Day 37 at the 2025 WSOP

The biggest day of the summer arrived with a bang as the $10,000 Main Event launched its first flight while Martin Kabrhel continued his Player of the Year chase with a commanding Mini Main Event victory

Day 37 of the 2025 World Series of Poker delivered everything poker fans could ask for: the long-awaited launch of the $10,000 Main Event, a dramatic bracelet finish that crowned a new Player of the Year leader, and multiple high-stakes events reaching their climactic moments. From the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the action was nothing short of spectacular.

Kabrhel Conquers the Mini Main Event

The headline story belonged to Martin Kabrhel, who captured his fourth WSOP bracelet and first on American soil after an electrifying finish in Event #75: $1,000 Mini Main Event. The polarizing Czech grinder outlasted a staggering field of 10,794 entries to claim the $843,140 first prize, propelling him to the top of the 2025 WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard.

Kabrhel entered the final day as the second-shortest stack but quickly asserted dominance with his characteristically aggressive play and table talk. His journey to victory was marked by dramatic moments, including a bizarre hand where opponent John Ishak’s cards were accidentally mucked during an all-in situation. The floor ruled that Ishak would forfeit only the minimum raise, but Kabrhel eliminated him the very next hand when his jack-deuce made a straight against Ishak’s dominated king-six.

The heads-up battle against Alexander Yen was a back-and-forth affair that saw multiple lead changes. Yen, who earned $566,170 for his runner-up finish, briefly took control before Kabrhel’s pocket nines held against ace-deuce suited to regain the advantage. The final hand saw Kabrhel’s ace-king dominate Yen’s ace-four, sealing the victory amid raucous celebrations from his packed rail.

Kabrhel’s triumph marks his eighth cash of the summer, totaling over $2 million in earnings. His ascent to the Player of the Year lead puts him ahead of three-time bracelet winner Benny Glaser, setting up what promises to be an epic race for the remainder of the series.

The Main Event Begins in Grand Style

Poker legend Billy Baxter delivered the ceremonial “shuffle up and deal” to kick off Event #81: $10,000 WSOP Main Event World Championship, marking the beginning of the tournament every poker player dreams of winning. Day 1a attracted 923 entrants, with 634 survivors advancing to Day 2abc scheduled for July 6.

Victor Vo emerged as the Day 1a chip leader with 352,000 chips, followed closely by Justin Yaker (348,000) and Belgium’s Miguel Coussement (320,000). The leaderboard showcased a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, with Germany’s Stanislav Zegal—winner of the inaugural WSOP Paradise Main Event—securing sixth place with 256,400 chips.

The tournament floor witnessed dramatic eliminations and coolers throughout the day. Chris Moneymaker, the 2003 champion, fell victim to a brutal setup, while another memorable hand saw a player’s attempt to retrieve mucked cards backfire spectacularly, leading to an explosive exit that had floor staff scrambling.

Notable survivors include Martin Kabrhel himself (168,700), who incredibly managed to secure his bracelet victory and still bag chips in the Main Event, former champion Scott Blumstein (99,200), and poker legend Bobby Baldwin (52,400). The diversity of the field—from online crushers to live legends—perfectly encapsulates the Main Event’s unique appeal.

High-Stakes Drama Unfolds Across Multiple Events

The $100,000 Pot-Limit Omaha High Roller reached its final seven, with Isaac Haxton (15,725,000) leading an all-star cast that reads like a who’s who of poker royalty. Shaun Deeb (13,625,000) and Spanish PLO specialist Lautaro Guerra (11,100,000) lurk menacingly behind, while 11-time bracelet winner Phil Ivey (8,700,000) remains in contention for his twelfth piece of gold.

The tournament began Day 2 with 36 Day 1 survivors joined by 33 late entrants, creating a 121-player field competing for the massive $2,957,229 top prize. With such talent remaining and nearly $3 million at stake, the final day promises to deliver world-class poker action.

The $10,000 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo Championship faced an unexpected delay, with four players still remaining when play was suspended at 12:30 a.m. Two-time bracelet winner Qinghai Pan (5,265,000) holds a commanding lead over David Lin (3,135,000), Luke Schwartz (1,965,000), and Russia’s Andrey Zhigalov (795,000). The $411,051 first prize hangs in the balance as these specialists prepare for their final battle.

TAKE YOUR SEAT!

Deep Stacks and Summer Celebration Continue

The $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship saw Michigan’s Daniel Schill (12,475,000) emerge as the sole eight-figure stack among the remaining 55 players. The tournament began Day 2 with 635 players and whittled down to a more manageable field after ten levels of play. Former bracelet winner Aditya Sushant (5,555,000) provides the most experienced presence among the survivors.

Meanwhile, the $800 Summer Celebration kicked off with a massive Day 1a field of 3,054 players. The Dutch contingent made a strong showing, with Roelof Pepping (2,775,000) leading the charge. Three other Netherlands players—Johannes Deusing, Thijs Hilberts, and David Peer—also cracked the top ten, suggesting a coordinated invasion from across the Atlantic.

The $10,000 Eight Game Mix Championship attracted 166 mixed-game specialists, with China’s Qiang Xu (311,000) edging out Jon Turner (305,000) for the overnight lead. The field includes legendary names like Mike Gorodinsky, Dario Sammartino, and Todd Brunson, all vying for supremacy in poker’s most demanding format.

Looking Ahead: The Main Event Continues

Day 38 promises to be equally spectacular, with Day 1b of the Main Event taking center stage at noon. As the poker world’s most prestigious tournament continues to unfold, every hand carries the weight of dreams and the potential for life-changing moments.

The convergence of multiple high-stakes finals, the ongoing Main Event flights, and Kabrhel’s Player of the Year surge creates a perfect storm of excitement. With the $100,000 PLO High Roller final table, the Stud Hi-Lo conclusion, and continued Main Event action all scheduled for the same day, Day 38 may well eclipse even the drama of Day 37.

The 2025 WSOP has already delivered countless memorable moments, but the atmosphere at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas suggests the best is yet to come. As chips fly and dreams hang in the balance, one thing remains certain: poker’s greatest stage continues to produce the sport’s most compelling stories.