Essential Insights: 2025 WSOP’s Most Intriguing Players and Storylines
- Spotlight on Poker’s Elite: Get the latest on renowned competitors such as Shaun Deeb, Alex Foxen, and Kristen Foxen. Discover what makes their accomplishments stand out as the World Series of Poker begins.
- Rising Pros Ready to Break Through: Meet emerging talent like Xuan Liu, who continues to make history and builds momentum heading into this summer’s games.
- The Digital Poker Revolution: Learn how online platforms are transforming the series, with 30 exclusive online bracelet tournaments now allowing players in more U.S. states to chase poker glory.
- Top Online Contenders: Uncover the successes of virtual standouts like Corey Paggeot, Ari Engel, and Daniel Buzgon—players consistently rising to the top in internet-based events.
- Women Redefining the Game: See how stars like Kristen Foxen and Xuan Liu are helping reshape the landscape of competitive poker for 2025 and beyond with their significant triumphs.
The Excitement Returns: What to Expect from the 2025 WSOP
The 2025 World Series of Poker begins May 27 and continues until July 16 in Las Vegas, held at the bustling Horseshoe and Paris venues. Over 100 coveted gold bracelets will be handed out in live competition, and for those preferring the virtual felt, 30 more are available exclusively through online events. With streams airing across PokerGO all summer, the world gets a front-row seat to see who will capture poker’s most legendary prize—a WSOP bracelet.
As the cards are dealt and chips stack up, which players are drawing attention this year? Here’s a carefully curated look at competitors—seasoned champions, online juggernauts, and breakout stars—gearing up for headline-making performances.
Veteran Contenders with Championship Pedigree
Some of the most accomplished names in poker are once again in the hunt for gold, determined to add to their legendary legacies.
Daniel Negreanu: Back in the Winner’s Circle
After a 13-year stretch without snaring a bracelet, Daniel Negreanu triumphed in 2024’s $50,000 Poker Players Championship, claiming his seventh WSOP title and a $1.2 million prize. With two wins on the PokerGO Tour already this year, Negreanu has momentum on his side and brings an energy fans can track through his ever-popular YouTube vlogs.
Phil Hellmuth: The Pursuit of Bracelet #18
Phil Hellmuth remains one of the game’s most polarizing and accomplished competitors, holding a record 17 bracelets. Although he’s stepped back from playing the grueling $10,000 Main Event, Hellmuth continues to outperform in other tournaments. With a remarkable consistency—never going more than three years without a victory since 2012—he’ll be closely watched as he represents a new sponsorship and aims for another historic win.
Scott Seiver: Fresh off a Dominant Year
Scott Seiver’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of spectacular. With three new bracelets last season, he secured the coveted Player of the Year title and now sits with seven total. Six of those wins have come since 2018, showcasing his sustained excellence and competitive spirit.
Jeremy Ausmus: Relentlessly Chasing More Gold
Las Vegas pro Jeremy Ausmus has been a fixture at final tables the last few years, banking five of his six bracelets between 2021 and 2023. Though he didn’t win gold last summer, a runner-up finish in the $100,000 High Roller earned him $1.9 million, plus a slew of additional final table appearances. Ausmus remains a threat across both live and online formats this year.
Adrian Mateos: Spain’s Prodigy Eyes Another Title
Crowned Card Player’s Player of the Year for 2024, Spain’s Adrian Mateos boasts four WSOP bracelets and a staggering $54 million in lifetime live earnings. Always a contender, Mateos thrives on the biggest stage and is primed for another deep run.
Ambitious Players on the Cusp of WSOP Glory
While some have already found success in other circuits, these players are chasing their breakthrough WSOP bracelet or seeking to add crucial titles to their collection.
Darren Elias: WPT Legend Aims for WSOP Breakthrough
Darren Elias stands as the all-time World Poker Tour title leader with four championships but has yet to lock up a WSOP bracelet. Recent close calls suggest Elias could finally reach poker’s most prestigious winner’s circle this summer.
David Coleman: From Finance to Final Tables
David Coleman’s journey took him from the financial sector to the grind of online poker in New Jersey, and now to the upper echelons of high-stakes live play. After an impressive 2024—finishing second in Player of the Year points—Coleman remains determined for a maiden WSOP victory.
Alex Foxen: Proven Winner with His Best Yet to Come
Since securing his first bracelet in 2022, Alex Foxen has only strengthened his reputation by adding two more in 2024. Highlights include a $500 online victory and a monster win in the $100,000 Triton Main Event at WSOP Paradise for $3.9 million.
Kristen Foxen: Redefining Women’s Impact at the WSOP
Kristen Foxen had a breakout moment at last year’s WSOP Main Event, finishing 13th for $600,000 and reinforcing her reputation as a pivotal star. She now holds five bracelets (two live, three online) and remains the winningest woman in bracelet history, with high expectations for even more titles in 2025.
Brock Wilson: Hunting for His First Bracelet
High-roller specialist Brock Wilson has amassed impressive wins in 2024, including a $25,000 WPT Alpha8 victory for $571,400 at the Wynn followed closely by a $2,200 tournament win for $626,429. Yet, the quest for a WSOP bracelet continues.
Erik Seidel: Old School Skill in a New Era
Poker legend Erik Seidel proves experience prevails as he continues to adapt and thrive. Seidel captured his 10th WSOP bracelet in 2023, tying icons Johnny Chan and Doyle Brunson, and now sets his sights on equaling or besting Phil Ivey.
Xuan Liu: Making History for Women in Poker
In May, Canadian Xuan Liu broke new ground by becoming the first woman to claim a triumph at a high-stakes Triton Poker event, besting 154 other entrants for an $860,000 payday. With more frequent appearances in live-streamed cash games, Liu is on a hot streak and is a strong candidate for another historic WSOP result.
The Expanded WSOP Online Arena
This summer, 30 bracelet events are dedicated to online play, now with participants from Nevada, New Jersey, Michigan, and Pennsylvania able to compete head-to-head for the first time. The WSOP also introduced an Online Player of the Year award, boosting the stakes for digital warriors.
Noteworthy contenders making waves in online tournaments include:
- Corey Paggeot: Dominated online with five WSOP Circuit championship rings since 2022, establishing himself as a player to beat in virtual fields.
- Ari Engel: Holds four bracelets and 17 circuit rings, with an impressive tally of online victories—one bracelet and seven rings secured via internet events.
- Daniel Buzgon: This New Jersey stalwart has nine circuit championship rings, including seven earned in online contests, as well as numerous runner-up finishes.
Women’s Growing Legacy at the World Series of Poker
The 2025 series is poised for further milestones, with women’s representation and impact at an all-time high. Kristen Foxen and Xuan Liu headline a wave of female players regularly challenging deep into events, solidifying their positions as some of the game’s top athletes and helping to break new ground for future generations.
Conclusion: A Season of Unforgettable Moments Await
With new and familiar faces alike shaping headlines, the 2025 World Series of Poker is set for another chapter of drama, triumph, and history-making performances both at the tables and online. As the action at the Horseshoe, Paris, and across the digital tables unfolds, the search for gold, glory, and prestige continues—propelled by a lineup of the world’s best and boldest players.
