An unexpected frontrunner emerges as six players await the delayed December showdown in Las Vegas—the stakes have never been higher in this veteran‑studded, bounty‑filled WPT finale.
The air in San Jose crackled with tension as the final table for the 2026 WPT Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship locked in on October 26. Six players remain alive in the $5,300 no‑limit hold’em showdown—among them a surprise chip leader and a familiar WPT face. But this story is just beginning; all eyes now shift to Las Vegas, where glory, cash, and a televised trophy await.
A Cinderella Surge to the Lead
When the cards went into the bag at the close of Day 3, it was Quoc Mai—an otherwise under‑the‑radar San Francisco pro—sitting atop the count with a commanding 10,165,000 in chips, good for approximately 254 big blinds when play resumes. His surge came courtesy of a dramatic three‑way all‑in that knocked out Jeremy Menard and Joe Nguyen, with Mai’s pocket kings holding firm against ace‑queen and pocket threes. That final hand not only sent both opponents home but also vaulted Mai into an unassailable lead heading into December’s finale. Coverage from Card Player and the PokerNews confirms the 10.165 million figure and the pivotal hand that made the difference.
The Challengers Still in the Hunt
Atop his seat, Mai isn’t in solitude—Chahn Jung trails closely with 9,075,000 chips (around 227 big blinds), his own late surge powered by a similar three‑way knockout that ousted Adam Hendrix and Aaron Massey. Jung, fresh off a runner‑up finish in a 2026 WSOP $3,000 NLHE event, is a dangerous foe to chase. These figures are verified by both Card Player and the official WPT counts.
Ziao “Zeo” Guo occupies third in chips with 4,095,000 (about 102 big blinds), while WPT Champ‑who‑is‑also‑a‑bracelet‑winner Shawn Daniels sits fourth with 3,000,000 (75 big blinds). Eric Zheng brings 2,065,000 to the table (52 big blinds), and short‑stacked William Davis will return with just 700,000 (18 big blinds). All six names and stack sizes are detailed in Card Player and matched in PokerNews.
What’s on the Line?
With the delayed final table set for December 15 at Wynn Las Vegas, the title now carries more than prestige. The winner will pocket $470,500—including a $10,400 entry to the WPT World Championship—and take home the coveted Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup. Combined, the remaining prize pool hovers near $1.4 million, with payouts stretching from $94,000 for sixth up to the near-half-million top prize. These stakes are confirmed by both industry coverage and the WPT’s official details.
High Stakes, Long Wait, and Heavyweights
The lengthy intermission—spanning nearly seven weeks—raises questions about momentum, preparation, and psychological edge. For Mai, the delay offers time to strategize and refine his rookie‑esque run. For veterans like Daniels, it’s a chance to reset and harness final‑table experience under pressure. With four players holding big stacks and two underdogs lurking, the chess match promises to be riveting.
Moreover, even the shortest stacks here pose a threat. Davis, despite being the short stack, still holds about 18 big blinds—a viable situation for disruption, especially with blinds still relatively deep when play resumes. Meanwhile, Guo, with over 100 big blinds, and Jung, with over 200, can apply pressure on both ends of the table.
Looking Ahead to December
This Bay 101 delayed final isn’t just another WPT finale—it’s a clash of narratives. An unknown contender rides a wave, chasing history, while seasoned pros aim to assert dominance. Lights, cameras, and tension await in Las Vegas, where the next chapter will be written.
Mark your calendars for December 15: the finale promises drama, swingy ICM decisions, and one player’s name etched in poker lore.
Sources
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