WSOP Sends Lucas Jumalon on a Global Hunt for Poker’s Next Prodigy

pessi-lamm
By Pessi Lamm
1 hour ago
Share
Pessi Lamm 1 hour ago
Share this article
Or copy link
Copy
  • Lucas Jumalon will mentor one player to the 2027 WSOP Main Event.
  • The journey starts 13 November at Dusk Till Dawn, Nottingham.
  • WSOP will document the global search for a new poker protégé.
WSOP sends Lucas Jumalon to search for poker’s next prodigy with WSOP Academy.
The World Series of Poker (WSOP) has named Lucas Jumalon the first global ambassador for its new interactive poker training app, WSOP Academy, but this deal goes beyond being just a poster boy.

His mission? Travel the world, meet aspiring players at WSOP Circuit events, and find one protégé to mentor all the way to the 2027 WSOP Main Event.

Naturally, WSOP plans to film the whole adventure. A world champion on the road, a global hunt for poker's next prodigy, and a shot at the biggest stage in the game. Is WSOP cooking up its next poker series? It certainly looks possible.

Who Is Lucas Jumalon?


Lucas Jumalon WSOP
2026 WSOP Main Event champion Lucas Jumalon celebrates his $10 million payday. (image: WSOP.com)

At 22, Lucas Jumalon went from a $22,945 career-best live cash to winning $10 million and the 2026 WSOP Main Event title. That's one hell of a jump.

The American claimed poker's biggest prize in August. Now he's swapping the winner's spotlight for finding the next prodigy and getting them ready for the 2027 WSOP Main Event.

From the Academy to the WSOP Main Event

The hunt begins November 13 at Dusk Till Dawn in Nottingham, UK. Jumalon will visit WSOP Circuit events around the world and host exclusive meet-up games for WSOP Academy customers. One player at each stop will win a seat to that venue's WSOP Circuit Main Event.

But there's a bigger prize waiting at the end. Jumalon will choose one of the meet-up winners to become his protégé and travel to Las Vegas for the 2027 $10,000 WSOP Main Event.

WSOP is sending a production team to document the trip, with the resulting series set to premiere on its official YouTube channel. Could this be the start of a new poker travel show? We'll have to wait and see.

WSOP academy home
Get started with WSOP Academy, work on your game, and follow the WSOP Circuit tour. You never know where it might lead.

Ready to Test Your Skills in Real Games? Start with Freerolls

Not everyone gets a world champion to show them the ropes. But every poker player has to start somewhere. Will it be the WSOP Academy app that gets you going, or maybe Chess.com's free poker platform, Gambit.com? Why not? The next step after learning the basics is to test your skills in real poker.

Freerolls offer a way to get tournament experience without paying a dime. You can practise making decisions under pressure, learn how tournament dynamics work, and compete for prizes without risking your own money.


Jumalon has already hit the poker jackpot. Your own journey might start with a freeroll.

More WSOP News

Load More

Upcoming Events

27 October 2026

Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition Poker Malta Poker Festival: Massive €3 Million Guarantee Highlighted for Autumn Series
European Mixed Poker Championship 2026 Poker Tallinn to Host Inaugural European Mixed Poker Championship 2026 this October
Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026 Poker Previewing the Battle of Malta October 2026: What to Expect This Autumn
PokerWired 2,000 Freebuy Poker PokerWired 2,000 Coins Freebuy at No Big Deal Poker
WPT Global Exclusive $150 GTD Poker PokerWired x WPT Global $150 GTD Freebuy: Thursday Bankroll Booster is Here!
Polish Poker Championship Poker WPT Global Opens $620 Route to Polish Poker Championship
Irish Open Marrakech 2026 Poker The Irish Open Heads for the Marrakech Sun With €500K on the Line
APT Championship Taipei 2026 Poker APT Championship Taipei 2026 Set for November at Asia Poker Arena
PokerStars Open Campione 2027 Poker PokerStars Open Campione Sets January 8-17 Return
Poker North Masters 2027 Poker Poker North Masters Returns to Bratislava With €1K Main Event and 12 Days of Action
Irish Poker Open Dublin 2027 Poker Irish Poker Open 2027: Dates, Schedule, Guarantees and Satellites

30 October 2026

WPT Seoul 2026 Poker WPT Global Opens $1.10 Qualification Path to WPT Seoul

Poker EventsStarts in

Malta Poker Festival Autumn Edition European Mixed Poker Championship 2026 Battle of Malta Autumn Edition 2026 PokerWired 2,000 Freebuy WPT Global Exclusive $150 GTD WPT Seoul 2026 Polish Poker Championship Irish Open Marrakech 2026 APT Championship Taipei 2026 PokerStars Open Campione 2027 Poker North Masters 2027 Irish Poker Open Dublin 2027

Latest News

See all