The 2025 World Series of Poker is in full swing at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, and the first two weeks have delivered everything poker fans could ask for—massive prize pools, historic runs, and breakout stars.
With 100 bracelet events on the live schedule for the first time, this year’s WSOP is bigger and more competitive than ever before.
Here’s a look at the top storylines, key results, and major players dominating the headlines at the midpoint of poker’s biggest festival.
Lou Garza Steals the Spotlight With Stunning Comeback Win
One of the defining moments of the early WSOP came in Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed, where Lou Garza overcame a significant heads-up deficit to win his second career WSOP bracelet. Garza was down 4:1 in chips against Ben Lamb, one of the most dangerous players in high-stakes PLO, but flipped the momentum and never looked back.
Garza eliminated three of his final four opponents en route to a $1.3 million payday—his biggest live score to date. The win not only reaffirms his spot among the game’s rising stars but also places him firmly in the conversation as one of the most dangerous mixed-game threats on the field.
Adam Friedman Chasing History in Dealers Choice
Few players in WSOP history have owned a specific event the way Adam Friedman has dominated the $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship. The five-time bracelet winner has made the final table in this format five times in the last decade, including wins in 2018, 2019, and 2021. This year, he’s back again and among the final seven players remaining.
If Friedman captures the title once again, it would mark an unprecedented fourth victory in the same event—something no other WSOP player has ever accomplished. Even if he falls short, his repeated success in one of the Series’ most challenging formats is a legacy-defining achievement.
Benny Glaser Joins Elite Company With Bracelet No. 7
U.K. mixed-game specialist Benny Glaser continues to carve out his own space in poker history, winning his seventh WSOP bracelet in Event #15: $1,500 Mixed: PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better. The victory came just days after he took down the $1,500 Dealers Choice, making this his second title of the 2025 Series.
Glaser’s ability to go back-to-back in non-hold’em fields highlights his dominance in formats that many players still struggle to master. With this win, he joins an elite club of players who have captured seven or more WSOP titles and is now considered a strong contender for Player of the Year honors.
Ray Fishman Leads Historic Badugi Field
In a format that rarely makes headlines, Event #23: $1,500 Badugi shattered expectations by drawing a record 534 players, making it the largest Badugi event in WSOP history. Leading the pack heading into Day 2 is Ray Fishman, a young mixed-game regular from New York with a growing reputation and several deep runs already this summer.
With a top prize of $138,114 on the line and a field packed with accomplished names like George Wolff and Daniel Zack, Fishman is well-positioned to potentially win his first bracelet and solidify his standing as part of the next wave of elite mixed-game talent.
Gus Hansen Returns With Vintage Run in Dealers Choice
The return of Gus Hansen has been one of the feel-good stories of the summer. Known for his fearless, loose-aggressive style that defined an era of poker, Hansen made a deep run in the $10,000 Dealers Choice Championship, finishing in the money and reaching Day 3.
Hansen is playing a full slate of mixed-game events this year and has shown flashes of the style that once made him one of the most exciting players on the circuit. His return adds a layer of nostalgia to a Series increasingly dominated by new-school talent.
Tyler Montoya’s $1 Million Bounty Still Turning Heads
No moment has generated more buzz early in the Series than Tyler Montoya’s million-dollar mystery bounty pull in Event #1: Mystery Millions. It occurred early on Day 2 and was only the seventh envelope that had been opened.
Montoya, just 23 years old, now holds one of the most memorable single-handed payouts of the summer. The Mystery Millions event still has more high-value bounties in play, including another $1 million envelope, adding even more suspense for those who are still in the hunt.
Top Performers and Events Heating Up
The action hasn’t slowed since opening day, and several marquee names and tournaments are delivering fireworks:
- Ben Lamb, after nearly busting early in the $25K PLO/NLH event, rallied all the way to the final table and finished runner-up to Lou Garza. His performance added another big result to a career filled with deep WSOP runs.
- In Event #17: $2,000 NLHE, Dusti Smith leads the final 19 players after bagging a massive chip stack. Already securing her career-best WSOP result, she’s one to watch as she chases her first bracelet.
- The always-popular Colossus drew 3,378 entries on Day 1a, with Gulnara Taul bagging a monster stack. More flights are still to come, and another huge field is expected.
- The $1,500 Shootout saw big names like Josh Arieh, Qui Nguyen, and Eric Baldwin advance to Day 2. The format guarantees a new champion this year, as previous winners have already been eliminated.
Mixed Game Masterclass: Stars Lining Up in PLO8 and Dealer’s Choice
In addition to Friedman’s incredible run, Ryan Hoenig leads a stacked final day in the $10,000 Dealers Choice event. Familiar names like Daniel Zack, Dario Alioto, and Philip Sternheimer are also in contention.
Meanwhile, Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better features a loaded field going into Day 2. Canada’s Juan Lamprea holds the chip lead, but players like Bryce Yockey, Shaun Deeb, and Marco Johnson are lurking just behind. This field has all the makings of a classic deep-run showdown among top-tier pros.
What’s Next: High Rollers, New Variants, and Big Fields
The second half of the WSOP is shaping up to be even busier:
- The $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed is now underway, bringing together some of the most skilled players in the world, including defending champion Brek Schutten.
- With early events setting records, expect high turnout for more mid-stakes buy-ins like the Millionaire Maker, Monster Stack, and $800 Ultra Stack.
Niche formats like Badugi and Triple Draw Lowball are also seeing an uptick in popularity, proving the WSOP continues to evolve and attract specialists from all corners of the poker world.
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