WSOP 2025 Event #7: $25K Heads-Up – Martirosian, Leonard, Boika & Chen Make Final 4 as Kornuth Crashes Out

Las Vegas, June 1 – The drama at the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) intensified in Event #7: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship, where the final four contenders have been decided — and there’s no shortage of surprises. Despite dominating early, fan-favorite Chance Kornuth was knocked out in a stunning comeback by Artur Martirosian.

Now, it’s down to Artur Martirosian, Patrick Leonard, Aliaksei Boika, and David Chen — all aiming to seize the $500,000 top prize and the coveted WSOP bracelet.

Quarterfinal Recap – A Day of High-Stakes Showdowns

The Round of 16 began with 16 elite players fighting for survival. Only eight would advance into the quarterfinals — and then, the real fireworks began.

Chance Kornuth vs. Artur Martirosian

Kornuth took down Killian Desnos in Round 3 and looked poised to cruise through the quarters with a 9:1 chip lead over Martirosian. But poker is a game of inches — and momentum.

Martirosian, calm under pressure, doubled up twice and eventually eliminated Kornuth in a shocking reversal. He now returns to the Final Four of this event for the second straight year, looking for his third WSOP bracelet.

Patrick Leonard vs. Mike Shi

British pro Patrick Leonard wasted no time, catching Shi bluffing early and maintaining control throughout the match. His aggression paid off, and he became the first semifinalist of the day. Leonard now has a golden opportunity to add a second bracelet to his impressive resume.

David Chen vs. Thomas Eychenne

One of the most thrilling comebacks of the tournament, David Chen was nearly eliminated earlier in the day with less than five big blinds. But he stormed back against Richard Green and carried that fire into his quarterfinal match.

Against Eychenne, Chen built momentum quickly. A top pair vs. set cooler ended the battle in Chen’s favor — sending the American into his first-ever WSOP semifinal.

Aliaksei Boika vs. Harvey Castro

Aliaksei Boika found flopped quads early to stay alive, then weathered a back-and-forth battle with Castro. The final hand saw Castro bluff the river, and Boika made the hero call with two pair to lock up his semifinal seat.

Semifinal Matchups – June 1

These four players return to battle it out live at the Horseshoe Las Vegas at 12:15 p.m. PT. All matches will be streamed via PokerGO’s YouTube channel:

• Artur Martirosian vs. Patrick Leonard
  
• Aliaksei Boika vs. David Chen
  

Final Four Chip Counts

All four players have locked in a minimum $1,50,000 (₹1.25 Crore) payday, with the winner taking home $5,00,000 (₹4.15 Crore).

Notable Round 3 & Quarterfinal Results

• Patrick Leonard defeated Martin Zamani and Mike Shi
  
• Artur Martirosian defeated Kevin Rabichow and Chance Kornuth
  
• Aliaksei Boika defeated Brandon Brown and Harvey Castro
  
• David Chen defeated Richard Green and Thomas Eychenne
  
• Alex Foxen, Joao Vieira, and Mike Shi were eliminated before the semis
  

Remaining Payouts – WSOP 2025 Event #7

How to Watch

The semifinals and final showdown will be broadcast on PokerGO’s YouTube Channel. Expect fireworks as the world’s sharpest minds go head-to-head in poker’s most unforgiving format.

Final Thoughts

This event is a brutal mental battle where there are no second chances. Chance Kornuth’s shocking collapse reminded us all that even the most experienced crushers can fall. But for poker fans in India and around the world, the real excitement lies ahead.

Whether it’s Martirosian’s redemption arc, Leonard’s cool aggression, Boika’s calm resolve, or Chen’s underdog grind — Event #7 is heading for an epic finish.

FAQs – WSOP $25K Heads-Up 2025

Q: What is the format of this event?
A: Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em with a 64-player single-elimination bracket.

Q: Who were the biggest surprises?
A: Artur Martirosian’s comeback over Kornuth and David Chen’s bounceback from 5BB to semifinals.

Q: When is the final?
A: June 1, after the two semifinals.

Q: Where can I follow live updates?
A: PokerGO YouTube and PokerBol’s daily WSOP coverage.

Sources:

• PokerNews WSOP Event #7 Highlights
• Live Chip Counts
• Pic courtesy Luther Redd and Alicia Skillman