A Rookie, A Legend, and the Madness of Day 14 at the 2025 WSOP
Chang Lee wasn’t supposed to be here—not in the $25,000 High Roller, not in Las Vegas, and certainly not posing for photos with a bracelet on his wrist. Just months ago, he was a cash game regular in private Los Angeles games, more known for bankroll swings than trophy dreams. Yet here he stood on Day 14 of the 2025 World Series of Poker, clutching gold and nearly $2 million, having bested one of the most elite tournament fields in poker history.
That’s the kind of story the WSOP writes best.
But Lee wasn’t the only headline on a jam-packed Day 14. Daniel Negreanu—arguably the face of poker in the 21st century—is once again knocking on the door of history, sitting third in chips in the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship. Meanwhile, Event #28 crowned a fiery champion, the Colossus reached its final nine, and several other marquee tournaments moved closer to conclusion as the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas venues buzzed with electric energy.
Let’s unpack all the big developments in the ever-evolving landscape of the 2025 WSOP.
Chang Lee Wins $1.94 Million in the $25K High Roller
Imagine entering your second-ever poker tournament and walking away a millionaire. That’s what happened when Chang Lee, a cash game specialist, decided to “flick it in” and take a shot in Event #26: $25,000 High Roller. Despite his lack of MTT experience, Lee navigated the massive 406-entry field with uncanny poise.
The event’s prize pool ballooned to an astonishing $9.2 million, but it was Lee who secured the lion’s share—$1,949,044 and his first WSOP bracelet. Andrew Ostapchenko finished runner-up, collecting $1.29 million for his own career-defining result.
For Lee, it was a fairy tale debut in the tournament world and a reminder that in poker, skill, momentum, and fearlessness can overcome even the most seasoned pros.
Tyler Brown Grabs Second WSOP Bracelet in $600 NLH/PLO Deepstack
Event #28: $600 No-Limit Hold’em/Pot-Limit Omaha Deepstack offered a hybrid test of versatility and aggression. From the start, Tyler Brown took command of the event, maintaining the chip lead and overcoming every hurdle—including a one-round penalty.
But even that couldn’t derail his momentum.
Brown crushed the final table and earned his second WSOP bracelet. With his continued rise, he’s quickly carving a space for himself in the new generation of multi-game specialists.
Daniel Negreanu Closing in on Bracelet #8
Poker legend Daniel Negreanu is proving once again why he’s revered by fans and feared by pros. Event #30: $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship is down to its final 16, and Negreanu sits third in chips with 1,620,000, hot on the heels of chip leader George Alexander (1,835,000) and Dan Smith (1,775,000).
Negreanu has come painfully close to his eighth bracelet multiple times during this series—finishing second in the $10K Omaha Hi-Lo and 11th in the Seven Card Stud Championship. Could this be the one?
With heavyweights like Nick Schulman, Brian Rast, and Greg Mueller still in the mix, it won’t be easy. But if anyone can weave a narrative of redemption and glory, it’s “Kid Poker” himself.
Colossus Down to Final Nine: Ramaswamy Pyloore Leads
Event #19: $500 Colossus lived up to its name with a staggering 16,301 entrants. Only nine remain, with Ramaswamy Pyloore holding an imposing lead of 224,700,000 chips—more than double the next closest competitor.
Veteran grinder Matt Glantz and three-time bracelet winner Ryan Leng are still alive, though they sit near the bottom of the chip counts. Despite the deep stacks up top, no one beyond Pyloore has more than 20 big blinds, making this final table a powder keg waiting to explode.
Jon Vallinas Leads Final 17 in $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em
Spain’s Jon Vallinas continues a scorching 12-month run with another deep run at the WSOP. After earning $622,340 at WSOP Paradise and crushing Triton events in Jeju, he now leads Event #29: $2,500 No-Limit Hold’em with 7,000,000 chips.
With notable names like Dylan Linde, Christopher Puetz, and Ian O’Hara still in the hunt, this is shaping up to be one of the most talent-stacked final days of the series.
Stephen Song Charges in the $800 Deepstack
With nearly 4,500 entrants, Event #31: $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack has become another battlefield of poker endurance. One name continues to stand out—Stephen Song. Coming off a monstrous 2024 and already collecting $1.5 million in 2025, Song sits fourth in chips heading into Day 2.
He trails Hajime Watanabe (3,235,000), Daniel Cosner, and Robert Gittelman, but his momentum and consistency make him a likely final table contender.
Alexandre Reard Sets Pace in $50K High Roller
Event #32: $50,000 High Roller kicked off with 124 players, and French sensation Alexandre Reard bagged the overnight chip lead with 2,335,000. Reard, a two-time bracelet winner, is trailed by Viktor Blom, Joao Simao, and Jason Koon.
With late registration still open, expect more fireworks on Day 2. The prize pool is set to soar, drawing even more elite crushers to the fray.
John Monnette Leads in $1,500 Limit Hold’em
Five-time bracelet winner John Monnette took command of Event #33: $1,500 Limit Hold’em on Day 1. He ended the day with 368,000 chips, narrowly ahead of Germany’s Christoph Bohm and Brazil’s Anthony Ribeiro.
Monnette already owns a Limit Hold’em title from 2021 and is in perfect position to add another. With 99 players remaining from a field of 491, the action promises to intensify quickly.
Looking Ahead to WSOP Day 15
The 2025 WSOP doesn’t pause, and Day 15 brings a packed schedule:
- Event #19: $500 Colossus, Event #27: $1,500 Big O, and Event #29: $2,500 NLHE will all crown champions.
- Event #30: $10K NL 2-7 is also scheduled to conclude—will Negreanu finally get his 8th bracelet?
- Event #31: $800 Deepstack and Event #33: $1,500 Limit Hold’em continue.
- Three fresh events also begin:
- Event #34: $1,500 Super Turbo Bounty (One-Day Bracelet)
- Event #35: $3,000 Freezeout NLHE
- Event #36: $10K Pot-Limit Omaha Championship – featuring the elite of the elite.
Final Thoughts
Day 14 of the 2025 World Series of Poker showcased exactly why the WSOP is the heartbeat of poker. From Chang Lee’s Cinderella story to Daniel Negreanu’s ongoing legacy and rising stars making their mark, every corner of the poker spectrum was touched.
As the summer series moves deeper, the drama only thickens. Will we see history made? Will a first-time player capture lightning in a bottle again?
Whatever happens next, BetterPokerNews will be here to tell the stories behind the stacks.
About BetterPokerNews
BetterPokerNews is your premier destination for global poker coverage—WSOP, EPT, online poker updates, strategy tips, and exclusive interviews. Whether you’re a recreational player or a seasoned grinder, we bring you the best stories from the world of cards. Follow us for daily recaps, poker strategy, and tournament news that matters.
Source: PokerNews.com
1 Comment
Pingback: Jonathan Stoeber Wins WSOP $800 Deepstack for $352,610