Ryan Hoenig Goes Wire to Wire for Maiden WSOP Gold

It was a four-day run for the ages that brought Ryan Hoenig his maiden WSOP gold bracelet last night. The 31-year-old Colorado pro led from pillar to post for a win worth $354,444.

Event #18: $10,000 Dealers Choice Championship attracted 152 entries, with Daniel Negreanu, Scott Seiver, Phil Hui, Matt Glantz, Mike Matusow, Brain Rast and Gus Hansen among the leading stacks at the end of day one.

Phil Hellmuth was also in the mix and when the bubble burst on day two, only Hansen and the “Poker Brat” were among those assured of a payday.

There would be no bracelet for either legend, though, as Hellmuth bust in 15^th claiming, “I hate poker!” as he exited.

Gus Hansen Falls in 14th

Hansen scraped through to day 3 but bust his final few blinds early on…

In a round of PLO, Hansen was all-in and at risk against Nick Guagenti…

Gus Hansen: K♣ Q♦ J♣ J♥
Nick Guagenti: A♠ K♣ Q♠ J♠

Flop: 3♠ 8♥ K♥

Turn: 8♠

Hansen was looking to double-up but he couldn’t dodge the flush on the river…

River: 9♠

Meanwhile, Hoenig – who had led the chip counts on both days one and two, survived a rough ride to emerge once again as chip leader when day 3 ended.

An Extra Day!

A fourth day was required to separate Hoenig, Sternheimer and Smith, with $¾million still at stake and only 45 big blinds between them.

Sternheimer’s end came abruptly, Hoenig showing nut straight against straight once the Londoner had tank called on the river, with $154,460 to soften the crushing blow.

“Crazy. Exhausting. So exhilarating, so fun. I just love these games. I love to play. It’s incredible”

Heads-up was quite one-sided, Hoenig dominating slowly in Badeucey, then Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, then in PLO where Smith’s resistance finally broke…

All-in for his last 300k, the turn dealt the final blow…

Dylan Smith: K♣ 10♠ 6♥ 4♠
Ryan Hoenig: K♦ Q♠ J♦ 4♥

Flop: 9♦ 8♦ 3♣

Turn: 3♦ 

River: 5♠

…and Hoenig’s celebrations could begin…

Dealer’s choice, champion’s moment! 🏆

Ryan Hoenig locks up his first-ever WSOP bracelet and a cool $354,444 in Event #18: $10K Dealers Choice 6-Handed! 🔥🃏

From mixed games mastery to WSOP glory — what a run! #WSOP2025 pic.twitter.com/GUOBTpqATL

— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) June 6, 2025

“Crazy. Exhausting. So exhilarating, so fun. I just love these games. I love to play. It’s incredible,” was how Hoenig described the four-day slugfest afterwards.

Final results

Andrew Burnett

Professional Poker Journalist

An avid poker player, he dreams of one day playing the WSOP Main Event and has promised himself he will fold aces and kings if he gets them on the first hand to avoid front-page headlines. [more]