In a tournament that reads like a who’s who of high-stakes poker, Kornuth has shown what separates champions from the rest. He began his campaign by defeating Anton Morgenstern, a name etched in poker lore thanks to his infamous near-final table run in the 2013 WSOP Main Event. Kornuth’s calculated aggression and superior hand reading skills were on full display.
In the second round, Kornuth faced Jan Bednar, a Czech pro with a solid online pedigree. Once again, the American controlled the pace, grinding down his opponent with small-ball precision, well-timed bluffs, and unshakable patience.
But it was the Round of 16 clash that turned heads across the poker world. Jason Koon, one of the game’s elite high rollers and the defending champion of this very event, was next. In a tightly contested match filled with mental warfare, Kornuth came out on top. A particularly telling hand involved a creative river check-raise bluff, which forced Koon off top pair. That moment flipped the narrative—Kornuth wasn’t just winning, he was dictating the script.
The Unforgiving Structure of the $25K Heads-Up Event
The $25K Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em event isn’t your typical MTT grind. This is poker in its purest form—one-on-one, with zero margin for error. A single misstep and you’re out. There’s no hiding behind a big stack, no coasting on table dynamics. You face your opponent directly, like a modern gladiator.
With a 64-player cap and a buy-in of $25,000, the field is intentionally elite. The prize pool topped $1.5 million, and with the final eight players guaranteed a minimum of $108,000, the stakes are immense. But it’s not just about the cash—winning a WSOP bracelet in a heads-up event is a badge of honor among professionals.
Who Else Is in the Mix?
Kornuth isn’t the only name eyeing the title and the $500,000 first-place prize. The final eight are a fascinating blend of new-school tacticians and seasoned crushers. Here’s a snapshot:
- David Peters – The silent assassin with over $40 million in live earnings.
- Chris Brewer – Online star turned live sensation with a ferocious playing style.
- Darren Elias – The WPT legend who brings calm calculation to every confrontation.
- Daniel Smiljkovic – The German high roller who thrives in solver-heavy formats.
- Jake Abdalla – A mixed-game expert surprising many with this No-Limit run.
- Johan “YoH ViraL” Guilbert – Charismatic French pro with a cult following.
- Alex Kulev – The Bulgarian prodigy who’s made waves in recent EPT stops.
With such a talented group remaining, the quarterfinal matchups promise to be high-level chess matches disguised as card games.
Chance Kornuth: A Legacy in Progress
At 38, Chance Kornuth has done just about everything in poker. He’s a three-time WSOP bracelet winner, a respected coach, and the founder of Chip Leader Coaching. Yet, despite all that, this deep run in one of the most prestigious WSOP events still carries weight.
Why?
Because heads-up poker demands more than GTO memorization. It’s about adaptation, intuition, and putting your opponent on tilt without them even realizing it. Kornuth excels in these areas. He’s cerebral, unpredictable, and fearless—exactly what you need to thrive in a format where every hand is a war.
A win here would be Kornuth’s fourth bracelet and arguably his most prestigious yet.
What’s Next?
As the tournament heads into the quarterfinals, the matchups will be redrawn, and tensions will reach a boiling point. All eyes will be on Kornuth as he attempts to push further toward the bracelet and the half-million-dollar prize.
The remaining rounds will play out in the coming days, with semi-finals and finals set to crown a new heads-up champion. If Kornuth keeps this momentum, the poker world could be witnessing another unforgettable chapter in his storied career.
Why This Event Matters for WSOP 2025
As poker continues to evolve—with online formats, short-deck variants, and mixed games gaining popularity—the Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship remains a sacred battleground. It’s the rawest test of skill at the WSOP 2025, and it often crowns players who are feared by peers and admired by fans.
For poker purists, this event is must-watch material. And for aspiring grinders, watching how players like Kornuth handle pressure is a masterclass in itself.
Final Thoughts
Chance Kornuth’s deep run in the $25K Heads-Up Championship is a highlight reel in the making. Whether you’re following the WSOP 2025 from Las Vegas or from the comfort of your screen, keep your eyes locked on this event. The final stages promise some of the best one-on-one poker the series has to offer—and with Kornuth still in the hunt, the drama is only beginning.
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PokerNews – Chance Kornuth Advances to Quarterfinals of 2025 WSOP $25K Heads-Up