Day 34 at the 2025 WSOP
The 34th day of the 2025 World Series of Poker delivered another memorable chapter in poker history, with champions crowned, records broken, and elite fields battling for gold bracelets across the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. While June 29 featured fewer events than the typical WSOP circus, the quality of action and storylines more than compensated for quantity.
Historic Achievements and Bracelet Winners
The day belonged to the record-breakers and repeat champions who etched their names deeper into WSOP folklore. Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi continued his dominance in poker’s most prestigious mixed game event, capturing his fourth $50,000 Poker Players Championship title. This achievement solidifies Mizrachi’s status as one of the greatest tournament players of all time, with his unparalleled success in the game that many consider the ultimate test of poker skill.
In another remarkable display of consistency, Japan’s Shiina Okamoto created her own piece of WSOP history by winning back-to-back Ladies Championships. Okamoto’s journey to this moment shows impressive consistency – finishing as runner-up in 2023, claiming victory in 2024, and now successfully defending her title in Event #70: $1,000 Ladies Championship.
Romania’s Narcis Nedelcu finally broke through for his first WSOP bracelet, capturing Event #73: $1,500 Eight Game Mix after defeating Scott Abrams in heads-up play. For Nedelcu, this victory represents years of grinding both live and online tournaments, finally culminating in the ultimate prize that every serious poker player dreams of achieving.
High-Stakes PLO Championship Takes Shape
The $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship has emerged as one of the most compelling events currently in progress, with Day 2 producing a fascinating leaderboard that sets up an intriguing battle ahead. Netherlands’ Javier Francort has established himself as the man to beat, accumulating a commanding 4,060,000 chips – nearly double the stack of his closest competitor. Francort’s dominance throughout the event suggests he’s found his rhythm in this elite field, and stopping his momentum will require exceptional play from his opponents.
Alex Foxen, the three-time bracelet winner, sits in prime position with 1,910,000 chips, trailing only Quan Zhou (2,410,000) among the chasing pack. Foxen’s track record speaks for itself – his first bracelet came in the prestigious $250,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super High Roller in 2022, followed by victory in the $500 Pot-Limit Omaha Mystery Bounty 6-Max online event in 2024. That same year also saw him triumph in the $100,000 Triton No-Limit Hold’em Main Event at WSOP Paradise.
The field returning for Day 3 includes accomplished professionals. Thomas Taylor (1,645,000) and Isaac Kempton (1,475,000) round out the top contenders, while legends of the game including Robert Mizrachi (1,270,000), Alex Livingston (1,255,000), Stephen Chidwick (865,000), Ryan Riess (650,000), Mike Gorodinsky (640,000), Ben Lamb (545,000), Michael Wang (520,000), Scott Bohlman (445,000), and Erik Seidel (430,000) all survived to fight another day among the 56 remaining players.
Gladiators Event Down to Final 13
From an initial field of 24,629 players in the $300 Gladiators of Poker event, only 13 warriors remain standing with their eyes on the $420,680 top prize. The massive field reduction from 812 Day 2 survivors to just 13 finalists demonstrates the brutal nature of tournament poker, where one mistake can end dreams instantly.
Yuanzhi Cao (106,300,000) leads the final charge, with Manuel Reyes (101,500,000) providing the primary competition in a two-horse race for the chip lead. However, the most compelling storyline belongs to Roland Israelashvili (34,000,000), who captured his first bracelet last year during his remarkable 515th WSOP cash. The veteran’s chance to become a two-time champion adds a layer of narrative intrigue to an already dramatic finale.
The tournament structure promises maximum entertainment value, with play continuing until seven players remain before a brief pause allows PokerGO to set up their streaming coverage. The resumption at 4:00 p.m. local time, with streaming beginning an hour later, ensures poker fans worldwide can witness the crowning of a new champion.
Mini Main Event Draws Massive Interest
The $1,000 Mini Main Event demonstrated its appeal by attracting 4,077 entrants for Day 1a alone – representing nearly two-thirds of last year’s total field of 6,076 with another starting flight still to come.
Duane Fernandez (2,670,000) emerged as the Day 1a chip leader, followed closely by Brandon Morisson (2,500,000) and Israel’s Liran Betito (2,480,000). Betito’s strong showing continues his excellent WSOP run, having recently finished as runner-up in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em Super Turbo Bounty event.
The survival rate proved challenging, with only 318 players from the 4,077 starters managing to bag chips for Day 2. Notable casualties included three-time bracelet winner Dutch Boyd and 2003 WSOP Main Event champion Chris Moneymaker, both eliminated before the day’s conclusion.
Mixed Game Specialists Battle in Big Bet Event
The $2,500 Mixed Big Bet tournament attracted 458 entries, with 101 players advancing to Day 2. Christopher Vitch (583,500) seized the chip lead while hunting his fourth gold bracelet, demonstrating consistent excellence with eight cashes already at this year’s series.
The specialized format drew an impressive array of accomplished professionals, including former bracelet winners Matthew Schreiber (556,000), James Obst (451,000), Julio Belluscio (394,000), and the legendary Barry Greenstein (292,000). Seven-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu (188,000) and Hall of Famer Brian Rast (201,000) also survived to continue their campaigns.
Looking Ahead: The Calm Before the Storm
Day 34 promises a more measured pace with only five events scheduled, but the quality remains exceptional. The $300 Gladiators event will crown its champion, while the PLO Championship and Mixed Big Bet tournaments continue their battles toward their respective conclusions.
The day’s new addition comes in the form of Event #77: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship, beginning at 2:00 p.m. local time. Arash Ghaneian returns as defending champion after defeating a 167-player field in 2024 to claim his second bracelet and $376,476.
With the $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship beginning July 2, the poker world stands on the precipice of the year’s most anticipated tournament. The calm before that storm allows players to fine-tune their games while chasing bracelet glory in the remaining events, each offering its own path to poker immortality.