GGPOKER

The Stage Is Set

The familiar mix of anticipation and anxiety hangs thick in the air at Paris and Horseshoe, mixing with the scent of fresh felt, coffee, and that indefinable Vegas aroma of dreams deferred and fortunes about to be made. It’s 11 AM on a Tuesday in July, and the World Series of Poker Main Event has officially begun its 2025 chapter.

Day 1A – the first battle in poker’s most prestigious tournament – carries a weight that’s almost tangible. You can feel it in the way players shuffle chips with practiced precision, in the hushed conversations between those who’ve been planning this moment for months, and in the rhythmic click-click-click of thousands of chips being nervously riffled by hands that have seen everything the game can throw at them.

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The sounds are intoxicating if you know what to listen for. The gentle whoosh of cards being dealt across green felt, the occasional pop of a chip hitting the felt with authority, the soft murmur of “call”, “raise”, and “all in”, creating a symphony that builds throughout the room. Somewhere in the distance, a cocktail server’s heels clack against the floor, and the soft hum of the hundreds of conversations all mixing together, drowning out the screams of joy and wails of anguish from nearly 1,000 hopefuls.

But it’s the energy that really tells the story. Walk through the rooms and you’ll see it in their faces – some relaxed and conversational, others already laser-focused, eyes scanning opponents like hawks circling prey. The recreational players fidget with their chips, still processing the reality that they’re sitting in the same tournament as poker legends. The pros maintain their practiced composure, but even they can’t completely hide the flutter of excitement that comes with Day 1 of the Main Event, everyone believing that this year will be their year.

Legends at the Felt

And speaking of legends, so many turned out for day 1A: Billy Baxter, the sports betting icon turned poker luminary, sitting with the posture of someone who’s been doing this longer than most of his opponents have been alive. Steve Zolotow, the mathematician turned poker theorist, studies his cards with the same intensity he once brought to Wall Street. Bobby Baldwin – the man who won this very tournament back in 1978 – carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who’s already climbed poker’s highest mountain.

The younger generation is well-represented too. Scott Blumstein, the 2017 champion, looks comfortable in his element, while Adrian Mateos brings that smooth European style that’s served him so well in high-roller events worldwide. Kevin Martin, Kevin MacPhee and Chris Klodnicki represent the online-to-live crossover success stories, players who’ve mastered both digital and felt battlegrounds.

Then there are the pros who turned to teaching, Jonathan Little and Andrew Black, who’ve both won more than their share, and deservedly so. They probably coached more Main Event hopefuls than anyone else in the room. There’s something poetic about watching the teachers compete alongside their students in poker’s ultimate examination as they all clamour their way to the height of poker prestige.

KMart rocking out the GG look on Day 1A of the Main Event.

Enter Andy Stacks

One of the most intriguing stories developing in this sea of familiar faces and fresh blood belongs to a player who embodies the modern poker journey. Andy Tsai, better known to the online world as “Andy Stacks”, sits stoically at his table, his demeanor giving nothing away about the remarkable path that brought him here, nor is he phased sitting immediately to the left of seven-time bracelet winner, Billy Baxter.

For those who follow the online poker scene, Andy Stacks needs no introduction. His poker exploits have become what we all dream of, and his transition from small ball poker to the biggest Texas Hold’em games in the world represents everything exciting about poker. But for all his accolades and popularity, there’s something different about seeing him here, in the flesh, surrounded by the controlled chaos of Day 1A.

As the tournament director’s voice echoes through the Room – “Shuffle up and deal!” – you can almost hear the collective intake of breath from the nearly thousand players. Some will be going home tonight. Others will advance to Day 2, one step closer to the final table and the first-place prize that awaits.

Players as the actions starts on Day 1A of the Main Event inside the Main Room at Horseshoe

Andy Stacks

During the last break of the day, we caught up with Andy Tsai away from the tables. Still riding the adrenaline of the opening levels, he was gracious enough to share his thoughts on the WSOP, what it means to represent GGPoker, and some other fun topics. 

GGShawn: Hi Andy, thank you for taking the time to sit with me today. 

Andy Stacks: No problem at all Shawn. Just happy you waited until the break.

GGS: You were looking very intense sitting there, and I didn’t want to interrupt your mojo. I know you don’t have a lot of time, so let’s just get to it. You were one of the stars in the Game of Gold. How was it?

AS: It was good. Certainly a different way to play poker, and the team aspect was certainly unique. I would have liked it more if I had won.

GGS: That makes sense, but good to hear you enjoyed. During one of the interviews, you said you were primarily a cash game player. How do you think that affects your play during the World Series of Poker?

AS: Well, I think the biggest problem I have is in the later stages, especially if I’m sitting with a short stack against the higher blinds. During a cash game, if you are running short, you just top up. In a tournament, that’s all you get. 

GGS: That’s a great insight, something I should probably remember. Speaking of the World Series of Poker, how long have you been playing the Main Event?

AS: Well, I’ve been coming down to the WSOP for about 15 years, but usually play the side events. I think this is the fifth or sixth time I’ve played the Main.

GGS: So you’re playing Day 1A. Any particular reason?

AS: Yes. I chose Day 1A so if I didn’t survive, I would be able to head home a few days early.

GGS: That sounds like the right move. I’m guessing that means if you’re knocked out of the main, that will be all for you at the WSOP this year?

AS: Unfortunately, yes, but I really am looking forward to going home.

GGS: I do understand that. This was the first year using the WSOP+ app in Las Vegas. What are your thoughts on it?

AS: Absolutely amazing! GGPoker did a great job with it. Line-ups are minimized, payments are streamlined, and I can look up stats on the other players at my table. I do wish they had a bit more history of the other players, but the app overall is great.

GGS: I used it for the first time too, and fully agree with you on that. I have one more big question for you and a couple other fun ones. You ready?

AS: Go for it.

GGS: What does being a GG Ambassador mean to you?

AS: To me, it is a way for me to grow the game. Poker has given me so much over the years. Not just financially, but personally. It’s helped to teach me discipline, bankroll management, how to handle variance, and honestly, it’s connected me with some of the best people I’ve ever met. Being a GG Ambassador means I get to pay that forward.

GGS: Wow, that’s an amazing perspective. It’s quite honestly refreshing to hear. On to the fun questions. If you could play poker against anyone, anytime, who would it be?

AS: Oh, that’s a good question. I think I would play Albert Einstein. I’d love to see how someone who is super intelligent takes to the game and builds their strategies.

GGS: I wasn’t even thinking about outside the poker world, but I think I want to join you at that game. Next question, who is the most famous non-poker player you have ever played?

AS: Probably Leonardo DiCaprio. There was one hand, he beat me flush over flush and honestly looked like he felt bad about it. It was a good game.

GGS: And last question: Who, in your opinion, is the All Time G.O.A.T.?

AS: Oh, it’s got to be Ivey. He’s just incredible.

GGS: Good to know. Well, thank you for time Andy. It was a pleasure to meet you and hope you have a deep run.

AS: Thank you Shawn. It was nice meeting you too.

Andy Stacks in the Game of Gold

The Final Level

As Andy and the rest of the field head back to the table for the final level of Day 1A, the tournament floor continues its relentless march toward the money. By the time the final hand is dealt tonight, many of today’s field will have punched their ticket to Day 2. The others will be making that long, contemplative walk to the rail, their Main Event dreams deferred for another year. 

But Day 1A is just the beginning. Tomorrow brings Day 1B, with another thousand or more hopefuls ready to chase their own piece of poker history. The poker rooms of the Horseshoe and Paris will reset, the dealers will shuffle fresh decks, and the symphony will begin anew. 

Until then, may the cards fall your way.

 

Article written by: Shawn Altbaum
All photographs were taken by Tim Ash and are owned and are the exclusive property of GGPoker.