In one of the most riveting narratives of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP), two poker giants—Viktor “Isildur1” Blom and Daniel Negreanu—have found themselves locked in a high-stakes showdown for the prestigious Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. With $470,437 reserved for the winner and a golden bracelet at stake, poker fans around the globe are fixated on this final table clash.
From Internet Mystery to WSOP Chip Leader: The Rise of Viktor Blom
Back in the late 2000s, the poker world was shaken by a mysterious Swedish phenom named Isildur1, who appeared on Full Tilt Poker’s high-stakes cash game tables, battling legends like Phil Ivey and Tom Dwan. Today, that man, Viktor Blom, holds the chip lead on Day 3 of Event #9 at the 2025 WSOP.
Blom has come close before, making five WSOP final tables, but the elusive bracelet has always slipped through his fingers. Now, with 4,020,000 chips, he is in pole position to finally convert his online legacy into WSOP gold.
The Comeback Story: Daniel Negreanu Eyes Back-to-Back Bracelet Years
For Daniel Negreanu, the stakes are both personal and professional. After ending a 12-year bracelet drought in 2024, the Canadian poker ambassador is gunning for another piece of hardware in 2025. Coming into Day 3 as chip leader with 3,205,000 chips, Negreanu looked poised to dominate.
But poker is a game of momentum. Midway through the day, Negreanu slipped in the counts, eventually landing just behind Blom and Ryan Bambrick. Yet, with his deep experience and tournament instincts, Negreanu remains a serious contender heading into the final table.
More than just a title, the win would boost Negreanu’s standing in the $25K Fantasy Poker League, where he famously drafted himself. A bracelet here could be the edge he needs to take that fantasy trophy home too.
Final Table Chip Counts – The Top 5
| Rank | Player | Country | Chips |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Viktor Blom | Sweden | 4,020,000 |
| 2 | Ryan Bambrick | USA | 3,250,000 |
| 3 | Daniel Negreanu | Canada | 3,205,000 |
| 4 | Hunter McClelland | USA | 1,300,000 |
| 5 | Ofir Mor | USA | 1,190,000 |
Who Else Cashed?
The field started with 217 entrants, and many notables fell short of the final table but still made the money. Among them:
- Ben Lamb (9th, $37,110): Two-time bracelet winner and fantasy favorite.
- Joao Vieira (11th, $30,060): One of Portugal’s top players and a three-time WSOP champion.
- Julien Martini (31st, $20,280): Four-time bracelet winner and 2025 ODB Bonus Player.
- Jeremy Ausmus (27th, $20,280): The six-time WSOP winner continued his consistent series.
- Robert Mizrachi, David “ODB” Baker, and David “Bakes” Baker all made deep runs but missed the final nine.
A total of 33 players were paid, with a minimum payout of $20,280. The tournament saw mixed-limit Omaha action at its finest, testing players’ split-pot reading and calculation abilities under pressure.
WSOP 2025: A High Stakes Theatre of Legends
This final table is more than a tournament—it’s a generational clash. On one side, the enigmatic online legend Viktor Blom, who once swung millions in a single night. On the other, Daniel Negreanu, the face of modern poker, vlogger extraordinaire, and strategic mastermind.
Should Negreanu win, he would join the rarefied company of 8-time bracelet winners, edging closer to Phil Hellmuth’s legendary 17-bracelet record. For Blom, a win would be redemption—proof that his talents transcend digital felt.
Meanwhile, Ryan Bambrick, the Day 1 chip leader, is still in contention with 3,250,000 chips. Already a WSOP champion, he’s proven he can navigate these fields and might just play spoiler to the two poker superstars.
Prize Pool Breakdown – Final Table
| Place | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|
| 1st | $470,437 |
| 2nd | $313,615 |
| 3rd | $216,223 |
| 4th | $152,315 |
| 5th | $109,679 |
| 6th | $80,772 |
| 7th | $60,866 |
| 8th | $46,957 |
| 9th | $37,110 |
The action is expected to pause after reaching 4-5 players and resume the following day for the final showdown. With multiple WSOP champions at the table, every pot has the weight of history.
Final Thoughts
As the 2025 WSOP progresses, stories like this one highlight what makes the series legendary—iconic players, shifting narratives, and the thrill of poker at its highest level. Whether it’s Viktor Blom finally seizing his first bracelet or Daniel Negreanu etching his name even deeper into the history books, Event #9 is already a classic.
Stay tuned to BetterPokerNews as we continue our coverage of the WSOP 2025, bringing you the biggest stories, deepest runs, and breakout stars from the tables of Las Vegas.
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