Yilong Wang turned years of near misses into poker gold at the 2025 World Series of Poker. Outlasting a massive 2,338-entry field in Event #68: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em, the Chinese pro clinched his first-ever WSOP bracelet and a whopping $830,685 payday. It was a story of perseverance, grit, and a timely touch of good fortune as Wang toppled Israeli contender Ran Ilani heads-up for the title.
Meanwhile, India’s Kunal Patni made a powerful run to the final table, eventually finishing in 5th place for $224,833—a result that reaffirms his place among the leading names in poker in India.
From Cash Grinds in London to WSOP Glory
Wang, who started his poker journey in 2011 while studying in London, primarily played cash games before transitioning to tournaments in 2017. While his previous best WSOP finish was a modest 14th place in a $1K event in 2019, the stars finally aligned this summer.
“For like seven or eight years I played online and live a lot… but this time I was lucky enough to get a bracelet,” said Wang after his win. With this title, Wang more than doubled his career earnings and hinted that he may even step away from professional poker to start a new venture back home in China.
But not before he takes his shot at the WSOP Main Event.
The Final Table – India’s Kunal Patni Shines
The final nine featured a truly international mix, with notable faces like Ren Lin, Fabrizio Gonzalez, and Yuliyan Kolev alongside Wang and Patni. Here’s how it played out:
Final Table Payouts:
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yilong Wang | China | $830,685 |
| 2 | Ran Ilani | Israel | $553,692 |
| 3 | Ren Lin | China | $406,016 |
| 4 | Yuliyan Kolev | Bulgaria | $300,649 |
| 5 | Kunal Patni | India | $224,833 |
| 6 | Seunghyun Nam | United States | $169,818 |
| 7 | Fabrizio Gonzalez | Italy | $129,563 |
| 8 | Jason Richard | United States | $99,859 |
| 9 | Paawan Bansal | India | $77,760 |
A Double Delight for India
Two Indian players reached the final nine. Kunal Patni, the former banker turned poker pro, was solid throughout the day. He picked his spots smartly and navigated a tough table to bank one of his biggest WSOP scores. Paawan Bansal, another veteran of the Indian poker scene, finished 9th for $77,760 after clashing with eventual runner-up Ilani.
Day 3 Highlights: The Road to Final 9
Day 3 began with 16 hopefuls, and the action was intense right from the get-go. Romain Lewis was the first casualty after losing a key flip to Seunghyun Nam. WSOP veteran Olivier Busquet was sent packing in 12th when his aggressive squeeze met Paawan Bansal’s kings.
Wang gained serious traction after his pocket aces held against Rohit Mariwalla’s jacks, catapulting him into contention. Ren Lin burst the final table bubble by eliminating Hamid Toghyan, setting the stage for a dramatic last table.
Final Table Action: Slow Start, Sudden Finish
Once the final nine were set, play slowed down significantly. Steven Jones exited in 10th, and for a long stretch, no eliminations occurred. Eventually, pressure mounted and chips began flying.
Fabrizio Gonzalez, who entered with a big stack, was visibly frustrated with the slow pace and fell in 7th. The bust-outs came quick after that: Seunghyun Nam, Patni, and Kolev all departed in a flurry.
Ren Lin’s run ended in 3rd place, setting up the final duel between Ilani and Wang.
Heads-Up: The Comeback
Despite entering heads-up play with a 2:1 chip deficit, Wang mounted a steady comeback. He ground down Ilani pot-by-pot and sealed the win when he spiked a six on the river to make a winning hand and end the tournament.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 WSOP continues to offer up stunning storylines, with Yilong Wang’s breakout win and Kunal Patni’s final table performance adding to the season’s highlights. For the growing poker India community, Patni and Bansal’s deep runs serve as proof of the nation’s rising prominence on poker’s biggest stage.
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