The Full List of 2026 WSOP Rule Changes
The 2026 World Series of Poker comes with a number of rule updates that differ from last year, and every player heading to the felt should take note before they sit down.
Several rule changes have already been talked about online, but not all of them. We've brought the full list.
We'll start of with changes to the Player of the Year competition, then cover changes to sitting late, stalling/clock calling, and third-party prizes (like the $1,000,000 promotion by ClubWPT Gold in the 2025 WSOP).
WSOP Player of the Year (POY) in 2026
Shaun Deeb claimed the WSOP Player of the Year title in 2025.
Last year, the POY race only factored in the Las Vegas events running from May 27th through July 16th.
The 2026 World Series of Poker Rules open things up considerably, allowing players to accumulate points across three separate WSOP series:
- WSOP Europe in Prague
- WSOP at Paris Las Vegas and Horseshoe Las Vegas
- WSOP Paradise in the Bahamas
The 2025 World Series of Poker Rules placed no ceiling on how many results could count, but in 2026, the leaderboard will now recognize only a player's top 15 scores. This effectively neutralizes the advantage of sheer volume and creates a more even competition. Someone who does well in a handful of tournaments can rank just as well as someone who plays dozens of events, in theory.
Online events counted in 2025, but they have been removed from POY eligibility entirely for 2026.
Certain live events remain excluded as well, and the official language leaves the door open for further exclusions down the line:
"Non-open Events and online Bracelet Events do not count toward P.O.Y. standings. This includes events such as Industry Employees, Seniors, Super Seniors, Tag Team, and Ladies. This list is not exhaustive, and additional Events may be excluded."
We will point out that excluding events later on is not the best approach. Let's say you have specific tournaments chosen that suit your skills, with your sights on the POY leaderboard (and the prize pool, of course). A last minute exclusion is not going to make you too happy.
Most likely, the WSOP is just adding this last sentence to for flexibility. They probably won't expand the excluded list, but we'll have to wait and see.
Rule 4 (e) – MoonPay Added to Online Payment Methods
Players can now use MoonPay to buy-in online for their events, which wasn't the case in 2025.
However, using MoonPay does not mean you can just buy-in online and take your seat. You'll still need to present matching ID at the WSOP Verification area (the Versailles Ballroom in the Paris convention center area)
Rule 4 (e) states:
"First time MoonPay registration requires an in-person verification process. After registering, Participants must present a valid ID at the WSOP Verification area. The name on the ID must match the name on the tournament registration and the MoonPay account used to execute the MoonPay transaction. Please allow at least one hour prior to the WSOP Event start time for first-time MoonPay registrations."
Rule 5 – Reduced Credit Card Fees & No Debit Card Fees
Credit card fees have been reduced by 1% for the 2026 WSOP. From 3% in 2025, they've now dropped to 2%. This administrative fees are all included in the event buy-in price, and this extra 2% fee is for the payment method.
PayPal is now listed in this fee section, carrying the same 2% fee.
For debit cards, "no fees will be applied."
That's a win for WSOP players, especially high rollers.
Rule 5 states:
"There will be an additional 2% fee applied if Participant uses a Visa, Mastercard, Discover card, American
Express card, or PayPal to register. No fees will be applied to Debit Card purchases."
Rule 17 (g) – New Broadcast Partner
This change is mostly administrative and is very unlikely to affect anything at the WSOP tables.
CBS Sports held the broadcast rights in 2025. For 2026, ABC (and its subsidiaries and affiliates) takes over that role. Both ABC and ESPN are subsidiaries of The Walt Disney Company, and ESPN that will be broadcasting the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event.
Ty Stewart, CEO of the WSOP said, “No pair beats ESPN and the World Series of Poker. The legacy of this collaboration helped the game explode and we can’t wait to deliver inspiration through world class content to a new generation of viewers.”
press releaseRule 17 (g) also permits ABC employees and their immediate family members to enter bracelet events, provided the Host Property grants written approval and the event is one "in which hole cards are not being monitored by the production staff of ABC."
Pretty standard stuff here, but the next rules will affect tournament players.
Rule 35 – Chips in Play Once Tournament Starts
In earlier eras, a player could register for a tournament and choose to take their seat later. Once they did take their seat, the chips would also be in play. Those days are over.
Under the updated Rule 35, any player who has registered before an event begins will have their chips placed in play automatically, meaning the blinds will eat into their stack whether they are present or not. Obviously, this takes any incentive out of showing up late after registering.
It's a sensible fix to a loophole that arguably should have been closed long ago.
Rule 35 states:
"Participants that register before the start of the Event will have their chip stack put in play and blinded off. Once a chip stack goes into play for a Participant that has registered before the start of play, there are no refunds unless WSOP Tournament Management has been notified or determines that there are existing extenuating circumstances which will be determined on a case by case in Host Property's sole discretion."
A tournament starts, and your chip stack is in play, regardless of whether you care to be there on time or not. Nobody is going to be too outraged by this one.
Rule 37 – WSOP Terms May Change
A subtle but notable wording change appears in this rule when compared to the 2025 version. The new language explicitly gives the organization the ability to amend the 2026 Official Tournament Rules themselves, at any time.
The closing sentence was also tweaked to say "already properly awarded" instead of just "already awarded," which could be related to last year's scandal in the Millionaire Maker. The WSOP was forced to alter the prizes, including the bracelets, after it appeared that players controlled the outcome to win an extra prize. More on that in Rule 40 (e).
In 2025, Rule 37 stated:
Host Properties reserve the right to cancel, change or modify the WSOP at any time, for any reason, subject to all applicable regulatory approval, provided that such modification shall not, as of the date of such modification, materially alter or change any Participant's prize already awarded."
In 2026, Rule 37 states:
"Host Properties reserve the right to cancel, change or modify the WSOP, including modifying these 2026 World Series of Poker Official Tournament Rules, at any time, for any reason, subject to all applicable regulatory approval, provided that such modification shall not, as of the date of such modification, materially alter or change any Participant's prize already properly awarded."
Rule 38 – New WSOP Chip Owners
The 2026 rules designate tournament chips as property of the Host Property. Previously, they were considered the property of the WSOP itself.
Last year, Paulson chips were used. These were the same chips we've seen since 2022.
In practical terms, players won't notice any difference, but we may (hopefully) have new chip designs for the 2026 World Series of Poker.
Read ReadRule 40 (e) – The Jesse Yaginuma Rule
This rule stems directly from one of the most talked-about controversies of the 2025 series.
During the $1,500 Millionaire Maker, a ClubWPT Gold promotion offered an additional $1,000,000 prize if a specific player (Jesse Yaginuma) won the tournament. Yaginuma proceeded to do exactly that, mounting a comeback from a 9-to-1 chip deficit to take the title.
During the tournament, it was immediately obvious to experienced players that the two finalists were not playing normally.
Following an investigation, the WSOP declined to award an official winner or bracelet. Both players split the prize pool equally, with no further financial penalty imposed.
The new rule means that if the $1,500 Millionaire Maker situation happened this year, both finalists may have to return the prize money, plus interest.
Rule 40 (e) states:
Read Read"Host Properties will penalize any act that, in the sole and absolute discretion of Host Properties, is inconsistent with these WSOP Official Tournament Rules or the best interests of the WSOP Tournament. Such act includes, but is not limited to, the Participant accepting any payment or prize from a third-party person or entity (e.g., pursuant to a promotion, product or service) based on the outcome or results of any WSOP Event, in which case the Participant shall forfeit all of the WSOP prize money; if the prize money has already been paid to Participant, then the Host Properties shall have the right to the return of all the prize money plus interest."
Rule 52 – Logo Pre-Approval
While a pre-approval process existed in the 2025 rules, the 2026 version expands on it significantly.
Players wishing to display a poker site logo must now submit a written request to a dedicated WSOP email address at least 24 hours before their event, and must wait for explicit approval before wearing it.
As before, any logos considered to be "injurious or prejudicial to the interests of Host Properties, the World Series of Poker, ABC (and their subsidiaries and affiliates) or honest advertising and reputable business in general" will not be permitted.
Rule 53 – Banned Logos
One notable removal: the prohibition on cryptocurrency-related apparel, which appeared in the 2025 rules, has been dropped entirely.
This is going to be good news for anyone who gets a lucrative deal from a cryptocurrency exchange! Most likely, sites like CoinPoker that are cryptocurrency-focused were not affected by this, since they are just poker rooms accepting those forms of payment, not a crypto company or exchange.
The ban on marijuana-related imagery and logos remains in place.
Rule 54 (a) – Logo Limits & Sizes
Players will find some restrictions tightened here and one restriction loosened.
The number of logos allowed on a primary garment has been cut from three, down to two. The sleeve/shoulder allowance has also been reduced. The 2025 rules permitted one patch per sleeve or shoulder, but the 2026 rules allow just one sleeve or shoulder patch in total.
The one upside: the maximum size for that single sleeve/shoulder patch has doubled, jumping from 6 square inches to 12 square inches, which is a fairly generous amount of real estate.
Rule 54 (b) – Logos on Scarves or Masks
Facial masks and scarves bearing logos join temporary tattoos and adhesive strips on the list of prohibited items for 2026.
Scarves and masks are still permitted, so Ike Haxton and Christoph Vogelsang don't need to change their styles. The only thing they can't do is carry a logo.
Read ReadRule 54 (b.1) – Limit to Feature Table Sponsored Players
At feature tables, a maximum of two players representing the same sponsor are now permitted to be seated simultaneously. In 2025, that number was three.
This rule might affect the larger sites like GGPoker, who will probably patch-up a significant number of players.
Aside from putting patches on finalists, GGPoker will also be sending 1,000 players to the 2026 World Series of Poker. Play special satellites on GGPoker for as little as $0.50, earn the WSOP Express Bracelet Pass, and unlock other exclusive benefits.
Rule 80 – The Stalling Rule
Deliberate stalling near the bubble is one of the oldest tricks in tournament poker. Slow things down, hope a shorter stack goes out, and move up the payout ladder.
The 2026 rules take a stronger aim at the practice, in all the forms it takes. Even stalling through less conventional methods could be penalized, depending on how close tournament officials are watching.
Rule 80 mentions:
"Any Participant intentionally stalling the progress of the game may be placed on a clock for all decisions moving forward. Participants unnecessarily calling the clock or stalling, including purposely depleting time banks to ladder up in the payout, may be subject to a reduced clock or incur a penalty in accordance with Rules 40, 113, and 114."
Importantly, the rule cuts both ways. Players who call the clock without genuine cause can also face penalties. In short, any form of deliberate time-wasting is now an offense. This is a smart rule to implement, and it should help make important moments more fair.
Another part of Rule 80 allows floor staff to act more broadly when needed:
"Host Properties, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right, at any time, to invoke a clock or speed up the amount of time allotted for a clock. Host Properties, in its sole and absolute discretion, reserves the right at any time to implement an Event-wide 'player shot-clock' into any tournament at any point in that tournament's structure."
An event-wide shot clock would be a sight to behold, but lets not pretend it would be unfair. In online tournaments, players have a set amount of time to act in. Why should live tournaments be different?
How Online Satellites Can Bring You to the 2026 WSOP
Those are the rule changes for the 2026 WSOP. But, as Rule 37 says, these might change if the WSOP needs to make additions. We'll keep you updated here.
If you want to satellite your way into the World Series of Poker this year, for far less than a normal buy-in, there are several options:
- GGPoker will send 1,000 players into the 2026 WSOP $10,000 Main Event. It could take you are little as $0.50.
- ClubGG is rewarding its players with 100 tickets into smaller WSOP events for the 2026 series. For as little as $9.99, you can win up to $1,700 value tickets.
- Winamax players can enter satellites every Sunday to play their way into the 2026 WSOP. There are also €25 Expresso tournaments which award WSOP packages.
- WSOP Online has satellites to the Main Event running on Saturday and Sunday at 12:30 AM UTC. Along with special freeroll and WSOP promos, there will be official bracelet events.