The 2025 World Series of Poker has officially hit its stride. Over the past seven days, fans have been treated to everything from legendary comebacks to tantalizing near-misses and history-in-the-making moments.
With bracelet chases heating up at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, here’s a complete breakdown of the stories that shaped this past week at the WSOP.
Brian Rast’s Gritty Comeback in the $10,000 Razz Championship
Brian Rast captured his seventh career WSOP bracelet in dramatic fashion during the $10,000 Razz event. Rast stared down elimination multiple times at the final table, but with tenacity and timely runouts, he flipped the script in a long heads-up battle against Andrew Yeh.
Rast rallied from a chip deficit and used savvy, patient play to finally secure the win, further cementing his legacy as one of poker’s most composed and technically sound players.
Top Payouts:
- 1st: Brian Rast – $306,644
- 2nd: Andrew Yeh – $204,423
What made Rast’s performance particularly striking was the level of emotional control and adaptability he maintained. For many players, coming back from the brink of busting is rare; Rast made it look like part of the plan.
Phil Ivey’s $25K PLO Run Signals Dangerous Form
Phil Ivey’s presence at the final table of the $25,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller quickly stole headlines. As one of poker’s living legends, Ivey entered Day 3 with a commanding chip stack and built serious momentum.
While he ultimately bowed out in sixth place, cashing $394,531, his strategic aggression and multi-street discipline reminded everyone why he’s one of the game’s all-time greats.
A few key confrontations—including a massive pot lost to Talal Shakerchi’s nut flush—halted Ivey’s bracelet pursuit, but his form looks sharp. After a relatively quiet first half of the series, his showing in this high-roller event hints that more deep runs may be coming in July.
Brian Rast Joins Rarefied Air with 7th Bracelet
Rast’s win not only netted him a six-figure score but also elevated him into a prestigious circle of seven-bracelet winners. With his victory in Razz, he matched icons like Men Nguyen and Billy Baxter.
His previous wins span a variety of formats—proving his elite versatility—and his steady presence at high-roller and mixed-game tables keeps him in the conversation as one of the most well-rounded players of his generation.
More importantly, Rast’s focus on decision-making over results gives insight into the mindset driving his continued success. He isn’t just playing to win bracelets—he’s playing to perfect his game.
GTO Wizard Preaching WSOP Success Habits
With WSOP pressure building, GTO Wizard released four major points of advice for serious grinders looking to gain an edge:
- Structured Study > Last-Minute Cramming
- Grinding GTO spots weeks in advance, rather than just the night before Day 1, offers a long-term edge.
- Use Nodelocking to Exploit Weak Fields
- Online practice using node locking helps mimic how most opponents deviate from optimal play.
- Practice ICM & Short-Stack Strategy
- Crucial for navigating bubbles, final tables, and marginal chip positions late in the day.
- Manage Sleep and Event Selection
- Don’t chase everything. Schedule your events in advance and plan time for rest and recovery.
Even pros with major resumes are taking these principles to heart, especially as the schedule enters a grueling stretch of high-roller, mixed-game, and massive-field no-limit hold ’em events.
Poker Hall of Fame Finalists Announced
This week also featured a major off-the-felt highlight: the announcement of the ten finalists for the 2025 Poker Hall of Fame class. Notable names include:
- First-time eligible players like Nick Schulman, Scott Seiver, and Phil Galfond
- Industry influencers like Matt Savage
- Poker legends such as Ted Forrest, Mike Matusow, and Kathy Liebert
- Foundational figures like Isai Scheinberg and “Miami” John Cernuto
Only one will be inducted this year, with the official ceremony set for July 11, followed by the $1,979 Poker Hall of Fame Bounty tournament.
What’s Coming Up: Eyes on High Stakes and Rising Tensions
The action shows no signs of slowing down since WSOP’s 2025 kickoff. With the calendar flipping into the second half of the event, more high-roller events—including another six-figure buy-in tournament—are set to wrap this weekend. Eyes will also be on the upcoming $50,000 Poker Players Championship, a true proving ground for mixed-game masters.
Phil Ivey’s recent form, Brian Rast’s momentum, and a motivated crop of mid-stakes crushers all point to fireworks ahead. Meanwhile, the Hall of Fame race and bracelet chases are tightening. Players are pushing through fatigue and variance as they aim to cement their place in poker history.
Wrapping the Week: Legends Rise, the Grind Intensifies
This past week showcased why the WSOP remains the pinnacle of tournament poker. Whether it’s a veteran like Brian Rast pulling off a gutsy comeback, Phil Ivey returning to form in a stacked $25K PLO field, or rising names chasing their first major score, this year’s Series is full of layered storylines.
The energy in Las Vegas right now is electric. With deep fields, iconic names, and meaningful stakes across every table, poker fans are getting a front-row seat to another classic summer of WSOP action. As the grind continues, expect more unforgettable showdowns and momentum-shifting hands that will shape the remainder of the 2025 World Series of Poker.
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