WSOP 2025 Mid-Series Mayhem: Bracelets, Breakouts & Billion-Dollar Dreams

The World Series of Poker 2025 is in full swing, and Las Vegas has never looked this electric. From June’s earliest hands to its heated midpoint, the action has delivered everything poker fans could ask for from comebacks, coolers, career-defining runs, and a little bit of Phil Ivey magic. Whether you’re grinding cash games in Cape Town or bluffing your mates during late-night tourneys in Jozi, this WSOP is shaping up to be one for the record books. So grab your coffee, stack those virtual chips, and dive into the wildest, weirdest, and most wonderful highlights from the felt so far.

Women’s Poker Week: A Spotlight on Power, Presence & Prestige

Summer in Vegas isn’t just about bracelets, it's about building the poker community. Women’s Poker Week kicks off June 17, spanning the Golden Nugget, MGM Grand, Venetian, South Point, and culminating in the $1,000 WSOP Ladies Championship from 26–29 June. Expect satellites, Omaha 8 events, meet-ups, mixers, a $2,500 High Roller with a $100K guarantee.

Meanwhile, Dusti Smith recently took down the $3,000 Ladies High Roller at the Wynn, pocketing $61,335 in the largest women-only buy-in event ever held live. A landmark moment for women’s poker and a powerful reminder that the field is more competitive, talented, and hungry than ever.

Player Moments That Had Us on the Edge of Our Seats

Nick Schulman Wins His 7th Bracelet

In a performance that oozed class and control, Nick captured his seventh WSOP bracelet in the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship (Event #30), banking $497,356. A master of mixed games, Schulman bested a final table that included the likes of Darren Elias, Dan Smith and Ben Yu. It was a performance of patience and precision, Schulman played like a man who has seen it all, and then some.

A legacy setting win as one of the game’s all-time greats and further solidifies his status as a dominant force in non-hold'em formats.

Jason Duong’s Gritty Comeback in Event #33

In the $1,500 Limit Hold’em Event #33, Jason Duong delivered one of the most inspiring moments. Down to a final few chips, he clawed his way back in and claimed $130,000 and his first bracelet. Lucky run? No, it was a showcase of discipline, patience, and mental fortitude. Limit Hold’em might not grab headlines like its no-limit cousin, but Duong made sure this final table won’t be forgotten.

Chang Lee’s High Roller Breakthrough

The $25K High Roller field was stacked with elite pros. Standing tall at the end was Chang Lee, who bagged $1.95 million and his first WSOP bracelet!

Lee made soul-testing decisions with millions on the line, and walked away with a career-defining win. Nosebleeds, beware there’s a new name to fear.

Jason Koon: Legacy Mode Activated

What’s cooler than winning $2 million? Doing it with style while rewriting the record books. Koon clinched his second bracelet and jumped to third on the WSOP all-time money list after dominating the $50K High Roller (Event #32).

Calm, calculated, and clinical as Jason played like a man chasing not just money, but history.

What’s Still to Come? With the Main Event on the horizon and dozens of bracelets still up for grabs, there’s plenty of poker drama ahead. We’ve seen Cinderella stories, high-roller slugfests, and serious leaderboard shakeups but the biggest swings might still be coming.

Final Thought: Who's the Next South African Bracelet Hopeful? Maybe it’s someone reading this on their lunch break. Maybe it’s a Sunday grinder knee-deep in the Super Sunday or Sunday Slam. The World Series isn’t just for the high-rollers but it’s for anyone who believes in their game, their grind, and their gut.

Lets get your thoughts?

Who’s Been Your Favorite WSOP Breakout of 2025?

• Kenneth Kim
• Ryan Bambrick
• Yosef Fox
• Jason Duong

WSOP is More Than a Tournament, It’s a Movement. Stay tuned to our socials and Blog to keep tabs on all the latest from the 2025 WSOP #WSOP2025 #TeamPokerbet #Pokerbet

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