The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is officially underway in Las Vegas, and poker fans from around the globe are tuning in as the world’s most prestigious poker festival returns for its 56th edition. Running from Tuesday, May 27, through Wednesday, July 16, the WSOP once again takes place at Horseshoe Las Vegas and Paris Las Vegas, continuing its fourth consecutive year on the iconic Las Vegas Strip.
This year’s Series is historic, stacked, and already eventful. With 100 bracelet events on the live schedule for the first time ever, the action will be nonstop for nearly two months, offering everything from high-stakes drama to $300 buy-in recreational events.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro, an ambitious amateur, or just a poker fan who loves to follow the storylines, there’s a lot to keep track of this summer. Here are the biggest headlines and storylines heading into the 2025 WSOP.
WSOP 2025: Dates, Venue & What’s New
The WSOP kicked off on May 27 and will conclude on July 16, headlined—as always—by the $10,000 No-Limit Hold ’em Main Event, which begins with four starting flights starting July 2. The final table will take place on July 15-16 at the Horseshoe Events Center, where the 2025 World Champion will be crowned.
A record-setting 100 live bracelet events are scheduled for this summer, with buy-ins ranging from $300 to $250,000. That’s not including the WSOP Online events, which also award bracelets.
From returning favorites like the Colossus, Seniors Championship, and Millionaire Maker to new additions such as Battle of the Ages and the T.O.R.S.E. Championship, the WSOP continues to evolve and cater to a wider variety of players and formats.
Tyler Montoya Pulls $1 Million Bounty in Record Time
The 2025 WSOP couldn’t have started with more excitement. In Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions, 23-year-old Tyler Montoya shocked the room by pulling the $1 million mystery bounty envelope just moments into Day 2 of the event. It was only the seventh bounty envelope pulled that day, making it one of the fastest top-prize hits in mystery bounty history.
Montoya, a Nevada native with nearly half a million in career live earnings before the win, instantly joined the WSOP millionaire club before even finishing the tournament.
While Montoya’s bounty was the biggest so far, there’s still a second $1 million envelope, a $500,000 prize, and multiple six-figure bounties waiting to be claimed in this already-iconic event.
Phil Hellmuth Will Play the Main Event After All
One of the biggest question marks entering the 2025 WSOP was whether Phil Hellmuth, the most decorated player in WSOP history, would compete in the Main Event. Back in February, Hellmuth stated that he wouldn’t be entering this year due to the physical toll of the tournament’s long hours, calling the seven-day grind “exhausting.”
But in true Hellmuth fashion, he threw a curveball just before the Series began. Posting a Twitter (X) poll and letting his fans vote, the 17-time bracelet winner promised to honor the result. Over 75% of respondents voted YES, and Hellmuth has now confirmed he will indeed play the 2025 Main Event.
“WSOP, baby, a millionaire at 23. Let’s go,” Hellmuth said, hyping his eventual return while continuing to lobby for schedule structure changes to ease the grind for aging players.
Events to Watch: Premier Highlights on the Schedule
While all 100 bracelet events carry weight, several tournaments stand out this summer for their popularity, size, or uniqueness. Here are just a few marquee events poker fans should have on their radar:
- Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions – Already delivered fireworks with Montoya’s $1M bounty.
- Event #19: $500 Colossus – Known for drawing tens of thousands of players with its low buy-in, high-excitement structure.
- Event #38: $100,000 High Roller – A favorite for elite pros and deep-pocketed enthusiasts.
- Event #66: $50,000 Poker Players Championship – Arguably the most prestigious mixed-game event of the year.
- Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event – The crown jewel of the summer, kicking off July 2.
- Event #100: $1,000 Super Turbo – The last bracelet to be awarded on July 16, wrapping up the Series in rapid-fire fashion.
Track the Action in Real Time with WSOP+
New in 2025 is the WSOP+ app, designed to make following the action smoother than ever. Originally debuted during the WSOP Paradise festival, this mobile app allows users to track events in real-time, view chip counts, follow favorite players, and even track action from players they’ve bought stakes in via platforms like PokerStake.
“The WSOP+ app is a game changer,” said a GGPoker ambassador. And for fans or backers of players, it’s a must-have for staying engaged with what’s happening on the felt.
The Road Ahead: Who Will Build a Legacy in 2025?
WSOP organizers, now backed by GGPoker, are expecting another record-setting year in terms of both prize pools and entries. Last year saw explosive numbers across the board, and with new events and expanded access through satellites and online qualifiers, the 2025 Series could break more records.
WSOP CEO Ty Stewart emphasized the team’s commitment to continuous improvement:
“Each year allows us to refine further and improve the WSOP offering, and 2025 will be no exception… Expect the biggest poker events on the planet, the best action, and the most intense competition.”
Meanwhile, Caesars Entertainment Senior VP Jack Effel reflected on the game’s lasting allure:
“We are excited to see who will expand their legacy or become a new legend by passing poker’s ultimate test in the game’s most iconic arena.”
Final Thoughts: Buckle Up for the Ride
The 2025 WSOP is already living up to its billing, with major wins, comeback stories, and dramatic returns playing out before the Main Event even begins. Whether you’re heading to Las Vegas to take a shot, railing a friend, or following the storylines from home, there’s no denying it: poker’s biggest stage is back, and it’s buzzing with energy.
From Hellmuth’s fan-fueled return to Montoya’s million-dollar moment, the early highlights of this year’s Series prove one thing: you can’t script the WSOP.
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