Playing the Main Event of the World Series of Poker is much more than sitting down with 60,000 chips and paying a $10,000 buy-in. For many, it represents a true annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas, and that is precisely the idea explored in “The Pilgrimage,” the first episode of 888poker’s new documentary series about the WSOP 2026.
The production follows five representatives from the room: Aaron Barone
The premiere mainly serves as an introduction to the protagonists and their different relationships with the World Series. Navarro, for example, reached her tenth consecutive season traveling to Las Vegas this year. Her first experience was in 2016, when she promised herself to play the Main Event if she achieved good results at the cash tables. She kept the promise and has not missed it since.
For Brazilian Saliba, on the other hand, the focus is on maturity. Without a rigid schedule for this summer, she decided to play according to her feelings and take advantage of the experience gained after several final tables at the WSOP. “I’m excited, but not too much, and I like where my mind is now,” she explains.
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Barone also acknowledges how his perception of the tournament has changed. He debuted only in 2023 and now says he can no longer imagine a year without playing the Main Event.
Simpson adds another dimension: life away from home. The Brit admits that he previously found it hard to be away from his wife and daughter for weeks, although over time he learned to better manage that part of the professional circuit.
The result is a first chapter, for now, away from bad beats, hero calls, and dramatic eliminations. The bet is to show what happens before the cards are dealt.
The series will have six episodes, with a new chapter scheduled every Saturday. Because getting to Las Vegas is just the beginning. Then comes the hard part: surviving the Main Event.
