WSOP 2025: Wang's Miracle Chip-and-Chair, Negreanu Comes Up Short Again, and Kabrhel Eyes a Fourth Bracelet

From Five Chips to Millions: Michael Wang Produces a Legendary Comeback
 

One of the most remarkable stories of this year's WSOP unfolded in Event #75: 10.000$ Pot-Limit Omaha Championship. Michael Wang was down to just five chips—barely two-thirds of a big blind—and all but written off, yet refused to quit. Wang battled back from the brink, ultimately outlasting the field to capture his third WSOP bracelet and the biggest payday of his career: 1.394.579$. It comes less than three weeks after Wang took down an event at the Wynn Summer Classic for a then career-best 555.528$. That record didn't last long; this victory nearly tripled it.

Wang’s comeback began after losing an all-in against Erik Seidel, when most at the table had counted him out. Defying the odds, Wang survived all-in after all-in, finishing the penultimate day second in chips. On the final day, he took command at the final table and bested Michael Zulker heads-up. The finish was unforgettable, with Wang flopping the top full house against Zulker’s lower full house. That decisive hand put the exclamation mark on what may be one of the most inspirational WSOP runs in recent memory.

"It still doesn't feel real," Wang admitted after his win. "When you only have five chips left, it feels like a freeroll. There’s no pressure and nothing to lose. I actually thought it would be funny if I somehow won it all… and now that it actually happened, it’s just unbelievable."

Negreanu Nears Bracelet #8
 

Event #76: 2.500$ Mixed Big Bet provided another dose of WSOP drama as Daniel Negreanu chased an elusive eighth bracelet. Despite reaching his fifth final table this summer, "Kid Poker" could only manage a fourth-place finish this time around. 

Aaron Kupin claimed the top prize, pocketing 206.982$ and his first WSOP bracelet. Kupin started the final day as chipleader and sealed the deal by defeating two-time champion Marco Johnson heads-up. 

After a tournament that featured nine different no-limit and pot-limit formats, Kupin said the victory brought mostly relief: "When you have the chip lead all day, you start picturing yourself as the winner. And then, when you get to heads-up with a big lead, it almost feels like you have more to lose than to gain."

Martin Kabrhel on Track for Bracelet Number Four
 

After two days of action in Event #75: 1.000$ Mini Main Event, only a handful of players remain out of an original field of 10.794 entries. The spotlight is firmly on Martin Kabrhel, the three-time bracelet winner from the Czech Republic, who’s guaranteed a spot in the final five. Kabrhel sits second in chips with 166 million, making him one of the favorites for the title.

A polarizing figure in every sense, Kabrhel has now reached his fourth final table of the summer, cementing his status as one of this year’s standout performers. In the Mini Main Event, he’s the only remaining player who's already won a bracelet and by far the most experienced at this stage.

Watch WSOP Main Event 2025 Live For Free
 

The action gets underway July 2, with the Main Event final table set for July 16. Poker fans have plenty to look forward to, as PokerStars and PokerGO are teaming up to provide free live coverage of the WSOP through YouTube and Twitch streams. From July 2 to July 8, you can tune in to catch broadcasts of Main Event days 1A through day 3, all at no cost.

If you want even more coverage, the subscription service PokerGO provides expanded daily broadcasts and exclusive behind-the-scenes content. For a truly inside look at the WSOP, don’t miss Daniel Negreanu’s daily vlogs on YouTube for an authentic, first-person view from one of the greatest players in the game.

Sources: WSOP, PokerNews, YouTube