WSOP Day 35

Day 35 of the 2025 World Series of Poker delivered everything the poker world craves: controversy that sparked heated debate, breakthrough victories, and championship dreams hanging in the balance. As the series enters its final stretch at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, June 30 proved that even after five weeks of non-stop action, the WSOP can still surprise, shock, and inspire.

Controversy Clouds the Millionaire Maker

The day’s most talked-about moment came from an unprecedented decision that will be debated in poker circles for years to come. Event #53, the $1,500 Millionaire Maker, concluded without a bracelet being awarded—a first in WSOP history. The heads-up conclusion between Jesse Yaginuma and James Carroll ended in controversy so significant that tournament officials made the extraordinary choice to split the first and second-place prize money while declaring no official winner.

The WSOP’s stance that no winner would be recognized sent shockwaves through the poker community. While the specifics of what transpired remain the subject of intense discussion, the decision to leave one of the series’ most popular events without a bracelet winner represents an unprecedented situation in tournament poker.

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From Whim to Winner: Ian Pelz’s Golden Moment

While controversy swirled around one event, redemption and pure poker joy played out in Event #67, the $300 Gladiators of Poker. Ian Pelz of Colorado transformed what started as an impulse decision into the performance of a lifetime, claiming his first WSOP bracelet and a career-best $420,680 payday.

Pelz’s victory story perfectly encapsulates the magic of poker. The Colorado native hadn’t even planned to enter the event, only deciding to play on a whim after returning to the Horseshoe to collect his car following a night out. That spontaneous choice paid off in spectacular fashion, turning a $300 investment into life-changing money and WSOP gold.

The triumph was particularly sweet for Pelz, who had shown his mettle earlier in the series with a third-place finish in a $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em event. His Gladiators victory proved that sometimes the best poker decisions are the ones made on instinct rather than careful calculation.

Negreanu’s Date with Destiny

While Pelz celebrated his breakthrough, Daniel Negreanu positioned himself for poker immortality. The GGPoker ambassador survived to the final 11 in Event #76, the $2,500 Mixed Big Bet tournament, carrying 2,513,000 chips and championship aspirations into the decisive final day.

Negreanu’s summer has been a masterclass in consistency and determination. Four final table appearances, including a heartbreaking runner-up finish in the $10,000 Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship, have demonstrated that the Canadian legend remains at the peak of his powers. Now, just ten eliminations separate him from joining an exclusive club of eight-time bracelet winners.

With 11 players remaining, the path to victory runs through some formidable opposition. Aaron Kupin holds the chip lead at 3,028,000, just ahead of Negreanu’s stack. Marco Johnson sits in third with 2,507,000, while seasoned veterans Jeff Madsen and Christopher Vitch lurk in the mix with dangerous stacks of their own. Four of the remaining players were selected in the $25,000 Fantasy Draft, adding extra intrigue to every elimination.

For Negreanu, this represents more than just another bracelet opportunity. Reaching eight bracelets would place him among poker’s true elite, a feat accomplished by only seven players in WSOP history. The mixed-game format plays perfectly to his strengths, and his experience in high-pressure situations could prove decisive when the chips are down.

High-Stakes Drama in the PLO Championship

The $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship reached its climactic final table with China’s Quan Zhou leading the charge from the top of the leaderboard. Zhou’s 16,750,000 chips provide him with a solid advantage, though Sean Rafael remains within striking distance with 13,250,000 chips of his own.

The final seven represents a fascinating mix of established stars and emerging talent. Michael Wang brings WSOP experience to his third-place position, while Alex Foxen’s presence at the bottom of the counts tells its own story. Foxen’s decision to multi-table this championship with another $10,000 event at the Wynn may have cost him chips, but his skill level makes him dangerous regardless of stack size.

Dutch player Javier Francort, who controlled the early action on Days 1 and 2, finds himself in fourth position but with plenty of ammunition to make a move. The international flavor of the final table, combined with the tournament’s massive buy-in, ensures that fireworks are guaranteed when play resumes.

Mini Main Event Momentum

The $1,000 Mini Main Event continued its impressive showing with Day 1b attracting 6,717 entrants, bringing the total field to 10,794 players. France’s Bernard Kobis emerged from the chaos with the chip lead at 7,770,000, but the real story lies in the star-studded field that survived.

Ethan “Rampage” Yau’s presence among the Day 1b survivors provides a compelling narrative. Earlier in the series, Yau had expressed frustration with his results, even contemplating stepping away from the game. His aggressive style, which can be both blessing and curse, appears to be paying dividends at exactly the right moment.

Harry Lodge, fresh from capturing an online bracelet, demonstrated his versatility by building the fourth-largest stack. The inclusion of polarizing figure Martin Kabrhel in the top ten ensures that Day 2 will feature plenty of table dynamics worth watching.

Stud Hi-Lo Specialists Emerge

The $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship attracted 160 players for Day 1, with the field quickly separating the specialists from the tourists. Shaun Deeb’s second-place position with 310,000 chips comes as no surprise given his mixed-game expertise and current hot streak.

Deeb has been one of the series’ most consistent performers, with 15 cashes and two final table appearances already under his belt. His third-place finish in the $10,000 PLO Hi-Lo Championship and runner-up performance in the $1,500 Razz demonstrate his mastery of split-pot games.

Walter Chambers claimed the chip lead with 372,500, but the presence of accomplished players like Scott Bohlman, Anthony Zinno, and Brian Hastings throughout the counts ensures that Day 2 will feature world-class competition. The inclusion of veterans like Viktor Blom, Mike Gorodinsky, and David “Bakes” Baker adds depth to a field where experience often trumps aggression.

The Heart of Competition

Day 35 exemplified everything that makes the WSOP special: the unpredictability that can turn casual decisions into life-changing moments, the pressure-cooker environment where legends are made, and the unforgiving nature of tournament poker where one mistake can end months of preparation.

Ian Pelz’s spontaneous victory reminds us that poker rewards those bold enough to take chances. Daniel Negreanu‘s pursuit of history demonstrates that greatness requires both talent and persistence. The controversy surrounding the Millionaire Maker shows that even the most established tournament can face situations that test its principles.

As the 2025 WSOP enters its final weeks, Day 35 will be remembered as a microcosm of what makes this series extraordinary. Between the celebration and controversy, the breakthrough victories and championship chases, June 30 delivered the drama that keeps the poker world captivated.

The stage is set for more memorable moments as summer’s biggest stories continue to unfold in Las Vegas. Some dreams will be realized, others will be shattered, but all will contribute to the rich tapestry that makes the World Series of Poker the ultimate test in tournament poker.