Have you ever wondered what it feels like to win a poker tournament with more than $700,000 at stake? Well, Nico Betbese, an emerging star in the poker world, experienced exactly that when he triumphed at the 2025 World Poker Tour (WPT) Venetian Las Vegas Championship. The Argentinian poker pro bested a fierce field of 1,153 entries in the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em event, securing the coveted title and a $706,960 cash prize.
This significant win marked Betbese’s first WPT main tour victory and added another milestone to his poker career. The event, held at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, saw the 32-year-old claim not only a substantial cash prize but also a seat at the $10,400 WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas, where the best of the best will battle it out for even more lucrative rewards. BetBese’s victory etched his name onto the prestigious Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup, a recognition that will undoubtedly open many more doors in his career.
A Breakthrough Moment for Betbese
Before his breakthrough victory at The Venetian, Betbese’s career had already been promising, though not as lucrative. His biggest prior cash was a third-place finish in a $1,700 buy-in event at the MGM Grand’s Summer Poker Festival in 2023, where he earned $121,145. However, this latest win has propelled his career to new heights, taking his total live tournament earnings to nearly $1.6 million.
What’s even more impressive is BetBese’s rise in the Card Player Player of the Year (POY) rankings. With 1,920 POY points awarded for this victory, he now finds himself sitting within the top 125 players of the 2025 POY standings, having accumulated 2,051 points so far this year. This win serves as a solid foundation for what could be a dominant year ahead.
Intense Final Day Action
The final day of the WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship was a thrilling spectacle, with six players remaining to battle for the top prize. Elvyn Bello entered the day with the chip lead, but it was Betbese who stood in second place. Action was streamed live from the Venetian Poker Studio, allowing fans worldwide to witness the high-stakes drama unfold.
Early on, the eliminations came fast and furious. The first major showdown occurred when Betbese faced Ireland’s Jamie Flynn in a coin-flip situation. Betbese’s A-K outlasted Flynn’s pocket jacks, sending the Irishman home with a respectable $169,000. From there, the action only intensified, with players like Iulian Blebea and Elvyn Bello making their exits as well, each securing impressive payouts along the way.
Heads-Up for the Championship
The final heads-up battle was set between Betbese and Francis Cruz, who had a chip lead over the Argentinian. However, Betbese wasn’t deterred and struck a deal with Cruz to adjust the payout structure, ensuring that $706,960 would go to the winner while Cruz would take home $623,540 as the runner-up.
It was during this crucial heads-up phase that Betbese started to turn the tide in his favor. His flush bested Cruz’s jacks-up, giving Betbese a significant chip lead. In the end, Betbese sealed the victory with a set of nines on the final hand, after a thrilling run-out that left Cruz with nothing but the runner-up spot.
The Final Table Results
- Nico Betbese – $706,960
- Francis Cruz – $623,540
- Oliver Bosch – $395,000
- Iulian-Remus Blebea – $295,000
- Elvyn Bello Santos – $220,000
- Jamie Flynn – $169,000
- Matthew Davenport – $130,000
- Yita Choong – $101,000
- Aditya Prasetyo – $79,000
Looking Ahead: A Rising Star in Poker
With this monumental win, Nico Betbese has proven that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of poker. His strong performance in the 2025 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship, along with his impressive rise in the POY rankings, suggests that this is just the beginning of his ascent in the poker world. As Betbese prepares for future events, including the WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas, the poker community will be watching closely to see if he can continue to build on this remarkable success.
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FAQs
1. How much did Nico Betbese win in the 2025 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship?
Nico Betbese took home a $706,960 prize for his first-place finish in the 2025 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship.
2. How many players competed in the 2025 WPT Venetian Las Vegas Championship?
A total of 1,153 players entered the $5,000 no-limit hold’em event, creating a highly competitive field.
3. What is the significance of Betbese’s win at this event?
This win marked Betbese’s first WPT main tour title and earned him a seat in the season-ending WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
4. Who were the other top finishers in the tournament?
Francis Cruz finished in second place, earning $623,540, while Oliver Bosch took third place with a prize of $395,000.
5. What are the Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points Betbese earned?
Betbese earned 1,920 POY points for his victory, propelling him into the top 125 of the 2025 POY rankings.