The 56th Annual World Series of Poker got off to a roaring start last night, with thousands of players descending on the Horseshoe and Paris casinos on the Las Vegas Strip for the annual poker pilgrimage.
The opening bracelet events on a schedule that will eventually crown 100 champions across every variant of the game kicked off with event #1, the $1000 buy-in Mystery Millions, and what is actually the traditional opener, event #2, the $500 buy-in Industry Employees.
The Mystery Millions attracted sone very well-known names as pros and amateurs mixed immediately in what is the biggest celebration of poker in the world.
Some big stacks in Event #1 Mystery Millions include Shaun Deeb, Eric Baldwin, Qui Nguyen, Christina Gollins, and Kyla England! #WSOP2025 #WSOPEvent1 #poker pic.twitter.com/0BJogYSHAH
— WSOP – World Series of Poker (@WSOP) May 28, 2025
Reigning champion, Malcolm Trayner, found a bag at the end of day 1a but last year’s biggest winner – Main Event. Champion Jonathan Tamayo – failed to make the cut.
Five-time WSOP bracelet winner Brian Yoon was close to the top of the chip counts, with German Konstantin Held in the lead. Before anyone returns for day 2, there are another four starting flights to come.
Bubble bursts in Employees Shindig
Event #2, the $500 buy-in Industry Employees event had looked like being controversial a few weeks back when it seemed that all manner of poker pros might be eligible on the back of ‘content creation’ credentials.
Those fears proved unfounded, however, and the mix of dealers, casino staff, and poker media looked much as usual.
914 entries produced a prizepool of $402,617, with a min. cash worth $1,006 and 138 spots paid. That number was reached late in the day when the bubble burst…
Hergi Muci: J♥ J♦
Keegan McCann: K♣ 5♦
Muci was all-in and at risk, his soon-to-be executioner telling him: “If you have an ace, you’re good,” as they waited to table the cards.
He didn’t, but the jacks held up on the flop…
Flop: 6♥ 4♠ 7♣
Turn: J♣
Muci’s cheer for his trips turned sour when the river appeared…
River: 8♠
As day 2 kicks off, the champion can expect a $64k+ payday and bragging rights. In addition, several more events have started, event #3, a $5k NLH 8-handed and event #4, $1500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or better.
WSOP events you can look forward to!
Some big starting dates for your diary as a player or fan of the WSOP below:
| May 30 | Event #7: $25,000 Heads Up Championship |
| June 2 | Event #14: $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed |
| June 4 | Event #19: $500 COLOSSUS |
| June 7 | Event #32: $50,000 High Roller |
| June 15 | Event #46: $250,000 Super High Roller |
| June 18 | Event #53: $1,500 Millionaire Maker |
| June 24 | Event #66: $50,000 Poker Players Championship |
| June 29 | Event #75: $1,000 Mini Main Event |
| July 12 | Event #94: $10,000 NLH Championship (MAIN EVENT) |
We will be bringing you all the very best of the action on and off the table in Vegas so be sure to check in and favourite your WSOP Hub to keep on top of the latest news, views and gossip.
