WSOP 2025: Main Event Bubble Bursts Dramatically as Kabrhel Chases POY Title

WSOP Paradise 2025 Poised to Break Records: Super Main Event Guarantees $60 Million!
 

Before Day 4 of the WSOP Main Event even began, organizers unveiled huge news: the winter edition of WSOP Paradise 2025 returns to Atlantis Paradise Island in the Bahamas from December 4–18, promising the largest tournament guarantee ever seen in live poker.

The $25.000 Super Main Event will feature a staggering $60 million guarantee—ten million more than last year. WSOP also announced that the official bubble finisher in the 2025 Las Vegas Main Event will walk away with a $30.000 WSOP Paradise Super Main Event package, which includes the buy-in, accommodation, meals, and exclusive perks at Atlantis Resort.

Main Event Bubble Bursts in Style: Three Eliminated in the Same Hand-for-Hand!
 

Day 4 of the WSOP 2025 Main Event brought a highly anticipated moment—the bursting of the money bubble. This time, not one but three players—Matthew Frankland, Marco Dickner, and Sachin Joshi—were eliminated simultaneously during the hand-for-hand phase. Despite missing out on a full payout, none left empty-handed.

British player Matthew Frankland, with over 3.6 million in career live earnings, became the official bubble boy—earning not only the title, but also a seat to the December WSOP Paradise Super Main Event worth $25.000. All three bubble finishers also received an equal share for placing 1,460th and 1,461st, which means each took home a $10.000 Main Event buy-in refund.

The drama didn’t end there. The bubble trio faced off in a flip for a WSOP Paradise package, with Frankland assembling a straight holding Q h 4 c, outrunning Joshi’s T c 2 s and Dickner’s 9 s 9 d.

Harold Lam Leads after Day 4 as 522 Players Remain in Contention
 

The action didn’t slow down after the dramatic bubble burst. Out of 1,476 players who began Day 4, just 522 remain heading into Day 5, led by Harold Lam, who bagged a towering 4.2 million chip stack at the end of play.

Still battling are former champions Greg Merson (1.495.000 chips) and Damian Salas (450.000). Also in contention are PPC champ Michael Mizrachi (2.270.000) and online star Viktor Blom (1.455.000). 

Kabrhel and Deeb Continue Intense Battle for Player of the Year
 

The record-breaking action is also heating up in Event #85: 50.000$ No-Limit Hold'em High Roller, which saw 194 entries on Day 1—the largest field in this event’s history. Registration remains open through the first part of Day 2, so the final tally will be set tomorrow.

Japan’s Masashi Oya leads the pack into Day 2 with 1.956.000 chips. Oya was forced to use a re-entry after busting to Daniel Negreanu, but made a successful comeback, quickly climbing to the top of the leaderboard and closing the day as chip leader.

Sitting in fourth position is Czech star Martin Kabrhel (1.514.000), whose deep run keeps him firmly in the hunt for the 2025 WSOP Player of the Year title. POY leader Shaun Deeb (374.000) is still in the field as well, looking to hold onto his lead in what’s shaping up to be a nail-biting duel between the top two contenders. This showdown is one fans will want to follow closely. 

Seventy-eight players advanced to Day 2, with a number of poker heavyweights still in the mix, including Daniel Negreanu, the Foxens (Kristen and Alex), and Joe Cada. 

Sources: WSOP, PokerNews, YouTube