This timing places it perfectly as a prime high-stakes warmup for players heading to Las Vegas for their annual pilgrimage.
The HCL Million Dollar Game features a $1 million minimum buy-in cash game with stakes set at $500/$1,000 with a monster $2,000 big blind ante, continuing the tradition of the most expensive and action-packed streamed cash games in poker history.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
MILLION DOLLAR GAME 2026 💵
$500/1K + $2K BB ante 💵
$1 MILLION minimum buyin 💵
Coming in Late May (dates subject to change) 🗓️Who will be joining the GOAT @Mister_Keating on the biggest stage?!?
Confirmed players will be announced soon + you can win… pic.twitter.com/4UHqaFAoiF
— Hustler Casino Live (@HCLPokerShow) February 26, 2026
The event first launched in 2023 as the first-ever $1 million buy-in livestream cash game, and it has delivered massive pots, including the record $3.1 million pot won by Tom Dwan.
This game isn’t for the faint-hearted. Monster swings are likely for all participants, including the eventual winners.
$3.1 MILLION POT!! THE BIGGEST POT IN THE HISTORY OF TELEVISED POKER!!@TomDwan vs @CryptoApprenti1
Tom Dwan is now winning more than $2 MILLION tonight pic.twitter.com/Fiv7ldVykt
— Hustler Casino Live (@HCLPokerShow) May 31, 2023
Who Will Play in the Million Dollar Game?
Fan favourite Alan Keating is back and expected to play. The Michigan high roller is a staple in these games and he crushed the 2025 edition, winning over $1.9 million across all sessions. Keating remains one of the show’s most consistent big winners and action-bringers, question is: who will want to take him on?
One potential big name that is yet to confirm their interest is 17-time WSOP bracelet winner and Poker Hall of Famer Phil Hellmuth.
The Poker Brat has publicly stated he’s “strongly considering” entering the Million Dollar Game, but this is a very different proposition from a WSOP tournament that features a high proportion of amateurs. There will be no mugs at Hustler Casino wanting to play in this game.
Other names speculated to be appearing include Nik Airball, Sam “Senor Tilt” Kiki, Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek, Haralabos Voulgaris, Ethan “Rampage” Yau, and Mariano Grandoli, though no full lineup has been announced yet by HCL co-founder Ryan Feldman.
Notably, poker playing lawyer Tom Goldstein, who once played masked up as “Thomas” in the 2024 game, is confirmed not participating following his recent conviction on fraud charges.
Keep an eye on Hustler Casino Live’s official announcements for the final player list as the hype is building, especially with the WSOP coming up right after and a potential Hellmuth appearance!
