The excitement of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is building, and Day 3 at the iconic Horseshoe and Paris casinos in Las Vegas proved to be full of drama, surprises, and emerging storylines. As the world’s best poker talent and ambitious newcomers alike gathered together.
Fierce Competition in $5,000 NL Hold’em
In Event #3, the prestigious $5,000 8-Max No-Limit Hold’em event, several top players have put themselves in prime positions to chase bracelet glory. Antonio Galiana from Spain leads the final 25 with an impressive 3,615,000 chip stack. Not far behind is Greece’s Georgios Sotiropoulos, a seasoned competitor with 3,045,000 chips. Another notable contender is Michael ‘Texas Mike’ Moncek, who is positioned well (1,805,000 chips) to pursue his third bracelet in four years.
Renji Mao, who secured a WSOP bracelet in 2023, is also in contention with 2,045,000 chips, making him one of several serious challengers for the $582,008 top prize.
Norway’s Jon Kyte Flying High in Omaha Hi-Lo
Another major storyline developing is the quest of Norwegian poker star Jon Kyte for his first-ever WSOP bracelet. Kyte remains a dark horse in Event #4, the $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better tournament, sitting comfortably ninth in chips (1,010,000) out of the final 16 players. With the top prize set at a tempting $205,333, Kyte has both the skills and confidence, especially considering his demonstrated prowess in mixed-game formats.
The journey for Kyte wasn’t easy; Day 2 saw seasoned players such as Scott Seiver, Alex Livingston, and Mike ‘The Mouth’ Matusow fall by the wayside. With the stage set for a thrilling conclusion, all eyes will be on Kyte as he chases WSOP immortality.
Poker Legends Scrambling in $5K PLO
Meanwhile, in Event #5, the star-studded $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) event, legendary poker figures Daniel “Kid Poker” Negreanu and Phil “Poker Brat” Hellmuth are still hanging on, albeit by a thread. Negreanu’s Day 1 performance left him with a precarious 89,000 chips—just 11 big blinds—while Hellmuth scraped through with 148,000 chips.
At the top of the leaderboard, New Zealand’s Matthew Beck surged ahead with an impressive 1,320,000 chips, closely followed by American Michael Duek. With 757 entries creating a juicy $3,573,040 prize pool and a substantial $620,696 first-place payout, players will need nerves of steel to navigate the looming money bubble and beyond.
Negreanu, ever the showman, has sparked intrigue by attempting to simultaneously compete in the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship—a logistical feat sure to captivate fans as he maneuvers between tables. Whether he can manage this poker double act successfully remains one of the must-watch storylines of the series.
Frankie Cucchiara: The Ultimate Underdog Story
Speaking of the Heads-Up Championship, perhaps the most inspiring storyline is Frankie Cucchiara, a relatively unknown player stepping boldly into the $25K No-Limit Heads-Up Championship against a lineup overflowing with poker royalty. Despite his modest poker résumé—highlighted by his previous best cash just north of $50,000—Frankie C has garnered attention for having bested world-class players including Negreanu, Patrick Leonard, and even Doug Polk in private matches.
Could Frankie, the underdog with bite, defy all odds and claim victory in one of poker’s toughest formats? He’s already sold half his action with a competitive markup, displaying both humility and determination. Poker fans love a Cinderella story, and Frankie C has all the makings of becoming the feel-good tale of this year’s WSOP.
Phil Hellmuth’s Grand U-Turn
On the lighter side of things, poker’s ultimate character, Phil Hellmuth, predictably reversed his much-publicized boycott of the WSOP Main Event. Initially critical of the event’s lengthy structure, Hellmuth announced he’d skip his iconic entrance and the tournament itself. However, after polling fans—75% of whom demanded his presence—he relented and confirmed participation.
Hellmuth’s theatrical entrances and colorful table antics have become part of the Main Event’s folklore. Whether this year brings another unforgettable performance or another tirade of “Poker Brat” drama, poker enthusiasts everywhere are delighted by the news of his return.
Massive Fields and Big Prizes: Mystery Millions Excitement
Elsewhere, the $1,000-entry Mystery Millions continues to draw enormous crowds, with Day 1C alone attracting 2,995 entries, the largest single-day turnout yet in 2025. Brad Lasko secured the top chip count of 3.55 million chips on Day 1C, with previous bracelet winners Joshua Reichard and Valentino Konakchiev also well-placed to chase the elusive million-dollar bounties.
Stud and Dealer’s Choice Events Add Variety
Not to be overlooked, the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event has poker veteran Max Pescatori in a promising position among 69 survivors, all battling toward the coveted bracelet. Meanwhile, the versatile $1,500 Dealer’s Choice event kicks off soon, attracting mixed-game specialists eager for their moment in the spotlight.
Looking Forward
With just three days in the books, the 2025 WSOP has already delivered enough drama, big plays, and memorable moments to thrill any poker enthusiast. Yet, with so many prestigious events still to come—including the Heads-Up Championship, the Main Event, and high-stakes battles galore—it’s clear we’re just getting started.
GGPoker, the world’s largest poker room, remains your home for all things WSOP. Keep up to date right here as poker history continues to unfold. Whether you’re cheering for legends, supporting underdogs, or chasing fantasy league points, the 2025 WSOP promises to be one for the ages.
