Lex Veldhuis Reaches WSOP Final Table: Poker Star Narrowly Misses First Bracelet

Dutch poker professional and popular streamer Lex Veldhuis has made headlines at the ongoing 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Online. Playing from his new home in Costa Rica, Veldhuis has launched an impressive campaign that recently resulted in his first WSOP final table appearance in 17 years. The renowned grinder has already secured cashes in eight of the first 14 completed bracelet events on GGPoker, highlighting his excellent current form.

Particular attention was drawn to his deep run in Event #14, a $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) tournament. Veldhuis, who streams his play to a loyal community on Twitch, navigated through a field of 721 entrants to reach the final table. This broke a long drought at the World Series, as his last final table appearance dated back to 2009 in Las Vegas, where he finished seventh in the $40,000 No-Limit Hold'em 40th Anniversary Event.

Numbers and facts

The $1,500 PLO event generated a total prize pool of $1,027,425. A total of 84 players finished in the money. For his fifth-place finish, Veldhuis secured $30,118 from the regular prize pool and an additional $11,347 in bounties, totaling $41,465. The victory went to Finnish player Kai Lehto, playing under the nickname "Lasi Paihinen." Lehto collected a total of $147,225 and received a $30,000 Super Pass to the WSOP Paradise Super Main Event in December 2026.

Veldhuis' path to the final table was challenging. Two weeks ago, he finished 10th in the $1,000 Mystery Bounty PLO for $4,522. Shortly after, he placed 16th in the $2,500 Turbo NLH Championship for $12,123. On September 3, 2026, the dream of a first bracelet seemed within reach when he briefly held the chip lead with only 11 players remaining.

Background

For Lex Veldhuis, the success is more than just financial. During his live stream, he emphasized the emotional significance of a potential bracelet win.

"Winning a bracelet would mean the world to me." - Lex Veldhuis, Poker Professional and Streamer

His elimination in fifth place was ultimately due to an unfortunate setup. In a hand against Cypriot player "Cursed79," Veldhuis committed his remaining chips with a pair of aces. However, his opponent had already flopped a set and held a straight draw. Veldhuis could not improve and had to watch as Kai Lehto later triumphed in the heads-up battle against "Cursed79." Notable names such as Rainer Kempe, Mark Radoja, and Niklas Astedt also reached the money in this event but missed the final table.

Why it matters for German players

German poker fans often follow Lex Veldhuis' success live on Twitch but must remain aware of the legal framework in Germany. Playing on GGPoker is generally possible for German customers as long as the provider implements the strict rules of the 2021 Interstate Treaty on Gambling (GlüStV 2021). This includes connection to the central monitoring system LUGAS and a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros across all providers.

Players in Germany should ensure they only play with providers listed on the official whitelist of the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). While international tournament series like the WSOP Online offer high buy-ins and prize pools, German users are subject to limits such as one euro per spin on virtual slots and a five-second waiting period. Poker tournaments are subject to specific regulatory checks, making the use of licensed platforms essential for payout security.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

For operators with a German license from the GGL, Veldhuis' success demonstrates that interest in competitive poker remains strong. German licensees must ensure that marketing measures and tournament offerings do not violate strict youth protection and addiction prevention guidelines. While international platforms like GGPoker often utilize aggressive bounties and turbo formats, German offerings must always guarantee identity verification and the panic button system. The success of professionals like Veldhuis or German player Benjamin Rolle, who recently won his second bracelet, serves as a draw for the industry, but the GGL ensures the game's character does not shift too far toward uncontrolled gambling.