Third-largest WSOP Main Event down to 57 as legends and rising stars battle for poker’s biggest title.
On a warm July night in Las Vegas, three legends of the game—Kenny Hallaert, Eric Afriat, and Michael Mizrachi—bagged chips and took a moment to reflect. Around them, the Horseshoe buzzed with energy. The floor staff prepared for Day 7, the PokerGO cameras tilted into final table mode, and the chip bags told stories of triumph, heartbreak, and an unrelenting pursuit of poker immortality. From 9,735 hopefuls, only 57 remain. And the dream? It’s still alive—for now.
The 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event is down to just seven tables, making it one of the most memorable editions in modern poker history. With $10,000,000 waiting for the winner and a minimum payout of $165,000 already locked up, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Poker fans, brace yourselves: this race for the bracelet is officially in sprint mode.
Kenny Hallaert Bags the Chip Lead With a Dream Scenario
Belgium’s Kenny Hallaert, a former WSOP final tablist, sits atop the leaderboard heading into Day 7 with 36,950,000 chips. A seasoned tournament director and veteran of the felt, Hallaert is no stranger to the Main Event spotlight. He famously finished 6th in 2016, and now, nearly a decade later, he’s one of the favorites to make another final table run.
His rise to the top wasn’t subtle. In one of the most dramatic hands of Day 6, Hallaert picked up pocket aces in a three-way all-in against pocket queens and pocket jacks. The board ran clean for the Belgian, earning him a double knockout and a commanding stack. As Hallaert said afterward, “Having two people go all-in before you with queens and jacks helps.”
But he remains cautious. “People have started in this position and not made it to the final three tables,” he noted. “I’ve been playing poker for over 20 years. I’ve seen it all.”
Eric Afriat: From WPT Champion to WSOP Contender
In second place is Eric Afriat with 31,200,000 chips. A three-time World Poker Tour winner, Afriat is chasing his first WSOP bracelet—and what a way it would be to get it. His Day 6 was nothing short of cinematic.
Holding J♦10♦, Afriat flopped a flush draw against Bruno Furth’s top set of queens and Benjamin Williams’ pocket aces. After a dramatic turn and a river K♠, Afriat completed a straight flush to send both players home and vault up the leaderboard.
“I think that was one of my biggest hands ever,” Afriat told Card Player. “Technically, I shouldn’t have played that hand… but I felt lucky.” With confidence, experience, and momentum on his side, Afriat is well-positioned to make his mark on poker history.
Michael Mizrachi Headlines Poker Elite Still in Contention
Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi rounds out the top three with 19,925,000 chips. Already a seven-time WSOP bracelet winner, including a record four Poker Players Championship titles, Mizrachi is eyeing a second Main Event final table. He previously finished fifth in 2010, and his return this deep in the field is a testament to his relentless aggression and tournament IQ.
The road ahead won’t be easy. Notables like Adam Hendrix (16.1M), Braxton Dunaway (15.7M), and Tony Gregg (10.2M) are all lurking with healthy stacks. Players like Greg Merson, the 2012 Main Event champ, may be short-stacked (3M), but bring the kind of late-stage experience few others possess.
Leo Margets: Last Woman Standing—Again
Leo Margets, the Spanish crusher and 2021 WSOP bracelet winner, once again wears the crown of “last woman standing.” With 6,400,000 chips, she’s still in the hunt and could become the first woman to reach the WSOP Main Event final table since Barbara Enright in 1995.
This is the second time Margets has been the final woman remaining in the Main Event. The first came in 2009, when she finished 27th. Sixteen years later, she’s back, experienced, composed, and quietly building a story of redemption and resilience.
Kassouf Brings the Drama—As Usual
William Kassouf, infamous for his 2016 “speech play” antics, is once again in the headlines—this time for setting what PokerGO jokingly called a record: ten clock calls in one level. At one point, tournament staff enforced a 10-second-per-decision rule on him, a rare penalty in WSOP play.
Despite the theatrics, Kassouf remains alive with 2,850,000 chips, enough to stir more drama on Day 7. His presence may polarize the poker world, but it certainly keeps the entertainment factor high.
Day 6 Eliminations: Haxton, Angelil, and More Fall
Day 6 also saw the elimination of some major poker names, including Isaac Haxton (99th), who has been one of the game’s most consistent crushers, and Rene-Charles Angelil (123rd)—son of pop icon Celine Dion—whose deep run drew massive media attention.
Others who busted include Esther Taylor (152nd), who recently placed third in the $50K Poker Players Championship, Michael Gagliano (148th), Bradley Jansen (92nd), and Colin Robinson (75th). Every one of these players contributed to the depth and drama of this year’s Main Event, and their exits set the stage for what could be a legendary final table lineup.
Day 7 Outlook: What’s at Stake?
With blinds set to start at 100,000/200,000 with a 200,000 big blind ante, and the average stack at 10.2 million (51 BBs), there’s still room for skilled maneuvering. But every pot counts.
The final nine players will lock up at least $1,000,000, with the payouts rapidly escalating:
- 🥇 1st – $10,000,000
- 🥈 2nd – $6,000,000
- 🥉 3rd – $4,000,000
- 🏅 4th to 9th – $1M to $3M+
Every decision now echoes through poker history. Will Hallaert finally complete his redemption arc? Can Afriat transition from WPT icon to WSOP champ? Will Mizrachi add a Main Event title to his already legendary resume? Or will a new face rise from the shadows to claim the ultimate poker prize?
Stay tuned. The 2025 WSOP Main Event is entering its final and most thrilling act.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event has delivered everything poker fans could dream of: elite talent, dramatic knockouts, unlikely heroes, and poker legends deep in the hunt. With just 57 players left, every hand could shift the balance of power. The drama is peaking, and BetterPokerNews will continue bringing you every twist, chip swing, and emotional breakdown from Las Vegas.
As the poker world watches, one thing is certain: history will be made.
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