The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) saw an incredible turn of events in Event #67: $300 Gladiators of Poker, with Ian Pelz emerging victorious after an unexpected, yet thrilling final day. Pelz, a Colorado-based player, claimed the first-place prize of $420,680, securing his very first WSOP gold bracelet. The tournament, boasting an enormous field of 24,629 entries, proved to be one of the largest in poker history, drawing competitors from around the globe.
Event #67: $300 Gladiators of Poker Final Table Results
Pelz was one of the 13 players who advanced to Day 3, where the action took a dramatic turn. Despite entering the final day with a two-to-one chip deficit, Pelz demonstrated remarkable composure and skill, ultimately securing the top spot. His opponent, Sang Sim, put up a fierce fight but ultimately fell short in the heads-up battle. Below are the final results:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
| 1 | Ian Pelz | United States | $420,680 |
| 2 | Sang Sim | United States | $300,160 |
| 3 | Manuel Reyes | United States | $219,410 |
| 4 | Jesus Rodriguez | United States | $167,730 |
| 5 | Yuanzhi Cao | United States | $128,970 |
| 6 | Roland Israelashvili | United States | $100,120 |
| 7 | Joseph Butler | United States | $77,580 |
| 8 | Santiago Trujillo | Argentina | $60,700 |
| 9 | Timothy Thorp | United States | $47,770 |
Winner’s Reaction
Pelz’s victory came under highly unexpected circumstances. He revealed that he had not initially planned to play the tournament. The day before, Pelz had been out drinking with friends, and after leaving his car at the Horseshoe, he decided to take a shot at the Gladiator event on a whim. “On one hung-over bullet,” Pelz humorously stated, highlighting his spontaneous decision that led to one of the biggest wins of his career.
Despite the long odds, Pelz’s calm demeanor and tactical play led him to victory. Reflecting on his performance, he explained to PokerNews, “I kind of just played my game and good things happened. I took advantage of the fact that some of these players have less experience and haven’t been in these situations before.”
Pelz’s composure in the final moments was particularly remarkable. Heading into the heads-up battle with a two-to-one chip disadvantage, he gradually wore down Sim’s stack. The pivotal moment came when Sim, holding a runner-runner straight, moved all-in on the river, only for Pelz to snap-call with a runner-runner flush, securing the victory and his first WSOP gold bracelet.
Final Day Action
The final day of Event #67 was an actual test of skill and endurance. After the start of Day 3, it only took two hands for Bradley Moore to go all-in with ace-four, but he was eliminated in 13th place by Manuel Reyes, who made a straight with queen-ten. Meanwhile, Pelz and Roland Israelashvili were doubling up, while Ken Takayama ran into Pelz’s pocket nines and was eliminated in 12th place.
The pay jumps came fast and furious, and the eliminations continued with a flurry of action. Joseph Butler was the first to exit the final table in 7th place for $77,580, followed by Israelashvili, who finished 6th for $100,120 after tens beat his nines. Sim continued to dominate, knocking out Jesus Rodriguez in 4th place ($167,730) and Manuel Reyes in 3rd place ($219,410), giving him a commanding chip lead as the heads-up match began.
As the final duel unfolded, Pelz patiently chipped away at Sim’s stack, eventually taking the lead. With both players trading pots, the final hand saw Sim move all-in on the river with a straight, only for Pelz to call with a flush. With that, Pelz clinched the title and took home the impressive $420,680 first-place prize.
A Remarkable Summer for Pelz
Pelz’s win marks a high point in a productive summer at the World Series of Poker. Only eight days earlier, he finished 3rd in Event #60: $3,000 Limit Hold’em 6-handed for $85,431. Despite a rough start to his trip, this victory marks his fourth cash at the WSOP this summer, with the last two performances proving to be especially fruitful.
Looking Ahead
Ian Pelz’s triumph in the $300 Gladiators of Poker event is a testament to the unpredictable nature of poker and the importance of seizing opportunities. What began as a hungover whim turned into a career-defining moment for the Colorado native, whose poker journey started in Eugene, Oregon, during the Chris Moneymaker poker boom. With the $420,680 prize, Pelz now looks ahead to future poker tournaments, where his newfound confidence and experience could make him a force to be reckoned with on the felt.
FAQs
1. What was the final prize for Ian Pelz in the Gladiators of Poker event?
Ian Pelz won the $300 Gladiators of Poker event at the 2025 WSOP, earning $420,680 and his first-ever WSOP gold bracelet.
2. How did Ian Pelz win the tournament despite being at a disadvantage in the heads-up match?
Pelz started the heads-up match with a two-to-one chip deficit, but he gradually wore down his opponent, Sang Sim, and sealed the deal with a runner-runner flush against Sim’s straight.
3. What were some of Pelz’s key moments before his victory?
Pelz had a rough start to his WSOP trip but had previously finished 3rd in Event #60. This marked his fourth cash of the summer, with the last two cashes proving particularly rewarding.
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