B.C. man finishes 3rd in poker’s World Championship, wins $3.75M

B.C. man finishes 3rd in poker’s World Championship, wins $3.75M

Published 1:15 pm Thursday, August 6, 2026

By Tricia Leslie/Peace Arch News

White Rock resident Greg Mueller is $3.75 million richer after coming in third in the 2026 World Series of Poker Main Event in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The former professional hockey player produced the deepest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event run by a Canadian in 16 years, and outlasted 9,208 players in the fourth-largest Main Event field in history, a Poker.Org release shared.

Mueller, who played professional hockey in Germany, is a three-time WSOP bracelet winner and this time, he came within two places of becoming Canada’s first Main Event champion since Jonathan Duhamel’s historic victory in 2010.

“It’s been so amazing. The love — it trumps the poker and the money — that’s what life’s all about,” Mueller said, while reflecting on his remarkable run and the support he received throughout the tournament.

His run ended in dramatic fashion after a hero call against Finland’s Lauri Saaskilahti, bringing to a close one of the biggest performances of his distinguished poker career. The $3.75 million prize is the largest live tournament score of Mueller’s career by a considerable margin.

Former Vancouver Canuck Cliff Ronning travelled to Las Vegas to support his friend, posting photos on social media and praising Mueller for his success.

“Congrats to a great human being Greg Mueller. Coming 3rd in the World Series of Poker. Played your heart out. Proud of you,” Ronning posted, alongside photos from the event.