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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Mario Boos Opens Up Ahead of the 2026 WSOP Main Event Final Table
2026-07-31 - RICHARD Fabien
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In just a few hours, Mario Boos will take his seat among the final nine players in the world's most prestigious poker tournament. Before taking his shot at the coveted World Champion's bracelet, the Frenchman sat down with LivePoker for an exclusive interview.

The World Series of Poker has been creating legends for more than half a century. Every summer, thousands of players travel across the globe with the same dream: reaching the Main Event final table and adding their name to the history of the most prestigious tournament in poker. For the overwhelming majority, that dream ends long before the final cards are dealt. For Mario Boos, it has now become a reality.

After several exhausting days of competition, the French player fought his way into the final nine of a tournament that once again attracted several thousand entries. It is the kind of performance that changes not only a career, but also a status. In the space of just a few days, a player who had previously operated far from the spotlight became one of France's leading hopes on the international stage, carried by a wave of public support rarely seen in recent years.

Between two preparation sessions, just a few days before taking his seat under the bright lights of the televised table in Las Vegas, Mario Boos took the time to answer questions from LivePoker. Mental preparation, technical work with his team, pressure, public support, ambition and mindset: the Frenchman speaks with remarkable composure about a defining moment that could take his career into an entirely new dimension.

LivePoker: In just a few days, you will play the WSOP Main Event final table. How do you prepare for such an exceptional occasion?

Mario Boos: In the end, my preparation is fairly standard. I am working on the theoretical side, the mental side and my physical condition so that I can arrive in the best possible shape. There is nothing particularly extraordinary about the method, just a lot of discipline and hard work to make sure I am ready when the time comes.

LivePoker: Winamax announced that you will represent the brand during this final table. You are also working with Davidi Kitai, Adrien Delmas and a third person whose identity you would rather keep secret. How did this team come together?

Mario Boos: Davidi already had a piece of my action, so it was only natural for him to be part of the adventure. As for Adrien, we had several mutual friends. We both wanted to work together and everything came together very naturally. Regarding the third member of the team, you will find out who it is once the tournament is over. There is a good reason why I would rather not reveal anything today.

LivePoker: Has working with players of that level allowed you to approach this final table differently?

Mario Boos: We have worked a great deal, but obviously I am not going to go into the details. In truth, they have not tried to change my game. The main idea was to sharpen certain aspects and fine-tune the final adjustments so that I can arrive perfectly prepared on Monday.

LivePoker: Even so, have you discovered something that you were not using enough before?

Mario Boos: Yes, definitely. There is one very important element that we were almost doing instinctively, but that I was not exploiting enough. I now realise just how powerful it is. That said, it is one of those things I would rather keep to myself... at least until the tournament is over.

 

 

 

LivePoker: Since qualifying for the final table, you have received an enormous amount of support. From Winamax, of course, but also from your friends, family and poker fans.

Mario Boos: Yes, several friends are here with me in Las Vegas. Those who could not make the trip are supporting me from afar as well. At our age, many people have families or jobs, and it is difficult to travel to the other side of the world at only a few days' notice. But I really feel that everyone is behind me, and that means a lot.

LivePoker: Many athletes set themselves intermediate goals, such as a Top 5 finish or a place on the podium. Is that something you have done?

Mario Boos: No, because I think that would be a mistake. If I set myself a target such as finishing in the Top 3, I could unconsciously change the way I play in order to reach it. My only goal is to play my best poker. I know how to adapt my game depending on the situation, but I absolutely do not want to place any limits on myself.

LivePoker: How do you feel mentally, just a few days before what will be, whatever happens, the biggest final table of your career?

Mario Boos: Honestly, I do not feel any pressure at the moment. Maybe that will change on Sunday or Monday, but right now I feel very calm. I have played a lot of final tables during my career. Of course, none of them had $250,000 pay jumps, but the experience remains the same. I have already won tournaments after reaching a final table as a very short stack, and I have also been eliminated first after arriving as a huge chip leader. In poker, anything can happen.

 

 

LivePoker: French supporters have sent you an incredible number of messages over the past few days. What would you like to say to them before the final table?

Mario Boos: A huge thank you. I have received an unbelievable number of messages. Of course, I also have a great deal of support from Germany and Switzerland, but seeing so many French people behind me means a lot. Sometimes I almost feel guilty when it takes me so long to reply, simply because there have been so many messages. Representing France in the biggest poker tournament in the world is something truly extraordinary.

LivePoker: Have you had the opportunity to speak with former Main Event finalists and benefit from their experience?

Mario Boos: I have not really spoken with the former French Main Event finalists, but I have spent a lot of time with Hossein Ensan. We have known each other for a long time through Rozvadov. He is an incredibly kind person. He regularly checked in on me and asked how I was feeling. He really is an exceptional person.

LivePoker: Did the fact that you grew up in Germany help you build that connection with him?

Mario Boos: Certainly. I speak German just as naturally as French because I grew up on the other side of the border. However, I want to make one thing clear: I am French and I feel completely French. I simply lived in Germany for many years, which allowed me to build a lot of connections with German players. In fact, as soon as Hossein realised that I spoke German, we immediately hit it off.

 

 

LivePoker: Thank you, Mario, for taking the time to answer our questions. Everyone at LivePoker wishes you the very best for this historic final table.

Mario Boos: Thank you very much.

Follow the WSOP 2026 Main Event final table from August 3 to 5 by clicking HERE!

(Photo credit: poker.org)

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