Las Vegas, June 28, 2025 — On the thirtieth day of the 2025 World Series of Poker, the halls of the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas were filled with stories that define the game of poker: glory, heartbreak, redemption, and even comedy. Whether it was a legendary run by a future Hall of Famer, a soul-crushing misstep by one of poker’s most iconic names, or a son delivering on his father’s lifelong dream, Day 30 had everything.
We begin with the man of the moment: Michael Mizrachi, who just added another chapter to his already incredible poker legacy.
Michael Mizrachi Wins Unprecedented Fourth $50K Poker Players Championship Title
The $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC) is not just any event—it is the test of true poker greatness. Played across a grueling mix of formats, it’s where the best in the world go to war. And one man has made it his kingdom.
Michael Mizrachi, already tied with Brian Rast with three PPC wins, stepped into Day 5 on a mission—and left with the Chip Reese Memorial Trophy for the fourth time, a feat unmatched in poker history. Along with the hardware came a $1,331,322 payday, and chants of “Hall of Fame!” ringing from the rail.
“Everything went my way this tournament,” Mizrachi said post-victory. “I was always at the top of the leaderboard. Never really got short. Probably played my best overall.”
Final Table Payouts – $50K PPC
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Mizrachi | USA | $1,331,322 |
| 2 | Bryn Kenney | USA | $887,542 |
| 3 | Esther Taylor | USA | $595,136 |
| 4 | Andrew Yeh | USA | $413,740 |
| 5 | Joao Vieira | Portugal | $298,614 |
| 6 | Albert Daher | Lebanon | $224,077 |
| 7 | Ben Lamb | USA | $175,096 |
Esther Taylor made history of her own, finishing third—the highest placement by a woman in PPC history, surpassing Melissa Burr’s seventh-place finish in 2014. And Bryn Kenney, despite his massive resume and deep run, was left chasing after Mizrachi once again.
Alexander Wilkinson Wins $10K 2-7 Triple Draw, Realizes Father’s Dream
If Mizrachi’s story was one of dominance, Alexander Wilkinson’s was one of destiny. In Event #71: $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Championship, Wilkinson topped a skilled 141-player field to claim $333,054 and his first WSOP gold bracelet—in the very event his father, Wil Wilkinson, had twice final tabled in the past.
“It was a long three-handed battle and I’m a little tired, but I feel good,” said Alex. “I’m happy. I don’t know if I deserve to be the first one, but I am. I’ll take it.”
Final Table Payouts – $10K 2-7 Triple Draw
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Wilkinson | USA | $333,054 |
| 2 | Matthew Schreiber | USA | $215,848 |
| 3 | Nick Schulman | USA | $144,431 |
| 4 | Hye Park | USA | $99,885 |
| 5 | Brian Tate | USA | $71,475 |
| 6 | Yuri Dzivielevski | Brazil | $52,985 |
The final table featured heavyweights like Nick Schulman and Matthew Schreiber, but it was Wilkinson who remained composed through long hours of back-and-forth swings. With his father watching from the rail, the moment was not just a personal milestone—it was the closing of a generational loop.
“He’s watched me play his whole life. Now I get to watch him win,” said Wil Wilkinson, eyes misty with pride.
Daniel Negreanu’s Fatal Misread Sends Shockwaves Through $10K PLO Championship
Even legends have their moments of fallibility. In Event #72: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, fans witnessed something almost unheard of: a fatal misread by Daniel “KidPoker” Negreanu, one of the sharpest minds and most beloved figures in poker.
Facing Mark Steinberg on Day 2, Negreanu jammed the river on a board of 7♣ 2♥ 3♦ K♠ 10♠, thinking he had two pair. Steinberg called with K♦ 10♥ 8♣ 5♣, and Negreanu confidently tabled K♣ Q♠ J♦ 9♠.
Then, the realization hit.
“I misread my hand. I thought I had king-ten,” he admitted. “I would have checked.”
The moment went viral instantly. But what stood out even more was Negreanu’s reaction—no excuses, no tilt, just ownership. That humility reminded fans why he remains one of the sport’s greatest ambassadors.
Mixed Game Masters: Nedelcu Leads Final 14 in $1,500 Eight-Game Mix
The $1,500 Eight-Game Mix is where well-rounded grinders shine, and with 14 players remaining, Narcis Nedelcu leads the charge into Day 3. After navigating a 789-player field, he bagged 3,225,000 chips, powered by a massive Stud Hi-Lo scoop in the final level of Day 2.
Top Chip Counts – End of Day 2
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narcis Nedelcu | Romania | 3,225,000 |
| 2 | Walter Treccarichi | Italy | 1,955,000 |
| 3 | Jonatas Freitas | Brazil | 1,805,000 |
The format rotated through Limit Hold’em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Stud, Stud Hi-Lo, No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, and 2-7 Triple Draw. The demanding structure saw notable names like Ari Engel, Chad Eveslage, and Barry Greenstein all fall after the bubble.
Two-time bracelet winner Brad Ruben summed it up best: “You can’t fake your way through this event.”
What’s Next at WSOP 2025: The Final Charge Begins
As the final week of WSOP 2025 begins, excitement is building across the board. These are the events fans and players alike are watching closely:
Upcoming Events
- Event #76: $10,000 Main Event – All eyes turn to poker’s biggest spectacle, with record entries expected once again.
- Event #74: $25K PLO High Roller – Top pros like Ben Lamb, Shaun Deeb, and Joao Vieira are expected to headline.
- Event #75: $1,000 Ladies Championship – Esther Taylor might become the first player to final table both the PPC and Ladies event in one year.
Storylines to Follow
- Phil Hellmuth continues his pursuit of an 18th bracelet.
- Aditya Agarwal of India remains a strong contender with deep finishes this summer.
- Newcomers in mixed games are emerging as serious threats, including Narcis Nedelcu.
Final Thoughts
Day 30 of WSOP 2025 captured what makes the series so magical. Legends were made, mistakes were magnified, and the dream of poker glory remained alive in every hand dealt. From Mizrachi’s fourth PPC crown to Wilkinson’s emotional bracelet win, and Negreanu’s reminder that even heroes are human—this was a day that poker fans won’t soon forget.
With the Main Event about to kick off and several high-stakes finales on the horizon, the summer of poker is far from over. Stay tuned as we continue to bring you the biggest stories from the felt.
Source pokernews
