Day 20 WSOP Recap

The 2025 World Series of Poker’s third week reached its crescendo on Day 20, delivering the kind of high-stakes drama and compelling storylines that make the WSOP the most prestigious poker series in the world. With eight events in action and no crowns awarded, Sunday set the stage for what promises to be an electrifying Monday as several tournaments approach their climactic moments.

Kabrhel Takes Command of Quarter-Million Dollar Battle

In what has become a familiar sight this summer, Martin Kabrhel has positioned himself at the center of attention once again. The Czech professional leads the field in Event #46: $250,000 Super High Roller after Day 1, bagging an impressive 4,265,000 chips—nearly three starting stacks worth of ammunition heading into Day 2.

Kabrhel’s dominance in the Super High Roller comes as no surprise to those following his controversial yet undeniably successful WSOP campaign. Despite facing cheating allegations following his third-place finish in this very event back in 2023, Kabrhel has continued to generate results at poker’s highest level.

The $250,000 Super High Roller attracted 46 elite players on Day 1, with 38 survivors advancing to Monday’s action. Late registration remains open for the first two levels of Day 2, meaning the field could grow further as more high-stakes specialists take their shot at poker immortality.

Among the notable names joining Kabrhel in the hunt are Ben Tollerene (3,505,000), sitting in second place, followed by Portugal’s Joao Vieira (3,155,000) and Bulgaria’s Alex Kulev (2,975,000). The lineup reads like a who’s who of high-stakes poker, featuring Isaac Haxton, Taylor von Kriegenbergh, and Super High Roller newcomer Jesse Lonis, all carrying substantial stacks into Day 2.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Daniel Negreanu has secured another deep run, fresh off his third final table appearance of the summer. The poker legend, alongside reigning champion Santhosh Suvarna and rising star Kristen Foxen, will look to challenge Kabrhel’s commanding lead when play resumes.

Blom Hunting First Bracelet in Big O Championship

Viktor Blom’s remarkable summer continues as the Swedish sensation sits third in chips in Event #44: $10,000 Big O Championship with 1,570,000. Already boasting three deep runs this summer, including a heartbreaking runner-up finish in the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship, Blom is perfectly positioned to finally capture his elusive first WSOP bracelet.

After Day 1 concluded with Matthew Woodward leading the field, Day 2 action has reshaped the leaderboard significantly. The 402-player field has been whittled down to just 26 survivors, with American players Veerachai Vongxaiburana (2,330,000) and former PPC champion Phil Hui (1,970,000) now holding the top two spots heading into the penultimate day. However, with Erik Seidel, Matthew Woodward, and Justin Liberto also in contention, the final day promises to be a masterclass in Five Card PLO Hi-Lo strategy.

The remaining players have already secured $24,635, but all eyes are on the $784,353 first-place prize that awaits the champion. For Blom, who has proven his versatility across multiple poker formats this summer, Monday’s penultimate day could be the breakthrough moment he’s been seeking.

Wheeler Headlines Monster Stack Survivors

The massive Event #37: $1,500 Monster Stack lived up to its name once again, with 3,217 players taking their seats for Day 2. By evening’s end, only 464 survivors remained, each guaranteed at least the $3,018 min-cash but with their sights set firmly on the $1,204,457 winner’s prize.

Leading the charge is Jessie Bryant (3,815,000), a player with over $1.2 million in live tournament earnings who is hunting his first WSOP bracelet. However, the story of the day belonged to Jason Wheeler, who bagged 2,950,000 chips to finish eighth in the counts. Fresh off his sixth-place finish in the Shootout event, Wheeler has established himself as one of the most consistent performers of this year’s series.

The Monster Stack’s appeal lies in its accessibility—the $1,500 buy-in attracts both recreational players and seasoned professionals, creating a dynamic field where anyone can make a run. Other notable survivors include Gershon Distenfeld, Dylan Linde, and Andrew Moreno, all carrying competitive stacks into Day 3.

Veterans Honored in Salute to Warriors

Sunday’s action wasn’t just about prize money and bracelets—it was also about giving back. Event #45: $500 Salute to Warriors brought together recreational and professional players for a worthy cause, with $40 from every buy-in benefiting the United Service Organizations (USO) and other veteran-supporting charities.

The event drew an impressive 3,937 entries, with 625 players advancing to Day 2. Leading the survivors is Ofer Saha (1,145,000), but the real winners are the military veterans who made deep runs while supporting their fellow service members.

Notable veteran survivors include Glenn Stout, who served in Germany during the first Gulf War, Vietnam War Special Forces veteran Joseph Reyes, and Marines veteran Earnest Holthusen. Their presence adds emotional weight to an already meaningful event, reminding everyone that poker can be a force for good beyond the felt.

Kerbel Conquers Mixed Game Specialists

Mixed game aficionados had their moment to shine in Event #47: $2,500 Mixed Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, which smashed attendance records with 575 entries—beating last year’s mark of 507 players.

Jay Kerbel emerged as the Day 1 chip leader with 332,000, nearly tenfold his starting stack. The mixed game specialist, who remarkably hasn’t recorded a single hold’em cash since beginning his career in 2008, enters Day 2 with over 40 big bets and a commanding position.

Kerbel is chasing his fourth cash of the summer, proving that specialization can be just as valuable as versatility in WSOP success. Other bracelet winners in contention include Jim Collopy, Qiang Xu, Jason Daly, and Elie Nakache, ensuring that Day 2 will feature world-class mixed game action.

Monday’s Massive Slate

Day 21 promises to be one of the busiest in WSOP history, with eight events in action but no winners crowned. The day begins early with the first starting flight of Event #48: $3,000 Seniors Championship at 10 a.m., joined by the inaugural flights of Event #49: $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em and Event #50: $10,000 Razz Championship.

The Salute to Warriors will play down to approximately two tables, while both the $250,000 Super High Roller and Mixed Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo events continue their Day 2 action. The Monster Stack rumbles toward Wednesday’s conclusion with Day 3, and the Big O Championship reaches its penultimate day with 26 players remaining.

Looking Ahead: Championship Week Intensity

As the WSOP enters its third week, the stakes continue to escalate. The $250,000 Super High Roller represents the single largest buy-in event of the summer, while multiple championship events are building toward their dramatic conclusions.

For players like Kabrhel, Blom, and Wheeler, Monday offers the chance to add their names to poker history. The Super High Roller alone could produce a seven-figure score, while the Big O Championship represents Blom’s best opportunity yet to claim his first bracelet.

The beauty of Day 20 lay in its diversity—from the high-stakes drama of the Super High Roller to the charitable spirit of the Salute to Warriors, from the accessibility of the Monster Stack to the technical expertise required in mixed games. Each event tells its own story while contributing to the larger WSOP narrative.

As we head into Monday’s action, one thing is certain: the 2025 WSOP continues to deliver the kind of compelling poker that has made it the world’s most prestigious tournament series. With multiple championships hanging in the balance and millions of dollars at stake, Day 21 promises to be unforgettable.

Whether you’re following the high-stakes battles or cheering for the veterans giving back to their community, the WSOP remains poker’s ultimate proving ground—where legends are made, dreams are realized, and the game’s greatest stories continue to unfold.