The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is proving once again why it’s the most prestigious and electrifying poker festival in the world. Day 12 brought all the energy of a Sunday in Las Vegas—with bracelet dreams, High Roller pressure, and one of the largest live tournament fields in the series grinding down to size.
From Mike Matusow‘s quest to finally silence critics with a fifth bracelet, to Xixiang Luo’s shot at back-to-back Bomb Pot glory, and the $25K High Roller stacked with elite crushers, Sunday’s action was poker at its peak.
The Mouth Returns: Matusow One Step From Glory
Few names elicit as much nostalgia and controversy as Mike “The Mouth” Matusow. A four-time WSOP bracelet winner and poker icon from the boom era, Matusow has endured health battles, financial struggles, and long stretches without major results. But if there’s one thing he never lost, it’s his fire.
Entering Day 3 of Event #25: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship, Matusow sits fourth in chips, just behind Adam Friedman and Dan Heimiller, both of whom also have multiple WSOP titles. Topping the leaderboard is Chino Rheem, who’s eyeing his first WSOP bracelet despite an illustrious career across the WPT and international events.
What makes this final table captivating is not just the prize money—but the narratives. Matusow’s redemption arc. Friedman’s chase for a fifth bracelet. Heimiller’s second title of the summer. And poker Hall of Famer Mori Eskandani, the producer-turned-player still fighting in his 70s.
Negreanu’s deep run added to the drama. Despite battling back from a short stack, Daniel Negreanu busted in 11th after a showdown with Qiang Xu. The Canadian legend remains without a bracelet since 2013—same as Matusow.
As “The Mouth” famously said in 2005: “I might be broke, but I’m not broken.” He now has a chance to prove it.
A Bomb Pot Specialist? Luo Eyes Repeat Victory
In an event built for chaos and creativity, Xixiang Luo continues to dominate the bomb pot format. Last year’s inaugural winner of the double board event is once again leading the field in Event #24: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Double Board Bomb Pot.
This year’s version has tweaked the structure—now every hand is a bomb pot, removing the No-Limit Hold’em element and plunging players into full PLO madness. If Luo pulls off the repeat, it would mark one of the rarest back-to-back feats in WSOP history—especially in a novelty event with such variance.
Trailing closely behind are Samuel Stranak and Brian Smith, with Ian Matakis—the 2023 WSOP Player of the Year—also in contention. The final 13 players return with a minimum payday of $14,748, but everyone’s eyes are on the $290,400 up top and the prestige of winning poker’s wildest tournament.
$25K High Roller: Mustafov Leads the Sharks
The $25K High Roller is always a spectacle, and Event #26 hasn’t disappointed. With 300 entries already logged, the prize pool has surpassed $7 million, and with late registration open for the first level of Day 2, more entries are expected.
The Day 1 chip leader is Fahredin Mustafov, a seasoned high-stakes pro from Bulgaria. Known more for his quiet confidence than his media appearances, Mustafov now finds himself ahead of a terrifying lineup of crushers:
- Cherish Andrews, one of the top female players in the world
- David Peters, a High Roller legend with over $45M in live earnings
- Joey Weissman, a consistent deep runner on the WSOP circuit
- Alex and Kristen Foxen, poker’s power couple, both advancing with deep stacks
- Stephen Chidwick, Mustapha Kanit, John Juanda, and others lurking behind
For many, this is the most anticipated Day 2 field of the summer. With talent stacked at every table, every decision is magnified. Expect fireworks as the money bubble approaches and bracelet dreams collide.
Big O Bubble Bursts – Rodgers Ahead, Liberto Lurking
Event #27: $1,500 Big O—a five-card Omaha variant that has grown in popularity—is down to 207 players after a bubble-bursting Day 1. Michael Rodgers holds the overnight chip lead with 654,000, followed closely by Stephen Hubbard, Joshua Thatcher, and Justin Liberto.
Liberto’s presence is especially intriguing. He won a bracelet back in 2015 and has since built a reputation as a strong mixed game player. If he gets going, the Big O final table could turn into a masterclass.
Players will return to play down to the final five, with the winner eventually taking home $297,285. It’s a big payout for a small buy-in—and an even bigger spotlight for anyone looking to make their WSOP name in a non-Hold’em event.
The Colossus Lives Up to Its Name: Deeb Among Survivors
Event #19: $500 COLOSSUS always delivers on size, and this year is no exception. After four starting flights and over 16,000 entries, 2,326 players have advanced to Day 2.
Stephanie Alderman leads the Day 1d survivors with a monstrous 1.6 million chips. But the headlines will belong to Shaun Deeb, who bagged a top-five stack after Day 1d. The five-time bracelet winner is one of the best closer-game players in poker and has a legitimate shot to go deep.
Other notables moving on include:
- Jeremy Becker, the rising American pro
- Yuliyan Kolev, a former bracelet winner from Bulgaria
- Eddie Sabat, Lily Kiletto, and Roberto Romanello
With a huge field, a massive prize pool, and multiple days to go, the Colossus remains one of the best stories in poker—where grinders and dreamers battle side by side for life-changing money.
Sunday Lineup: What’s Happening on Day 13?
Expect non-stop action as WSOP Day 13 kicks off with seven events in play:
- Final Table: $10K Seven Card Stud – Will Matusow finally win his 5th bracelet?
- Final Table: $1,500 Bomb Pot – Can Luo make back-to-back history?
- Day 2: $25,000 High Roller – Mustafov, Foxen, Peters & more
- Day 2: $1,500 Big O – Rodgers leads, Liberto chasing
- Day 2: $500 Colossus – 2,326 remain
- New Events: Three brand-new bracelet events kick off, expanding the action across both Paris and Horseshoe
If Day 12 is any indicator, the drama is just beginning.
Final Thoughts
The WSOP is where legacies are written and rewritten. On Day 12, Mike Matusow finds himself once again with chips and a shot, silencing his doubters with every hand played. But he’s not alone. Legends, breakout players, and fearless newcomers are battling on every table.
Whether it’s a $500 Colossus flight or a $25,000 High Roller, every chip matters. And every day, we’re reminded why the World Series of Poker is the ultimate poker proving ground.
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PC Rachel Kay Winter and Rachel Kay Winters