Las Vegas, May 2025 – The opening chords of the World Series of Poker 2025 have struck, and they’ve done so with a crescendo of excitement. Amid the neon glare of the Horseshoe Las Vegas and the pressure-filled atmosphere of poker’s most iconic festival, a rising Canadian star, Kevin Li, etched his name into the WSOP history books by winning the first bracelet awarded this year. And not just any bracelet — this one came in the prestigious $5,000 Champions Reunion No-Limit Hold’em event, a tournament that attracted a mix of Main Event legends, elite grinders, and hungry aspirants.
In doing so, Li not only banked $408,468, his largest live cash to date, but also sent a clear message to the global poker community: a new generation is here, and it’s fearless.
A Victory Written in Patience, Precision, and Pressure
For Kevin Li, this wasn’t just another poker tournament — it was a proving ground. The Champions Reunion was introduced as a throwback event, honoring former Main Event winners who carried $10,000 bounties on their heads. Think of it as a modern-day coliseum where past champions were hunted, and newcomers had to earn every chip with blood, skill, and courage.
From the moment the first card was dealt, Kevin Li played with a rare combination of discipline and daring. Unlike many others who got swept up in bounty fever and busted out chasing glory too early, Li remained focused. He navigated 493 entries, each one hungry, each one eager to set the tone for the summer.
He didn’t do it with flashy bluffs or reckless aggression. Instead, he picked his spots, adjusted expertly to table dynamics, and leaned into deep fundamentals honed over years of online and live play. This wasn’t a lucky run. It was textbook tournament poker — with a masterclass in final table composure.
The Road to the Final Table
Kevin Li’s deep run began like many others — a solid Day 1 performance that left him with an average stack and a cautious mindset. But as Day 2 unfolded and the bounties started falling, his chip stack quietly swelled. A key double-up late in the day vaulted him into contention, and by the time the final two tables formed, it was clear: Li wasn’t just along for the ride — he was a serious threat.
At the final table, he faced a murderer’s row of experienced pros: Maxime Chilaud, Shannon Shorr, Faraz Jaka, and Mike Holtz, among others. Each had a strong resume, each capable of playing fearless poker under lights. But it was Kevin Li who kept control of the tempo.
When it came down to heads-up, it was Kevin Li vs Maxime Chilaud — and the battle didn’t last long. On the final hand, Li’s pocket kings stood firm against a flush draw, and with that, the arena erupted. One moment, he was quietly grinding. The next, he was a WSOP bracelet winner, holding the trophy aloft in front of a stunned but admiring crowd.
Final Table Payouts: WSOP 2025 Champions Reunion
| Place | Player | Payout |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | Kevin Li (Canada) | $408,468 |
| 2nd | Maxime Chilaud | $272,034 |
| 3rd | Mike Holtz | $187,177 |
| 4th | Shannon Shorr | $130,831 |
| 5th | Daniel Neilson | $93,960 |
| 6th | Faraz Jaka | $68,460 |
| 7th | Jack Sinclair | $51,528 |
| 8th | Kevin Calenzo | $41,244 |
| 9th | John Racener | $34,396 |
Who Is Kevin Li?
Kevin Li may not be a familiar name to casual poker fans — at least not yet. But in Canada’s tight-knit poker community and among those who follow online high-stakes MTTs, Li has been a known force for years. He’s built his reputation brick by brick — with deep online scores, final tables in regional tours, and a work ethic that separates grinders from champions.
Born and raised in Vancouver, Li began his poker journey as a teenager fascinated by the mental warfare of No-Limit Hold’em. He studied relentlessly, devoured strategy videos, and logged thousands of hands online. Over time, he evolved from a low-stakes volume grinder into a respected presence at mid- and high-stakes tournaments both online and offline.
What makes Li special isn’t just his skill — it’s his mindset. Those close to him describe him as “calm, strategic, and obsessively prepared.” He doesn’t tilt easily. He doesn’t chase results. He sticks to the process, whether it’s studying solver outputs or replaying final tables hand-by-hand.
His WSOP 2025 win isn’t a fluke. It’s the inevitable reward of years of invisible grind.
A Defining Moment — And What Comes Next
Winning the first bracelet of the WSOP carries symbolic weight. It sets the tone. It grabs headlines. But more than that, it unlocks a new chapter in a player’s life. For Kevin Li, this bracelet is validation — but also ignition. With a win this big, he’ll now face tougher fields, media scrutiny, and newfound expectations.
Fortunately, he seems ready. In post-game interviews, Li spoke with quiet confidence, noting how surreal the moment felt — but also how prepared he was to step into it. He credited his team, his study partners, and his mentors, showing gratitude and humility rare in the ego-driven world of poker.
And while the poker world has already moved on to the next events — the Gladiators, the High Rollers, the Ladies Championship — one name continues to echo in the halls of Horseshoe: Kevin Li.
Reactions from the Poker World
The victory didn’t go unnoticed. Twitter lit up with congratulations, with fellow players like Mike Holtz tweeting:
“Kevin played solid as hell. Well-deserved win. Watch out for him this summer.”
Others praised Li’s technical play and emotional discipline. Even WSOP officials took note, posting a congratulatory message that highlighted how the Champions Reunion event had truly found its champion.
Why This Win Matters Beyond the Money
Kevin Li’s triumph isn’t just a feel-good story — it’s a reminder of how far poker has evolved. He represents a new generation of players raised on solvers, bankroll management, and constant study. But he also brings something more: a grounded approach, an understanding of variance, and a respect for the game’s history.
In a field that included former Main Event winners like Greg Merson and Ryan Riess, Li didn’t just survive — he conquered.
Final Thoughts
The first bracelet of the World Series of Poker 2025 now belongs to Kevin Li, and with it, the spotlight. But if you ask him, the journey is just beginning. There are dozens more events this summer, and you can bet Li won’t be content with just one piece of WSOP gold.
He came to Vegas not just to compete — but to build a legacy.
Credits
Source: CardPlayer.com – Kevin Li Wins First World Series of Poker Bracelet Awarded in 2025
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