The crowd at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas was buzzing with anticipation. Everyone knew what could be coming. The legendary Phil Hellmuth, 17-time WSOP bracelet winner and self-proclaimed “Poker Brat,” had made yet another final table. Could this be the moment he extended his record to 18 bracelets?
But someone else had different plans. Jason Daly, the American mixed-game specialist who had already made waves with a WSOP bracelet win two years ago, had one of the most dominant final tables of the summer. And by the time the chips settled and the last card hit the felt, it was Daly — not Hellmuth — who stood victorious in Event #47: $2,500 Mixed Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better / Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better, capturing $244,674 and his second gold bracelet.
Final Table Results – WSOP 2025 Event #47
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jason Daly | United States | $244,674 |
| 2 | Kevin Choi | Hong Kong | $163,085 |
| 3 | Phil Hellmuth | United States | $112,360 |
| 4 | Tobias Hausen | Germany | $78,825 |
| 5 | Jon Kyte | Norway | $56,327 |
| 6 | Alexander Orlov | Russia | $41,013 |
| 7 | Christopher Claassen | United States | $30,439 |
| 8 | Ruiko Mamiya | Japan | $23,036 |
Daly’s Domination: From Final Three Tables to Final Strike
Daly started Day 3 with a solid stack, positioned third in chips. It didn’t take long for him to announce his presence with authority. His first major scalp was Gus Hansen, a poker icon who was eliminated in 24th place for $7,771. Soon after, Brian Rast (22nd – $9,257) and Gary Benson (19th – $9,257) also fell to the storm Daly was building.
The eliminations kept rolling in. Daly busted Benny Glaser in 16th — dashing his hopes of a third bracelet this summer — and later knocked out Lynda Tran in 14th for $11,269. By the time Jon Turner bubbled the unofficial final table in 10th ($14,010) and William Flachsbart exited in 9th ($17,784), Daly had amassed a massive stack and was ready for his moment under the lights.
The Hellmuth Show Meets the Daly Storm
As the final table began, fans’ eyes gravitated toward one man — Phil Hellmuth. With cameras flashing and railbirds cheering, it seemed the poker gods might align for Hellmuth’s 18th title. But Daly had other plans.
Sitting side-by-side, Daly and Hellmuth engaged in both chips and banter. Hellmuth, never shy with words, often directed commentary toward Daly — but the eventual winner took it all in stride. “It’s to be expected,” Daly said post-victory. “He’s nice about it. If he crosses the line, he’ll apologize. It’s good for the game.”
In fact, the two shared one key knockout — they both contributed to the bustout of Alexander Orlov in sixth. But after that, Daly went into overdrive, eliminating Jon Kyte, Tobias Hausen, and finally Hellmuth himself in third place.
Kevin Choi Falls Short in Second Place
While Hellmuth’s exit stunned the crowd, Kevin Choi from Hong Kong had quietly laddered his way to heads-up play. But with Daly holding 85% of the chips at one point during three-handed play, Choi was facing a mountain too steep to climb. After just a few hands, Daly closed the deal.
A Signature Style: “Boom or Bust” Final Table Strategy
In the post-tournament interview, Daly revealed a crucial part of his final table mindset: “When I get to these final tables, I’m boom or bust. I go for it. So when you get the momentum, you don’t let off the gas.”
That strategy certainly paid off. Daly didn’t just win — he steamrolled his way through the final table, knocking out the last four players en route to victory.
It’s reminiscent of his first bracelet win in 2023, where he dominated short-handed play in another mixed-game event. But this time, he faced a brutal field that included multiple bracelet winners, Hall of Famers, and high-stakes legends.
Adapting to Greatness: Daly’s Edge
One of the hallmarks of Daly’s game is adaptability — a crucial skill in mixed formats. “Playing Hellmuth or Choi, the ranges are going to be vastly different,” Daly explained. “I feel like I have a good sense for where I’m at versus other people. That’s a big thing in these mixed games.”
With formats alternating between Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better and Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo, staying sharp across structures was essential. Daly’s ability to navigate those transitions with precision set him apart from the field.
What’s Next for Daly?
In an interesting twist, Daly admitted he had only planned to play this event and might skip the rest of the WSOP summer. “This was one of my favorites, so I scheduled everything around this. We’ll see about the rest,” he smiled, bracelet in hand.
Whether or not Daly returns for more events in 2025, one thing is clear — he’s now a two-time bracelet winner, with the resume and presence to make waves in any mixed-game lineup he joins.
Final Thoughts: Hellmuth Falls, But Poker Wins
While Phil Hellmuth’s hunt for number 18 continues, his presence once again added drama, personality, and star power to the WSOP. And it’s players like Jason Daly who balance that star power with grinding brilliance and deep technical skill.
In a year where mixed games continue to shine, Daly’s win is a reminder of what makes poker great — a mix of strategy, heart, and a bit of firepower when it matters most.
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source: pokernews