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2025 WSOP Kicks Off: Champions, Upsets, and Triumphs in Las Vegas

What’s Making Headlines at the 2025 World Series of Poker

As the curtain rises on the first week of the 2025 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris casinos in Las Vegas, the poker world is already buzzing with remarkable achievements. England’s Benny Glaser claimed his sixth WSOP bracelet, while Daniel Negreanu proved yet again why he’s one of poker’s greats by making another deep run in a challenging Omaha Hi-Lo event. A combination of big moments, new champions, and the unpredictable drama of mystery bounties has already defined this year’s opening stretch.

Benny Glaser Adds to Poker Legacy in $1,500 Dealers Choice

Benny Glaser emerged as one of the early stars this year, capturing his sixth WSOP bracelet with a victory in the $1,500 Dealers Choice event, earning $150,246. Known for excelling in non-Texas Hold’em formats, Glaser’s victory came after an intense heads-up duel against Matthew Schreiber. The match was a true test of endurance, with Schreiber repeatedly managing to stay alive despite being on the brink of elimination several times. Glaser described the battle as both nerve-wracking and deeply satisfying, expressing gratitude for adding another bracelet to his name.

Other multiple-time bracelet winners also made their mark. Bruno Furth from the United States clinched his second bracelet and $620,696 in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, highlighting the growing appeal of PLO. In fact, the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament attracted more entries than the equally priced No-Limit Hold’em event, which was won by Spain’s Antonio Galiana for his second bracelet and a $582,008 prize.

Dan Heimiller also returned to the winner’s circle after a long hiatus, collecting his third career bracelet in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event. Heimiller, who previously triumphed in 2002 and 2014, attributed his success to sheer persistence and a love for the game.

The prestigious $25,000 Heads-Up Championship, restricted to just 64 entrants, again delivered the drama fans expect. Russia’s Artur Martirosian topped the elite field, securing his third bracelet and a $500,000 payout, finally claiming the title after a near miss in 2024.

Mystery Millions Delivers Three New Poker Millionaires

The crowd-pleasing $1,000 Mystery Millions event concluded with drama and life-changing payouts. Minneapolis software engineer Michael Wilklow outplayed the field and walked away with $1 million—an amount that dwarfed his previous tournament earnings by nearly a million dollars. The tournament’s unique random bounty feature has made it a fan favorite: two additional $1 million mystery bounties were also awarded through suspenseful draws.

Tyler Montoya experienced a career-defining moment by securing one of these bounties, instantly more than doubling his lifetime tournament earnings. Meanwhile, Arizona’s Thomas Zanot not only won a $1 million bounty, but added to his reputation for good fortune—having previously claimed a $6.4 million Pai Gow jackpot.

Daniel Negreanu’s Deep Run Lights Up Omaha Hi-Lo Championship

Fans and pros alike were riveted as Daniel Negreanu made another statement, reaching the final table in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. Entering Day 2 among the chip leaders and holding third place with just five players remaining, Negreanu was on the verge of another major WSOP achievement. Audiences tuned in to his online vlog for live insights and to PokerGO for a front-row seat to the high-stakes emotions.

Negreanu faced formidable competition at the final, including Viktor Blom, the renowned Swedish poker powerhouse known for his dominance both online and in live play. Negreanu offered viewers a candid perspective on the challenges and swings at the table, emphasizing just how intense the stakes can be against such talent.

Phil Hellmuth to Play Main Event After Public Vote

Seventeen-time bracelet holder Phil Hellmuth had poker fans guessing as to whether he would join the $10,000 Main Event—a tournament he famously conquered in 1989. Initially hinting at a boycott to protest the tournament’s lengthy structure, Hellmuth solicited public opinion via Twitter and ultimately decided to compete as scheduled. He expressed hope that his participation and feedback would inspire constructive changes at future WSOP events.

First Week Standouts and What’s Next

A host of other players also seized the opportunity to shine during the opening week. Southern California dealer Phovieng Keokham took down the $500 Industry Employees event, banking $64,369. Florida player David Shmuel captured his debut WSOP bracelet—and his best payday yet—with a $205,333 win in the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better. Shmuel shared heartfelt reflections about his love for the game, pointing to Omaha Hi-Lo as his introduction to poker and the format he enjoys most.

Upcoming events to keep your eye on as the WSOP rolls forward include:

– $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship on June 3
– $500 Colossus, commencing multiple flights on June 4
– $25,000 Six-Handed High Roller on June 5
– $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship on June 6
– $25,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller 8-Handed on June 7
– $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship on June 8
– $50,000 High Roller on June 9
– $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship on June 10

Many of these high-stakes clashes will be broadcast on PokerGO, providing fans with an inside look at the action.

The Big Picture: Trends and Impacts for 2025

The opening days of the 2025 World Series of Poker have already set the stage for an exciting summer. With new millionaires being minted, established pros like Glaser and Negreanu showcasing their enduring talents, and the drama of format diversity on full display, this year’s series promises a dynamic mixture of legacy and breakthrough performances. As the schedule continues, the poker world watches to see how these early results will shape the rankings and rivalries for the remainder of the season.