The poker world held its collective breath and then exhaled in pure excitement as the 56th annual World Series of Poker officially kicked off in Las Vegas yesterday. After 314 days of anticipation since the last lights were switched off at the Horseshoe and Paris, the Las Vegas Strip once again became the epicenter of poker excellence, welcoming players from around the globe for what promises to be another record-breaking summer of competition.
The memories of last year’s WSOP still linger like the desert heat—piles of cash on feature tables, epic duels with eight-figure prizes, and new legends being crowned alongside celebrated veterans. But as the saying goes, that was then, and this is now. The 2025 WSOP has officially begun, and the early signs suggest we’re in for something truly special.
Mystery Millions Sets the Stage
Leading the charge into the new WSOP season was the $1,000 Mystery Millions tournament, an event that has quickly become a fan favorite since its introduction. With a guaranteed $1 million first-place prize and the added excitement of million-dollar mystery bounties awaiting Day 2 survivors, this opening event perfectly encapsulates the high-stakes drama that defines the World Series.
Day 1a attracted an impressive 1,394 entries, with players battling through 15 levels of play to reach the money and advance to Day 2. When the chips were finally bagged and counted, only 70 players remained, each carrying dreams of bracelet glory and life-changing payouts.
German player Konstantin Held emerged as the Day 1a chip leader with an imposing stack of 2,485,000 chips. Held brings impressive credentials to the table, having already captured a WSOP bracelet by winning the $500 Mini Main Event online at GGPoker in 2024 for $582,945. Closely pursuing him is five-time bracelet winner Brian Yoon from the United States with 2,410,000 chips, while Romania’s Narcis Nedelcu rounded out the top three with 2,335,000 chips, setting up what promises to be an intense battle when play resumes.
The field was studded with poker royalty, including former world champions Ryan Riess and Huckleberry Seed, along with bracelet winners Jeff Madsen and the colorful John ‘Johnny World’ Hennigan. Fan favorites like Ethan ‘Rampage’ Yau, Jeremy Ausmus, and David ‘ODB’ Baker also took their shots at opening-event glory.
Adding even more intrigue to the mix, defending champion Malcolm Trayner has entered the field himself, advancing to Day 2 with a respectable 545,000 chips. The Australian, who captured his first WSOP bracelet and $1 million in last year’s Mystery Millions, will be looking to make history by becoming the first player to successfully defend a Mystery Millions title.
Industry Employees Battle Through the Night
While the Mystery Millions grabbed much of the spotlight, the $500 Industry Employees No-Limit Hold’em tournament provided its own brand of excitement and drama. This event, traditionally reserved for those working in the gaming, hospitality, and media industries, has evolved significantly since its inception as a dealers-only tournament.
The expanded eligibility has sparked some debate within the poker community, but the field of 914 entries appeared to maintain the event’s intended spirit—providing an opportunity for the hardworking individuals who make the poker industry possible to compete for WSOP glory.
The tournament played deep into the Las Vegas night, with action continuing until 138 players reached the money in dramatic fashion. The final elimination came in heart-breaking style as Hergi Muci found himself all-in with pocket jacks against Keegan Mccann’s K-5 offsuit. After flopping a set on the turn, Muci looked destined for survival until a cruel river card gave Mccann a straight, ending Muci’s tournament in the most brutal way possible—one spot from the money.
Shaun Colquhoun emerged as the Day 1 chip leader with 895,000 chips, well ahead of Andrew Vodinh’s 686,000. Colquhoun brings relevant experience to the table, having finished fourth in this very event at the 2022 WSOP—a performance that demonstrates his comfort in this unique tournament format. These survivors will return to battle for the title currently held by Albuquerque poker dealer Jose Garcia, who claimed his first bracelet and $79,134 in last year’s edition.
Fantasy Draft Reaches New Heights
Away from the tournament tables, the annual $25,000 Fantasy Draft provided entertainment and intrigue in equal measure. Hosted once again by Daniel Negreanu and broadcast live on PokerGO’s YouTube channel, this year’s auction-style draft attracted a record 24 teams, up from 19 and 20 in the previous two years.
The bidding reached unprecedented levels, with PokerStake player Jeremy Ausmus commanding a record-breaking $141—the highest price ever paid for a single player in Fantasy Draft history. Team DPMD’s investment in Ausmus represented their entire $200 budget strategy, a bold move that could pay dividends if the talented pro delivers bracelet success.
Other marquee names commanded premium prices, with 2024 WSOP Player of the Year Scott Seiver going for $125, Brazil’s Yuri Dzivielevski fetching $119, and Daniel Negreanu himself selling for $108. Interestingly, some established stars like Erik Seidel went for bargain prices at just $13, while Allen ‘Chainsaw’ Kessler went completely undrafted for only the second time in Fantasy Draft history.
Innovation Meets Tradition
The 2025 WSOP isn’t just about preserving poker’s greatest traditions—it’s also embracing the future with technological innovations designed to enhance the player experience. The debut of the WSOP+ app represents a significant step forward, promising to streamline registration and provide comprehensive tournament coverage directly to players’ mobile devices.
While teething problems with verification processes meant some players still faced lines despite the “skip the lines” promise, the one-time verification system will streamline the experience as the series progresses. This technological evolution reflects the WSOP’s commitment to adapting to modern player expectations while maintaining the authenticity that makes the series special.
Looking Ahead: A Summer of Unprecedented Scale
The opening salvo of WSOP 2025 is just the beginning of what promises to be the most comprehensive poker series ever staged. With 100 bracelet events scheduled for the live festival, complemented by 30 online bracelet tournaments and the massive Online Championship Series featuring $5.5 million guaranteed across 172 events, the scope of this year’s WSOP is simply staggering.
The integration of online and live play across the four-state network spanning Pennsylvania, Nevada, New Jersey, and Michigan demonstrates the WSOP’s evolution into a truly hybrid poker experience. Saturday’s $400 Kick-Off event will award the first online bracelet, followed by Sunday’s $1 million guaranteed Mystery Bounty and $888 Crazy 8s tournaments.
As we settle in for what promises to be an incredible summer of poker, the early signs suggest that 2025 could surpass even last year’s record-breaking achievements. With cards now in the air and dreams taking flight, the 56th World Series of Poker has officially begun—and the poker world is watching with bated breath.
The stage is set, the players are ready, and the bracelets are waiting. Welcome to the 2025 World Series of Poker.