Highlights from WSOP Day 11

The 2025 World Series of Poker continues to showcase why it remains poker’s ultimate proving ground, and Day 11 delivered another masterclass in high-stakes drama. With four bracelets already awarded and several prestigious events reaching their climactic final tables, anticipation is building for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend.

High Roller Royalty: $25,000 6-Max Down to Elite 15

The crown jewel of Day 11’s action was undoubtedly Event #22: $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed, where just 15 warriors remain from the original field of 336 elite players. Leading the charge is Lithuania’s Paulius Vaitiekunas, who has transformed his 2023 online bracelet success into a commanding position to claim his first live WSOP gold.

Vaitiekunas sits atop the leaderboard with 7,050,000 chips, but breathing down his neck is the dangerous Jared Bleznick with 6,550,000. Bleznick’s presence at the top adds an extra layer of intrigue, as the American is seeking back-to-back WSOP titles after winning his maiden bracelet in Event #92: $50,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller for $2,037,947.

The supporting cast reads like a who’s who of international poker excellence. Israel’s Barak Wisbrod (5,190,000) and Austria’s Fabian Gumz (5,145,000) are within striking distance, while UK’s Chris Moorman (4,575,000) continues his quest for WSOP glory after years of online dominance. American rising star Landon Tice (3,705,000) and Italian veteran Mustapha Kanit (3,560,000) round out the top contenders.

The article mentioned Bleznick benefited from a massive cooler late in the day, which helped him coast through the final level and position himself strongly for the final table. With every remaining player guaranteed at least $87,971 and the winner set to claim $1,734,717, expect fireworks when play resumes.

Badugi Brilliance: Seven-Handed Showdown Set

While the High Roller grabbed headlines, Event #23: $1,500 Badugi provided its own compelling narrative. Brazil’s Aloisio Dourado emerged as the chip leader heading into Saturday’s final table, carrying 2,980,000 chips and the hopes of becoming the lone international champion among an otherwise all-American final seven.

Dourado’s poker pedigree runs deep – he finished runner-up to Shaun Deeb in the 2023 $1,500 8-Game and made a deep run to 53rd place in last year’s Main Event. Now he’s one day away from breaking through for his first bracelet, but the competition is fierce.

Former bracelet winners Dominick Sarle (2,525,000) and Matthew Schreiber (2,095,000) sit second and third respectively, bringing championship experience to the felt. The final table’s balanced nature, with no player holding a prohibitive chip advantage, sets up what could be one of the most competitive bracelet finales of the series.

Bomb Pot Madness: Stranak Leads Revolutionary Format

Innovation meets tradition in Event #24: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot, where Samuel Stranak has positioned himself as the man to beat. The Slovakian, who claimed a €2,000 PLO bracelet at the 2021 WSOP Europe, leads Day 2 with 783,000 chips in this groundbreaking format that’s capturing the imagination of recreational and professional players alike.

The bomb pot format, where players commit chips before seeing their cards on special hands, creates massive pots and unprecedented action. Stranak’s experience in PLO variants gives him a significant edge, but the field remains loaded with talent including former bracelet winner Robert Nehorayan (727,000) and defending champion Xixiang Luo, who won a similar event last year.

Notable names advancing include Nacho Barbero, David “ODB” Baker, and the legendary Michael Mizrachi, ensuring Day 2 will feature both explosive action and world-class play.

Stud Championship: Friedman’s Redemption Story

Few stories in poker are as compelling as a defending champion’s quest to repeat, but Adam Friedman’s journey in Event #25: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship adds layers of complexity. After a disappointing seventh-place finish in the Dealer’s Choice Championship, Friedman has bounced back emphatically, leading the Stud Championship with 420,000 chips.

Friedman’s 2022 victory in this very event makes him the man to beat, but the chase pack is formidable. Dan Heimiller (364,500), fresh off his victory in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud, could complete a remarkable double. Meanwhile, Daniel Negreanu (302,000) remains the only other player above 300,000 chips, bringing his considerable tournament experience to bear.

The field includes multiple former champions of this event, including 2021 winner Anthony Zinno, 2023 champion Brian Yoon, and defending champion James Obst. With 46 players remaining from the original 100-entry field, the tournament maintains its exclusive, championship-caliber atmosphere.

Colossus Continues to Grow

While the high-stakes action grabbed attention, Event #19: $500 COLOSSUS continues to build toward what could be the largest poker tournament field in history. Day 1c attracted a staggering 4,286 entries, bringing the total to over 10,000 players across the first three flights.

Spain’s Rafael Camno (1,733,000) leads the Day 1c survivors, but with one more starting flight remaining, the eventual field size could dwarf previous records. The tournament’s massive scale and tiny buy-in create a unique dynamic where poker dreams are both accessible and achievable for players of all backgrounds.

Weekend Warriors: What to Watch

Saturday promises to crown two new bracelet winners, with the $25,000 6-Max and $1,500 Badugi reaching their conclusions. The high roller final table features enough talent and chips to create multiple dramatic storylines, while the Badugi championship offers a chance for Dourado to become Brazil’s latest bracelet winner.

Meanwhile, the Stud Championship will continue its methodical march toward a Monday finale, with Friedman seeking to join the exclusive club of repeat champions in the same event. The PLO Bomb Pot tournament enters its crucial second day, where the innovative format will truly be put to the test at the business end of the tournament.

The Road Ahead

As we head into the weekend, the 2025 WSOP has already established itself as a series for the ages. The combination of traditional championship events, innovative new formats, and the massive scale of the Colossus creates something for every type of poker player.

With the tournament area packed and the action intensifying by the day, Day 11 proved once again why the World Series of Poker remains the ultimate destination for poker excellence. Whether you’re following the high-stakes drama of the $25,000 6-Max or cheering for your favorite in the Badugi championship, this weekend will deliver the kind of poker moments that define careers and create legends.

The stage is set, the chips are counted, and the cards are ready to fall. Saturday can’t come soon enough.