2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Kenny Hallaert
Final Table Profile:
| Seat: | 2 |
| Chip Count: | 80,500,000 |
| Big Blinds: | 67 |
| Hometown: | Gent, Belgium |
| Twiter / X: | @SpaceyFCB |
Kenny Hallaert's Poker Background
Unlike many of the players at this final table, PokerStars Team Pro, Kenny Hallaert has been here before. Nine years after finishing sixth in the 2016 WSOP Main Event as a member of that year's November Nine, the Belgian is back on poker's biggest stage and aiming to go five places better.
Hallaert was once an electrician before he swapped live wires for live reads. Since turning pro, he has racked up cashes in some of the world's biggest events, including deep runs in the 2017 WSOP Europe High Roller for One Drop, the 2011 EPT Deauville Main Event, and the 2017 WSOP $5,000 No-Limit Hold 'em .
Hallaert has over $5.9 million in live tournament earnings according to The Hendon Mob. That figure has now climbed past $6 million thanks to his deep run in this 2025 WSOP Main Event, with the potential for a $10 million payday and the greatest bracelet of all still in play.
Kenny Hallaert Reacts to Making WSOP Main Event Final Table
For Kenny Hallaert, reaching a second WSOP Main Event final table is a dream he never thought he'd relive.
"Surreal... to make it twice. The first time, in 2016, was already a dream come true."
"I said to myself, if I can, I'll never miss this tournament."
A Main Event regular since 2008, Hallaert has never missed a year and always held the tournament in the highest regard.
"I said to myself, if I can, I'll never miss this tournament. Now it's my 17th time playing."
This deep run came with some nostalgic moments.
"I played with Greg Merson and Tony Gregg. Even with guys I looked up to 20 years ago, like Mike Matusow and Freddy Deeb. Watching them back on High Stakes Poker, I never imagined I'd face them — and beat them."
He finished sixth in 2016 and would love to improve on that, but he's already content.
"Anything after this is a bonus. I'm going to cherish the moment again. Back then, it was easier to prepare and fly in friends and family. Now it's trickier, but the situation is the same for everyone."
Despite the logistical challenges, Hallaert has relished every moment.
"From Day 1, I've been enjoying it. Just being at the poker table again is something I truly love."
Kenny Hallaert's Main Event Story
Hallaert entered this year’s WSOP Main Event after picking up four cashes earlier in the 2025 series. Those included small scores in the $1,500 Turbo Bounty (158th for $2,099), $1,500 Millionaire Maker (587th for $4,830), $3,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em (206th for $6,000), and the $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em (287th for $6,010).
He bagged solid stacks on Day 1b, Day 2abc, and Day 3, before enjoying a strong Day 4 that pushed him to 2,805,000 chips and 22nd in the field. After holding steady on Day 5, Hallaert vaulted to the top of the counts on Day 6 thanks to a monster three-way pot with aces against queens and jacks that left him sitting on 36,950,000 chips.
He kept control throughout Day 7, maintaining his position at the top of the leaderboard heading into Day 8 as one of the clear favorites to reach the final table.
The only problem with holding the chip lead, is that there's always a target on your back. And it didn't take long on Day 8 for Braxton Dunaway to chip away and usurp the Belgian at the top of the pile.
Hallaert arrested the slide with the elimination of Muhamet Perati in 18th place. Hallaert was never in any real danger despite heading into the unofficial final table seventh in chips, and he quickly got to work. He took from Adam Hendrix, then Braxton Dunaway and finally won two in a row against Luka Bojovic and Daehyung Lee.
He's playing his streak, and he's not afraid of taking anyone on. He sits fourth in chips and he's been here before. Who's to say he can't go the distance?
How Kenny Hallaert Got to the Final Table
| End of Day | Chips | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1b | 45,000 | 603/933 |
| 2abc | 258,000 | 292/2980 |
| 3 | 613,000 | 299/3486 |
| 4 | 2,805,000 | 22/1485 |
| 5 | 5,745,000 | 19/522 |
| 6 | 36,950,000 | 1/202 |
| 7 | 63,600,000 | 1/24 |
| 8 | 80,500,000 | 4/9 |
Click on the name for an in-depth profile of each final table player:
- Seat 1: Leo Margets
- Seat 2: Kenny Hallaert
- Seat 3: Braxton Dunaway
- Seat 4: John Wasnock
- Seat 5: Michael Mizrachi
- Seat 6: Daehyung Lee
- Seat 7: Luka Bojovic
- Seat 8: Adam Hendrix
- Seat 9: Jarod Minghini
2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Seating
| Seat | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Leo Margets | Spain | 53,400,000 | 33 |
| 2 | Kenny Hallaert | Belgium | 80,500,000 | 50 |
| 3 | Braxton Dunaway | United States | 91,900,000 | 57 |
| 4 | John Wasnock | United States | 108,100,000 | 68 |
| 5 | Michael Mizrachi | United States | 93,000,000 | 58 |
| 6 | Daehyung Lee | South Korea | 34,900,000 | 22 |
| 7 | Luka Bojovic | Serbia | 51,000,000 | 32 |
| 8 | Adam Hendrix | United States | 48,000,000 | 30 |
| 9 | Jarod Minghini | United States | 23,600,000 | 15 |
2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Payouts
| Place | Prize |
|---|---|
| 1 | $10,000,000 |
| 2 | $6,000,000 |
| 3 | $4,000,000 |
| 4 | $3,000,000 |
| 5 | $2,400,000 |
| 6 | $1,900,000 |
| 7 | $1,500,000 |
| 8 | $1,250,000 |
| 9 | $1,000,000 |
In this Series
- 1 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Leo Margets
- 2 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Kenny Hallaert
- 3 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Braxton Dunaway
- 4 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: John Wasnock
- 5 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Michael Mizrachi
- 6 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Daehyung Lee
- 7 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Luka Bojovic
- 8 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Adam Hendrix
- 9 2025 WSOP Main Event Final Table Profile: Jarod Minghini
