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Spanish star Adrian Mateos, a six-time WSOP bracelet winner with more than $70 million in live earnings, is enduring a rare rough patch at the 2026 Poker Masters. Despite his pedigree as one of the game’s top tournament players, he has been eliminated on the stone bubble in three of the first four events.
The misfortune began in Event #1: $10,500 No-Limit Hold’em, where Mateos moved all-in with pocket aces only to run into Craig Mason’s pocket nines. A nine on the flop sealed his fate, sending him out in 13th place right on the bubble.
He avoided a repeat in Event #2, finishing runner-up to Nicholas Palma after getting his chips in well with ace-nine against Palma’s dominated ace-six of hearts. A surprising seven-high straight on the board handed Palma the win, leaving Mateos with a $151,200 consolation prize.
The bubble struggles resumed in Event #3, where Mateos’ ace-king fell to Michael Rossitto’s suited jack-nine after Rossitto flopped two pair. Mateos was drawing dead by the turn, resulting in another 13th-place bubble finish.
Remarkably, the pattern continued into Event #4, where Mateos’ ace-seven of clubs lost to Chris Hunichen’s pocket nines on a queen-high board, marking his third bubble exit in four tournaments.
Mateos is expected to compete in Event #5: $10,500 No-Limit Hold’em on October 16, with PokerNews continuing live coverage as he looks to break the unwanted streak.
