WSOP 2025 Day 2: First Bracelet Crowned as Vegas Shifts Into High Gear
The 56th annual World Series of Poker hit its stride on Day 2, delivering everything fans could want from poker’s biggest stage: the first golden bracelet of the summer, massive fields filled with superstars, and enough drama to keep the rail buzzing well into the Nevada night.
“Mr. Min-Cash” No More: Keokham Claims First Bracelet
When the final card fell in Event #2, the $500 Industry Employees tournament, it wasn’t a seasoned pro or online crusher holding all the chips – it was exactly who the event was designed to celebrate. Phovieng Keokham, a dealer from Southern California with over 25 years in the industry, captured his first WSOP bracelet and a career-high $64,369 payday.
“I’ve been in the industry for over 25 years,” Keokham told reporters as the celebration continued around him. “I play the series every year for 20+ years but this is my biggest cash. ‘Mr Min-Cash’, they call me!”
Well, not anymore. Keokham’s journey to bracelet glory wasn’t without its dramatic moments. In a crucial three-way hand, he made two pair on the river to eliminate Shaun “The Dealer” Colquhoun’s top pair, seizing a commanding chip lead heading into heads-up play. The final confrontation against Christopher Zollo – who had initially registered under the colorful alias “SuckMe69” before tournament officials intervened – ended when Keokham’s ace-queen held against Zollo’s nine-six. A nine on the flop gave Zollo the lead, but a queen on the turn followed by a 2 on the river, sealed the deal.
The tournament drew 914 entries, creating a $402,617 prize pool that rewarded the top 138 finishers.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Phovieng Keokham | United States | $64,369 |
| 2 | Christopher Zollo | United States | $42,886 |
| 3 | Shaun Colquhoun | United States | $29,850 |
| 4 | Michael Coombs | United States | $21,126 |
| 5 | Mark Kawamoto | United States | $15,207 |
| 6 | Pedro Green | Dominican Republic | $11,138 |
| 7 | Connor Richards | United States | $8,301 |
| 8 | Rick Muniz | United States | $6,299 |
| 9 | Francois Truong | United States | $4,867 |
| 10 | Jordan Russell | United States | $3,074 |
High-Stakes Action: Stars Shine in $5,000 Eight-Max
While the Industry Employees event celebrated poker’s unsung heroes, Event #3 – the $5,000 Eight-Handed No-Limit Hold’em – showcased the game’s elite. With 558 entries creating a massive $2.6 million prize pool, the tournament attracted a who’s who of international poker talent.
Jake Schwartz emerged as the Day 1 chip leader with 538,000 chips, equivalent to a commanding 215 big blinds. The American pro, who boasts $4.7 million in live tournament earnings but still seeks his first WSOP bracelet, positioned himself perfectly for a deep run in one of the summer’s most prestigious events.
But Schwartz wasn’t alone at the top. Hong Kong’s Nicholas Go (492,500) and France’s Thomas Cazayous (462,000) also bagged impressive stacks, setting up what promises to be an explosive Day 2. Perhaps most intriguingly, Victoria Livschitz – CEO of Octopi Poker and one of the circuit’s most consistent high-roller performers – secured a top-10 position with 346,000 chips. The Ukraine-born Montana resident has nearly $2.4 million in live cashes but, like Schwartz, is still hunting for that elusive first bracelet.
The star power runs deep throughout the field. Established champions like Mustapha Kanit (244,000), Christopher Brewer (197,000), and Toby Lewis (183,500) all advanced, while respected pros Patrick Leonard (145,000), Jeremy Ausmus (110,000), and Chance Kornuth (91,000) remain very much in contention despite smaller stacks.
Not everyone survived the Day 1 gauntlet. Notable casualties included Viktor Blom, Erik Seidel, Nick Schulman, Landon Tice, Chris Moorman, and Niall Farrell – a reminder that in tournament poker, reputation means nothing once the cards are in the air.
Mystery Millions Mania Continues
The $1,000 Mystery Millions juggernaut rolled on with Day 1b, attracting another 1,833 hopefuls chasing those life-changing mystery bounties worth up to $1,000,000. When the dust settled, only 85 survivors remained, led by Veerachai Vongxaiburana’s towering stack of 2,975,000 chips.
The leaderboard reads like a greatest hits collection of poker talent. Two-time bracelet winner Jason Dewitt (2,000,000) sits in second, while the fascinating story of Didier Guerin continues to unfold. The Australian businessman didn’t just pay $25,000 to own Team Australia in the Fantasy Draft – he put his money where his mouth is by drafting himself for a bargain $1. His 1,495,000-chip haul suggests that investment is already paying dividends.
Perhaps most intriguingly, defending WSOP Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo barely scraped through with just 200,000 chips. The pressure of carrying the title is evident, but Tamayo has proven he knows how to navigate massive fields when it matters most.
Other notables advancing include former champions Martin Zamani (1,075,000), William Kopp (955,000), and AP Garza (820,000), ensuring Day 2 will be packed with storylines.
Split-Pot Specialists Take Center Stage
Event #4, the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, launched the summer’s mixed-game action with 910 entries and $205,333 awaiting the eventual champion. David Shmuel grabbed the overnight chip lead with 249,000, but Norway’s Jon Kyte lurks just 2,000 chips behind – a microscopic margin in split-pot games.
Kyte brings serious momentum after finishing second in last year’s $2,500 Omaha 8/Stud 8 mixed event and capturing a €340,000 victory in Monte Carlo just last month. His comfort in these variants could prove decisive as the field narrows.
The mixed-game specialists are out in force. Mike “The Mouth” Matusow (172,000), online legend Denis Strebkov (161,000), popular streamer Brad Owen (154,000), and “Big Huni” Chris Hunichen (141,000) all advanced comfortably. Scott Seiver, the reigning WSOP Player of the Year, survived but with just 50,000 chips after his pocket kings were cracked in a brutal late-night cooler.
The Stories That Keep Us Watching
Beyond the chips and cards, Day 2 delivered the human drama that makes the WSOP special. Phil Hellmuth, poker’s greatest showman, finally ended weeks of speculation by confirming he will indeed play the Main Event despite his earlier poll suggesting a boycott. The 60-year-old legend is planning a “Highway to Hellmuth” 1980s rock-themed entrance, with his sponsor potentially giving away a Ford Mustang. After missing the Main Event only once since 1988, Hellmuth’s return ensures another chapter in his legendary WSOP story.
Looking Ahead: Can’t-Miss Action
Day 3 promises even more excitement with five events in action. The $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha makes its 2025 debut at noon, with defending champion Bryce Yockey likely in the field. The first Stud event, a $500 Seven Card Stud tournament, begins at 2 PM (UTC-7), with 2024 champion Richard “Chufty” Ashby potentially defending his title.
Meanwhile, late registration remains open for the $5,000 Eight-Max until the end of Level 12, giving aspiring champions one last chance to join the action.
As we settle in for what promises to be an epic summer, one thing is clear: the 2025 WSOP is already delivering on its promise of world-class competition, unforgettable moments, and the kind of poker drama that only Las Vegas can provide. With 99 bracelets still up for grabs, the best is yet to come.
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