navigating not only the chip dynamics but the varied formats of Dealer’s Choice. Will Eveslage’s lead hold under pressure, or will one of the experienced guns like Ausmus or Schulman close the gap?

The path to the bracelet on Day 3 will demand flexibility, patience and timely aggression. With the money bubble ready to burst and the money jump in sight, the chess match intensifies—from here, every bet, draw and fold can change the leaderboard in a flash.

Stay tuned as the $10K Dealer’s Choice unfolds into what promises to be a fittingly epic showdown.

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