Las Vegas, June 28, 2025 – On Day 30 of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) 2025, the corridors of Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas weren’t just buzzing—they were roaring with stories of greatness, heartbreak, and legacy. One moment saw Michael Mizrachi hoist his record-breaking fourth $50K Poker Players Championship trophy. Another saw Alexander Wilkinson fulfill a father’s dream. And somewhere in between, poker legend Daniel Negreanu made a rare misstep that rippled across the poker world. This was poker at its most raw and riveting—a reminder of why WSOP is the pinnacle of the game.
Let’s break down the key moments and results from one of the most dramatic days at the 2025 WSOP.
Michael Mizrachi Becomes the King of the $50K Poker Players Championship
Poker fans have long known “The Grinder” as a force in mixed games, but June 28 cemented his legacy. Michael Mizrachi entered the $50,000 Poker Players Championship already tied with Brian Rast for most wins in the event’s history—three each. By the end of the day, Mizrachi stood alone.
In a masterclass performance over five days of grueling competition across multiple poker variants, Mizrachi never once dropped into the danger zone. His chip stack remained strong throughout, and when it came down to the final table, he looked every bit the champion the crowd hoped for. He pocketed $1,331,322, a fourth Chip Reese Memorial Trophy, and deafening chants of “Hall of Fame!” from the rail.
“Everything went my way this tournament,” Mizrachi said with a smile. “Probably played my best overall.”
His victory not only rewrote the history books but also elevated his already elite WSOP résumé to seven career bracelets. With names like Bryn Kenney and Esther Taylor in the mix, this was no easy feat.
$50K PPC Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Mizrachi | USA | $1,331,322 |
| 2 | Bryn Kenney | USA | $887,542 |
| 3 | Esther Taylor | USA | $595,136 |
| 4 | Andrew Yeh | USA | $413,740 |
| 5 | Joao Vieira | Portugal | $298,614 |
| 6 | Albert Daher | Lebanon | $224,077 |
| 7 | Ben Lamb | USA | $175,096 |
Notably, Esther Taylor’s third-place finish marked the highest finish ever by a woman in PPC history, breaking Melissa Burr’s previous record from 2014.
Wilkinson Delivers Emotional Victory in $10K 2-7 Triple Draw
For Alexander Wilkinson, poker is a family legacy. In the $10,000 2-7 Triple Draw Championship, he lived out a dream not just for himself, but also for his father, Wil Wilkinson, who twice final tabled the same event but never won it.
Wilkinson outlasted 141 players and defeated tough pros like Nick Schulman and Matthew Schreiber to claim his first WSOP bracelet and $333,054. As he held the gold bracelet aloft, the tears in his father’s eyes said it all.
“He’s watched me play his whole life. Now I get to watch him win,” said Wil Wilkinson, clearly emotional from the rail.
$10K 2-7 Triple Draw Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexander Wilkinson | USA | $333,054 |
| 2 | Matthew Schreiber | USA | $215,848 |
| 3 | Nick Schulman | USA | $144,431 |
| 4 | Hye Park | USA | $99,885 |
| 5 | Brian Tate | USA | $71,475 |
| 6 | Yuri Dzivielevski | Brazil | $52,985 |
The final three-handed stretch turned into a war of nerves and patience, but Wilkinson never faltered. His triumph added a deeply human note to the day’s poker fireworks.
Daniel Negreanu’s Rare Misread in the $10K PLO Championship
When Daniel Negreanu makes headlines at the WSOP, it’s usually for a deep run or a viral bluff. But in Event #72: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Championship, it was a misread hand that stunned the poker world.
Facing Mark Steinberg on Day 2, Negreanu jammed the river thinking he had two pair. Unfortunately, he didn’t.
“I misread my hand. I thought I had king-ten,” Negreanu admitted in a post-hand interview. “I would have checked.”
The moment exploded on social media, sparking conversations across the poker community. But what stood out more was his composure. No tilt. No blame. Just honesty.
This humility is what’s helped “Kid Poker” maintain his status as one of the game’s greatest ambassadors—even when he slips.
Nedelcu Tops Eight-Game Mix Leaderboard After Day 2
In the $1,500 Eight-Game Mix, Narcis Nedelcu proved that versatility still wins gold at the WSOP. Leading the remaining 14 players heading into Day 3, the Romanian pro bagged a massive 3,225,000 chips, thanks to a massive scoop in Stud Hi-Lo late in the day.
With a 789-entry field already trimmed, Nedelcu faces fierce competition from Walter Treccarichi and Jonatas Freitas, who sit second and third in chips, respectively.
Top 3 Chip Counts – End of Day 2
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narcis Nedelcu | Romania | 3,225,000 |
| 2 | Walter Treccarichi | Italy | 1,955,000 |
| 3 | Jonatas Freitas | Brazil | 1,805,000 |
Names like Ari Engel, Chad Eveslage, and Barry Greenstein fell after the money bubble, reminding fans just how tough these mixed events are.
What’s Next: Final Stretch of WSOP 2025 Begins
With just days left in the 2025 World Series of Poker, anticipation is building for the biggest showdowns yet. Here’s what fans are eagerly awaiting:
Upcoming Events
- Event #76: $10,000 Main Event – Poker’s crown jewel begins, with another record turnout expected.
- Event #74: $25,000 PLO High Roller – Pros like Ben Lamb, Shaun Deeb, and Joao Vieira are expected to battle.
- Event #75: $1,000 Ladies Championship – Could Esther Taylor make back-to-back deep runs?
Ongoing Storylines
- Phil Hellmuth’s hunt for bracelet #18 is still alive.
- Aditya Agarwal, one of India’s top poker exports, is deep in multiple events.
- Mixed game specialists like Nedelcu are starting to shine as dark horses.
Final Thoughts: A Day That Captured the Spirit of Poker
Day 30 of WSOP 2025 reminded the poker world why this series is special. From Mizrachi’s historic fourth PPC title to Wilkinson’s generational victory, and even Negreanu’s humbling misread—this was a day that revealed poker’s heart.
It’s not just about cards or chips. It’s about stories—of family, of redemption, of resilience.
With the Main Event and several high-stakes finales around the corner, the WSOP stage is set for an unforgettable finish.
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