GGPOKER

Highlights from the WSOP 2025 Day 7

The 56th World Series of Poker (WSOP) continues to exceed expectations. Day 7 delivered everything fans could ask for: dramatic final tables, record-breaking fields, and storylines that will define this summer’s championship. With attendance up nearly 5% over last year despite pre-series concerns, the action at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas has been nothing short of spectacular.

Bracelets Awarded: Million-Dollar Dreams Realized

Day 7 crowned two new WSOP champions, each capturing life-changing victories that showcase the dream-making power of poker’s biggest stage.

Michael Wilklow etched his name in WSOP history by conquering the massive field in Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions, earning a cool $1 million for his efforts. In a dramatic heads-up finale, Wilklow denied Costa Rica’s Michael Acevedo what would have been his first piece of WSOP hardware. While Acevedo walked away without a bracelet, his runner-up finish was worth $563,350.

The Mystery Millions format proved its appeal once again, combining traditional tournament poker with the excitement of unknown bounty values. Wilklow’s victory represents the perfect marriage of skill and luck that makes poker’s biggest stage so compelling.

Meanwhile, Kenneth Kim dominated one of the week’s largest fields to claim Event #10: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack. From an enormous starting field of 6,090 players, Kim emerged victorious to earn $318,842 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Negreanu’s Historic Chase: Eighth Bracelet Within Reach

The story dominating headlines heading into Day 8 centers on poker legend Daniel Negreanu and his pursuit of WSOP bracelet number 8. Currently sitting third in chips among the final five players in Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship, “Kid Poker” is one step away from his eighth bracelet – a number that would put him seventh on the all-time bracelet list, just one behind the legendary Johnny Moss.

With 3,205,000 chips, Negreanu trails chip leader Viktor Blom (4,020,000) and Ryan Bambrick (3,250,000). The Canadian superstar broke an 11-year bracelet drought last summer with his victory in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship, and now he’s positioned to capture gold in back-to-back years.

“I feel like this is a really good opportunity to close,” Negreanu said after bagging chips. “When you’re in the moment, don’t be thinking about the next one. It’s like, this is it, do this, win this.”

The final table showdown promises fireworks, especially with Blom still seeking his first WSOP bracelet despite over $5.8 million in career earnings. The Swedish high-stakes specialist has been shadowing Negreanu throughout the tournament, setting up what could be an epic heads-up battle between two of the game’s most recognizable faces.

Adding extra intrigue, Negreanu drafted himself for $108 in this year’s $25K Fantasy – over half his total budget. A victory woulda validate his confidence in spectacular fashion while padding his Player of the Year campaign.

High-Stakes Drama: Chidwick Commands $25K Mixed Game

In the poker world’s most prestigious mixed game event, Stephen Chidwick has positioned himself as the overwhelming favorite in Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed. The British superstar bagged a commanding 1,136,000 chips – the only seven-figure stack among 70 Day 2 survivors.

Chidwick’s path to the top included a crucial double-through against Jesse Lonis before building steadily throughout the day. With two WSOP bracelets already in his collection, the world-class pro is hunting for number three in an event that reads like a who’s who of poker royalty.

Jared Bleznick (975,000) sits second in chips, followed by a formidable lineup including Corel Theuma (894,000), Shaun Deeb (893,000), and Laszlo Bujtas (808,000). Other notable players, like Ben Tollerene, Dan Shak, Jeremy Ausmus, and Erik Seidel, have also advanced, while Phil Ivey’s early exit continues his uncharacteristic struggle to find the money at this year’s series.

Million-Dollar Mystery: Final Five Chase Bounty Gold

Event #11: $10,000 Mystery Bounty has reached its thrilling conclusion with five players remaining and a massive $250,000 bounty still in play. James Mendoza (10,620,000) holds a commanding chip lead heading into the final day, giving him the best position to claim both the bracelet and potentially that quarter-million bounty prize.

The format’s unique excitement stems from not knowing what bounties are attached to which opponent, adding an extra layer of strategy and anticipation to every elimination. With Alejandro Peinado (6,900,000), Yosef Fox (4,700,000), Richard Green (4,600,000), and Patrick Kennedy (4,250,000) all capable of making a run, Tuesday’s finale promises edge-of-your-seat action.

Record-Breakers and Chip Leaders

The week’s statistical standout came in Event #15: $1,500 Mixed Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, which set a new attendance record for the format with 1,239 entries – a near 50% increase over last year. Australia’s James Obst (481,500) leads the 264 Day 2 survivors, with household names like Sammy Farha, David Prociak, and Scott Clements all making the cut.

Meanwhile, Event #12: $1,500 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw sees Han Liu maintaining his wire-to-wire chip lead through two days of play. The American pro’s 4,050,000 stack puts him in pole position to complete a start-to-finish victory, though five-time bracelet winner Brian Yoon (1,425,000) lurks dangerously in the background with 57 big blinds.

Looking Ahead: Day 8 Promises Fireworks

Tuesday shapes up as the most action-packed day yet, with nine events scheduled and three bracelets set to be awarded. The Omaha Hi-Lo Championship finale featuring Negreanu will be must-watch television on PokerGO, while the $25K High Roller continues to showcase the world’s elite players.

Three new events kick off Tuesday, headlined by the $10,000 Dealers Choice Championship – a three-day mixed game marathon that attracts poker’s most versatile professionals. With defending champion Robert Mizrachi having claimed his fifth bracelet in this event last year, the field promises to be absolutely stacked.

The Bigger Picture

Despite pre-series concerns about various external factors potentially impacting attendance, the 56th WSOP is proving more popular than ever. With turnout up nearly 5% across comparable events and record fields in multiple tournaments, the series demonstrates poker’s enduring appeal and the magnetic pull of WSOP gold.

As we head deeper into the series, the combination of established legends like Negreanu chasing history, rising stars making their mark, and the unpredictable nature of tournament poker continues to deliver the drama that makes the World Series of Poker the most prestigious championship in the game.

The stage is set for an unforgettable Day 8 – don’t miss a moment of the action.