GGPOKER

Back-to-Back Bracelets for Glaser as High-Stakes Drama Unfolds

Posted on June 6, 2025

Highlights from the WSOP Day 10 

The 2025 World Series of Poker continues to deliver breathtaking moments, and Day 10 proved no exception as British poker legend Benny Glaser achieved the seemingly impossible while multiple high-stakes events stretched into overtime. From sleep-deprived champions to nail-biting final tables, the action at Paris and Horseshoe Casino Las Vegas has poker fans on the edge of their seats.

Glaser Makes History with Back-to-Back Bracelets

In what can only be described as a masterclass in mental fortitude, Benny Glaser captured his seventh career WSOP bracelet by winning Event #15: $1,500 Mixed: Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better – just four days after claiming bracelet number six. This remarkable achievement makes Glaser one of only a handful of players in WSOP history to win back-to-back bracelets in the modern era, cementing his status as one of poker’s elite mixed-game specialists.

The victory came after another sleepless night for the Brit, though this time it wasn’t due to accommodation disasters but rather adrenaline and anticipation. “I was still feeling quite a bit of adrenaline and stress, and it was kind of hard to turn my brain off,” Glaser revealed. “There were various narratives or stories going on in my brain, like the potential of the story of back-to-back being an amazing thing.”

The final table proved to be a mental and physical test, with Glaser entering Day 4 trailing chip leader Travis Pearson by a significant margin. In a pivotal heads-up moment, Glaser rivered a full house against Pearson’s straight and extracted maximum value by moving all-in and getting called. That hand shifted momentum permanently in Glaser’s favor, and he never looked back, ultimately grinding down his opponent until a pair of kings in Limit Omaha 8 or Better sealed the victory.

With two bracelets already in hand and over 80 events remaining, speculation about a potential third – or even fourth – bracelet this summer is reaching fever pitch. When asked about the possibility of becoming the first player ever to win four bracelets in a single WSOP, Glaser’s response was cautiously optimistic: “Even at this point, it’s still very unlikely, but that would be an amazing target for sure. I’m going to first work on getting a third.”

Lou Garza Doubles Up with Second Career Bracelet

While Glaser grabbed headlines, Lou Garza quietly secured his second career bracelet in Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed. The victory showcases the depth of talent in mixed games at this year’s WSOP, with high-stakes players proving their versatility across multiple formats. Garza’s triumph in one of the series’ most prestigious mixed events adds another compelling storyline to what’s shaping up as a historic summer.

Three Remain in $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship

The $10,000 Dealer’s Choice 6-Handed Championship has provided some of the most strategic poker of the series, stretching into an unscheduled fourth day with just three players remaining. Ryan Hoenig has emerged as the chip leader with 4,995,000 chips, holding a commanding advantage over Dylan Smith (2,220,000) and Philip Sternheimer (1,910,000).

The elimination of 2007 bracelet winner Dario Alioto in fourth place was particularly significant, as it guaranteed a first-time bracelet winner will emerge from this elite field. Perhaps most notably absent from the final three is Adam Friedman, the three-time defending champion who was seeking his fourth consecutive title in this event – a feat that would have been unparalleled in WSOP history. Friedman’s seventh-place finish ends one of the most dominant championship runs in poker history.

The final three players are guaranteed $154,460, but they’ll be battling for the $354,444 first prize and the prestige of winning one of poker’s most skill-intensive tournaments. With each player bringing unique strengths to the table, Saturday’s conclusion promises to be a masterclass in mixed-game strategy.

Heads-Up Drama in $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em

One of the most compelling storylines heading into Saturday involves the heads-up battle in Event #17: $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em, where Scott Bohlman holds a slight chip advantage over Dusti Smith. The matchup carries significant implications beyond the $436,044 first prize.

For Bohlman, victory would mark his second bracelet, six years after his first. But Smith’s potential triumph carries even greater historical weight – she would become just the fourth woman to win an open bracelet event at the live felt this decade, joining Leo Margets, Kristen Foxen, and Vivian Saliba in an exclusive club.

The chip counts entering heads-up play are remarkably close, with Bohlman holding 23.5 million (39 big blinds) to Smith’s 20.5 million (34 big blinds). This tight margin virtually guarantees an epic battle, with both players having demonstrated the skill and composure needed to navigate a massive field and reach poker’s ultimate stage.

Star Power Shines in $25,000 High Roller

Event #22: $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em has attracted exactly what organizers hoped for – a field packed with poker’s biggest names and most accomplished players. With 272 entries matching last year’s total and late registration still open, the tournament is poised to break that record.

Leading the 72 survivors is Michael Gathy, hunting for his fourth WSOP bracelet with a commanding stack of 1,836,000 chips. The Belgian pro is closely followed by Aram Oganyan (1,800,000), while the top ten includes several marquee names that guarantee fireworks ahead.

Six-time bracelet winner Nick Schulman sits third in chips (1,519,000), while accomplished pros Seth Davies, Jared Bleznick, and Boris Kolev – winner of the final bracelet ever awarded at the Rio in 2021 – all remain in contention. The star-studded lineup ensures that Saturday’s Day 2 action will feature some of the highest-level poker of the entire series.

Record-Breaking Badugi Field Creates History

In a testament to the WSOP’s ability to grow niche games, Event #23: $1,500 Badugi attracted a record-breaking 534 entries, making it the largest Badugi tournament in WSOP history. The milestone achievement reflects the series’ commitment to showcasing poker’s diverse variants while providing opportunities for specialists to shine.

Ray Fishman leads the 98 survivors with 441,000 chips, ahead of Brian Tate (353,000) and Aloisio Dourado (348,000). The field includes numerous former bracelet winners, including Andrew Yeh, Dan Zack, Ryutaro Suzuki, and Ben Yu, though only 81 players will reach the money.

The elimination of former Badugi champions Michael Rodrigues and David Prociak ensures a new winner will be crowned, adding another layer of intrigue to what promises to be a fascinating final day.

Colossus Continues to Grow

The $500 Colossus remains one of the series’ most popular events, with the field surpassing 6,000 entries after just two of four starting flights. France’s Theo Rebour leads Day 1b survivors with 1,504,000 chips, while the field includes an impressive collection of accomplished professionals.

Four-time bracelet winner Jeff Madsen sits fifth in chips (1,250,000), joined by notable names including Jared Jaffee, Theo Jorgensen, Barry Shulman, Kathy Liebert, and Matt Glantz. The massive field size virtually guarantees a substantial prize pool and another memorable Colossus champion.

Looking Ahead: Saturday’s Spectacular Slate

Saturday promises to be one of the most action-packed days of the entire series, with four bracelet events scheduled to crown winners. The Shootout resumes at noon local time, followed by the three other events at 1 p.m. local time. Additionally, Day 2 action continues in both the $25,000 High Roller and the record-breaking Badugi event.

Two new bracelet events also launch Saturday, including the innovative Event #24: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot – a brand-new format featuring double board bomb pots every hand. This creative addition to the schedule reflects the WSOP’s ongoing evolution and willingness to experiment with exciting new formats.

The $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship also begins, representing the traditional side of poker’s spectrum. Last year’s champion James Obst will look to defend his title against what’s sure to be another elite field of stud specialists.

As the 2025 WSOP enters its second week, the combination of historic achievements, star-studded fields, and innovative formats continues to elevate poker’s premier event. With Benny Glaser’s remarkable run capturing worldwide attention and multiple high-stakes events reaching their climax, the stage is set for another unforgettable day of world-class poker action.

The question now isn’t just who will win the remaining bracelets, but whether we’re witnessing the beginning of one of the most dominant WSOP performances in modern history. With over 80 events still to come, the summer of 2025 may well be remembered as the year poker history was rewritten.