Highlights from the WSOP Day 9

Day 9 of the 2025 World Series of Poker delivered everything poker fans could ask for – dramatic comebacks, nail-biting finishes, and the kind of storylines that make the WSOP truly special. While only two of the expected four bracelets were awarded, the tournaments that needed extra days have set up some of the most compelling finales we’ve seen this summer.

The Day’s Champions

Christopher Staats claimed victory in the $1,500 6-Handed event, while Cristian Gutierrez took down the $600 PLO Deepstack, adding two more names to poker’s most prestigious winner’s circle. But the real headlines belonged to the tournaments that couldn’t finish – and the incredible stories they’ve created for their final days.

Ben Lamb’s Miracle Comeback for the Ages

If you needed proof that no stack is too small at the WSOP, look no further than Ben Lamb’s impressive resurgence in the $25,000 PLO/NLHE Mixed High Roller. Just hours earlier, with 14 players remaining, Lamb was staring down elimination with a short stack of just two big blinds — the kind of position that usually spells the end of a tournament run.

But now, heading into the final five, Lamb has battled his way back to bag 17.1 million chips, placing him first among the final five. From a near elimination to having more than 45% of the chips in play, Lamb shows how quickly everything can change in poker. After all, all you need is a chip and a chair.

Lou Garza sits in second with 6.6 million, followed by Chongxian Yang, Robert Cowen, and  Brandon Mitchell. With $1,302,233 up top and everyone guaranteed at least $303,773, Thursday’s finale promises high drama as Lamb chases his third WSOP bracelet.

Benny Glaser’s Quest for WSOP History

Speaking of compelling storylines, Benny Glaser is positioned to make WSOP history in the most impressive fashion possible. The British mixed games specialist, who captured his first bracelet of 2025 just days ago in the $1,500 Dealer’s Choice event, now sits as the chip leader in the $1,500 PLO-8 Mixed with 12.125 million.

If Glaser can close out this victory, he’ll join an extremely exclusive club – players who have won multiple bracelets within the same WSOP series. More remarkably, it would give him two bracelets in less than a week, a feat that showcases his dominance in mixed games.

Standing between Glaser and history are Travis Pearson (11.4 million) and David Shmuel (7.05 million). Pearson, who started the final table as one of the shorter stacks, was responsible for half the eliminations that got them to the final three, proving that chip counts can be deceiving when the cards start flying.

Stars Shine and Legends Unite in Major Championship

The $10,000 Dealer’s Choice Championship has attracted its usual collection of mixed games legends, with Ryan Hoenig leading the final 14 players into Thursday’s conclusion. The tournament features an incredible depth of talent, with former champions Dario Alioto and Daniel Zack trailing in second and third, respectively.

One of the most compelling subplots involves Adam Friedman, who sits ninth in chips but brings unprecedented pedigree to the table. Friedman won this exact event three consecutive times from 2018-2021, making him the overwhelming favorite despite his middle-of-the-pack position. If anyone knows how to navigate the complexities of Dealer’s Choice poker, it’s Friedman.

The day wasn’t without its drama, as Phil Hellmuth fell just short of another deep run, finishing in 15th. True to form, the Poker Brat had some choice words for Allan Le during his elimination, though Le survived to fight another day.

Meanwhile, poker fans were treated to a nostalgic moment in this $10K Dealer’s Choice Championship when three legends, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Gus Hansen, found themselves seated together. The trio, which boasts 25 WSOP bracelets combined with countless iconic moments in poker history, represented a throwback to poker’s golden era of television personalities.

Rising Stars and Commanding Leads

Dusti Smith has positioned herself beautifully in the $2,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, bagging a commanding 142 big blinds to lead the final 19 players. She’s already locked up her best-ever WSOP finish and will be looking to cap it off with her maiden bracelet.

The field behind her reads like a who’s who of international poker talent, with Quan Zhou (87bb) and Scott Bohlman (80bb) as the closest competition. Notably, GPI World Number 1 Jesse Lonis survived to the final day in 15th position, adding even more star power to what promises to be an explosive finish.

The Colossus Begins

Day 9 also marked the beginning of the $500 Colossus, with Day 1a attracting 3,378 entries. Gulnara Taul emerged as the early story, bagging an enormous 4.52 million chips – good for 377 big blinds and the kind of stack that can cruise to deep runs.

The tournament also saw several notable pros advance, including former WSOP Europe champion Jack Sinclair, and multiple bracelet winners secure their spots for Day 2.

Looking Ahead: A Historic Day 10

Thursday promises to be one of the most action-packed days of the 2025 WSOP, with four bracelets set to be awarded for the first time this summer. The Lamb and Glaser storylines alone would make for compelling viewing, but add in the stacked Dealer’s Choice field and Smith’s commanding position in the $2K, and we have the makings of a truly memorable day.

New events will also launch, including the third edition of the $25,000 High Roller 6-Handed and the $1,500 Badugi – ensuring that even as some stories conclude, new ones begin.

With the 2025 WSOP still in its early stages, the combination of established stars, rising talents, and dramatic comebacks continues to deliver the kind of poker theater that makes Las Vegas the center of the poker universe each summer. Day 10 can’t come soon enough.