WSOP 2025: Day 22 Highlights

The 2025 World Series of Poker delivered another thrilling chapter on Day 22, with five new bracelet winners emerging from the intense action at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. From recreational players shocking the pros to established stars adding to their collections, June 17th showcased everything that makes the WSOP the ultimate proving ground in poker.

The Big Winners: Five Bracelets Find New Homes

Veerachai Vongxaiburana Conquers the Big O Elite

In perhaps the most surprising victory of the day, recreational player Veerachai Vongxaiburana captured Event #44: $10,000 Big O Championship, earning $784,353 and his first WSOP bracelet. The day trader, who plays poker only as a hobby, overcame a final table packed with elite talent including Viktor Blom, Shawn Rice, Marco Johnson, and runner-up Phil Hui.

Vongxaiburana’s triumph serves as a reminder that poker’s biggest stages can still be conquered by passion and determination, even against the most seasoned professionals. His victory in the $10,000 Big O Championship – one of the most complex poker variants – demonstrates that recreational players can compete at the highest levels when everything clicks.

Seth Davies Dominates Super High Roller Action

The marquee event of Day 22 belonged to Seth Davies, who claimed his first WSOP bracelet in spectacular fashion by winning Event #46: $250,000 Super High Roller for a staggering $4,752,551. Davies defeated Alex Foxen in the heads-up finale, denying the accomplished pro his fourth bracelet while securing his own place in poker history.

This massive score represents Davies’ second seven-figure victory in just one month, having collected $4,190,000 in a Triton Poker Super High Roller event in Montenegro during mid-May. His back-to-back million-dollar performances have established him as one of the hottest players on the high-stakes circuit.

Joey Couden Returns to Winner’s Circle

Event #45: $500 Salute to Warriors No-Limit Hold’em found its champion in Joey Couden, who earned $187,937 and his second WSOP bracelet. The victory comes seven years after Couden’s first bracelet triumph in 2018, adding him to the growing list of multiple bracelet winners at the 2025 WSOP.

Mixed Game Mastery for Jason Daly

Jason Daly showcased his mixed game prowess by taking down Event #47: $2,500 Omaha Hi-Lo/Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better for $244,674. The final table generated significant buzz as Phil Hellmuth made his latest run at an 18th bracelet, but the “Poker Brat” fell just short with a third-place finish. Daly ultimately prevailed over Kevin Choi in the heads-up battle to claim his first piece of WSOP hardware.

Tyler Patterson’s Breakthrough Moment

Rounding out the quintet of champions, Tyler Patterson captured Event #49: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em Freezeout for $574,223 – a career-best score for the California grinder. Patterson’s first bracelet victory in the fast-paced six-handed format demonstrates his ability to adapt and excel in poker’s most aggressive structures.

The One That Got Away: Monster Stack Extends to Day 5

Not everything went according to schedule on Day 22. Event #37: $1,500 Monster Stack, originally slated to crown its champion, ran longer than expected and will require an unscheduled fifth day. Seven players remain in contention, with David Uvaydov (102,000,000) holding the chip lead.

The extended final table features an intriguing mix of talent, including $25K Fantasy Draft selections Klemens Roiter (89,900,000) and Dylan Linde (85,500,000). With the eventual winner set to earn over $1.6 million, the extra day of play only adds to the mounting tension as these final seven battle for life-changing money.

Stars Positioning for Wednesday’s Action

Seniors Championship Draws Massive Field

The $1,000 Seniors Championship continued to build momentum with Day 1b attracting 4,210 entries, bringing the total field to 7,575 players across two starting flights. Canadian bracelet winner Mike Leah (657,000) positioned himself well for Day 2, alongside a stellar cast including three-time bracelet winner Xixiang Luo, legendary Billy Baxter, and former World Champion John Juanda.

High-Stakes Razz Reaching Its Climax

Event #50: $10,000 Razz Championship narrowed to just 12 survivors, with Ali Eslami (1,336,000) leading the charge toward what could be his second bracelet. The final table features seasoned specialists including Brian Yoon, Andrew Yeh, and high-stakes legend Brian Rast, setting up a compelling conclusion to one of poker’s most challenging formats.

Elite PLO Field Takes Shape

The $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha event attracted 370 entries, with 160 players surviving to Day 2. British star Talal Shakerchi (1,456,000) holds the chip lead in a field absolutely stacked with talent, including Dylan Smith, Jesse Lonis, Isaac Haxton, Alex Foxen, and Team PokerStars’ Jason Koon.

What’s Next: Day 23 Preview

Wednesday promises another action-packed slate with eight events in play and two bracelets to be awarded. The Monster Stack final table will finally reach its conclusion, while the Razz Championship will crown its champion among the dozen remaining specialists.

The bubble drama continues in the $1,500 Freezeout, where just ten eliminations separate the field from the money. With 354 players remaining and only 348 getting paid, the tension will be palpable as players fight to secure their minimum cash.

Three new events also launch on Day 23, headlined by the always-popular $1,500 Millionaire Maker – an event that consistently delivers massive fields and life-changing payouts. The $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed and the prestigious $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship round out the new offerings, with the latter expected to attract poker’s most well-rounded competitors.

The Road Ahead

With 22 days in the books, the 2025 WSOP continues to deliver the drama, excitement, and life-changing moments that have made it poker’s most prestigious series. From recreational players achieving their dreams to established stars adding to their legacies, every day brings new stories and new champions.

As we head into the heart of the series, the combination of massive fields, increasing buy-ins, and the world’s best players creates an environment where anything can happen. Whether you’re following the high-stakes action or rooting for the everyday players chasing their poker dreams, the WSOP continues to prove why it remains the ultimate destination for poker glory.

The bracelets keep coming, the stories keep unfolding, and the 2025 World Series of Poker marches on toward its exciting conclusion.