Hossein Ensan is chasing immortality – A finale full of great stories

Seven long tournament days lie behind the players – and only 21 of the original 9,208 participants can still dream of the big score and the world championship title at the WSOP Main Event. Each of them has already secured $1,000. The winner awaits $1 million, and even ninth place is already rewarded with a seven-figure payout.From a German perspective, the focus is especially on Hossein Ensan. The 2019 world champion navigated Day 7 smoothly and, with around 29.7 million chips, is among the favorites to secure a seat at the final table.For the native Iranian, who has lived in Germany for several decades, this tournament run feels almost like a journey through time. The memories of his world championship triumph are becoming more vivid – but Hossein Ensan is convinced that he is an even stronger player today than he was when he won his title in 2019.“I am a significantly more complete player today than I was seven years ago, and of course I have much more experience. My table today felt almost like a final table – with so many strong opponents.”If Ensan should indeed win the most important poker tournament in the world for a second time, it would be a historical sensation. Since Johnny Chan triumphed in 1987 and 1988 back-to-back, no player has managed this feat. Ensan is just a few steps away from making poker history.For another German-speaking hopeful, the dream ended bitterly. Giuseppe “Ansgar2000” Pantaleo, originally from Bielefeld, was eliminated in 25th place when his ace-jack couldn’t hold up in a three-way all-in against queens and ace-king. Nevertheless, he can leave with his head held high – and with a payout ($1,000) that is substantial.The current chipleader of the tournament is Malcolm Trayner. The Australian starts Day 8 with a significant lead and could become the first player ever to win both prestigious titles in the same calendar year after his triumph at the Aussie Millions in May.Also still in the race are the reigning WSOP Player of the Year Shaun Deeb, who approaches the Main Event with the same emotional detachment as just another workday, and Todd Brunson. The son of poker legend Doyle Brunson could become world champion exactly 50 years after his father’s second Main Event title – a story that Hollywood could hardly write better.And another name might sound familiar to hockey fans: Greg Mueller is also still competing for the world title. The Canadian played in the DEL from 1992 to 1999 for teams including HEDOS Munich and the Ratingen Lions. In 1994, the 6’5″ tough defenseman even won the German championship with Munich. Now, he’s trading hard checks along the boards for all-ins at the poker table – dreaming of the biggest title of his second career.And then there’s Will Givens. The American is increasingly becoming the most colorful character of the last tournament days. Anyone who wants a mix of Will Kassouf and Martin Kabrhel will find the best entertainment with Givens. He talks without pause, constantly keeps the atmosphere lively, and seems to view the tournament more as a grand spectacle than a nerve-wracking million-dollar battle. At one point, he simply disappears from the table for half an hour, only to reappear as if nothing happened. With Givens at the table, one thing is guaranteed: it won’t be boring for a second.However, the biggest story so far belongs to Hossein Ensan. Just one successful tournament day stands between the 2019 world champion and the final table. And perhaps even something that would far surpass another world title: entry into the most exclusive circle of poker history.