James Lahey Triumphs in the $1k NLH Event
Event #8: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em was everything poker fans hoped for – a strong field, an intense final day, and the tale of a player’s arduous journey to the top. With 440 entries, the competition was fierce, narrowing down to eight finalists after two grueling days.
The spotlight was on James Lahey as he steadily approached his career-defining victory. The decisive phase culminated in a heads-up match against Sebastian Crema. Lahey held firm under pressure, turned several key spots to his advantage, and never let go of the lead. His final all-in secured his victory and marked the first WSOPC ring of his career. Lahey walked away with $79,126, the largest live cash of his poker journey, along with his first WSOPC ring.
Final Table Results:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Winnings |
| 1. | James Lahey | Canada | $79,126 |
| 2. | Sebastian Crema | Canada | $52,731 |
| 3. | Scott Carragher | Canada | $36,101 |
| 4. | Christian Wallmuth | Canada | $25,220 |
| 5. | James Martin | Canada | $17,986 |
| 6. | Andy Truong | Canada | $13,100 |
| 7. | Angelo Jopek | Canada | $9,749 |
| 8. | Andrew Macdonald | Canada | $7,416 |
Sunny Lubana Wins Event #9
The next ring event was the dynamic $500 No-Limit Hold'em Progressive KO, characterized by a rapid pace, plenty of all-ins, and an enticing bounty element. The tournament concluded with an even heads-up deal, with Sunny Lubana and Kyle Dery each taking home $15,345, and Lubana officially crowned the winner.
Final Table Results:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Winnings |
| 1. | Sunny Lubana | Canada | $15,345 |
| 2. | Kyle Dery | Canada | $15,345 |
| 3. | Jakub Sujata | Canada | $8,210 |
| 4. | David Davis | Canada | $5,667 |
| 5. | Alen Bakovic | Bosnia and Herzegovina | $4,007 |
| 6. | Jordan Matsui | Canada | $2,905 |
| 7. | Brett Worton | Canada | $2,160 |
| 8. | Qiang Qiu | Canada | $1,648 |
Joel Kogan Dominates the Turbo $1,000 NLH
Fast-paced action, short levels, and minimal room for error defined Event #11: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Turbo, one of the festival's most exhilarating tournaments. Joel Kogan excelled under these conditions, delivering a convincing performance at the final table to claim the ring and $44,969. Seong Hoon Choi from South Korea took second with $29,667, while Kyle Goodwin from the host country secured third with $20,103.
Final Table Results:
| Rank | Player Name | Country | Winnings |
| 1. | Joel Kogan | Canada | $44,969 |
| 2. | Seong Hoon Choi | South Korea | $29,667 |
| 3. | Kyle Goodwin | Canada | $20,103 |
| 4. | Andrew Sabbagh | Canada | $13,996 |
| 5. | Nikola Boseovski | Canada | $10,020 |
| 6. | Matthew Osorio | Canada | $7,382 |
| 7. | David Quang | Canada | $5,601 |
| 8. | Bobby Jones | Canada | $4,381 |
The Festival's Climax Starts Today
As expected, the Main Event will draw the most attention from players and media alike. With a buy-in of $2,200, players can enter over three starting days. Day 1A kicks off today, featuring 40-minute levels and a 40,000 starting stack. All those advancing from Days 1A – 1C will meet on Sunday for Day 2, with the champion to be crowned in Monday’s finale.
Sources – WSOP+, Deerfoot Inn, PokerPro
