$640 Main Event Day 1a | 2025 RPT Jackpot Junction

08-01-2025 21:11 UTC-5

Brandvold Doubles to Stay Alive

Nick Becker

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Arlie Brandvold, the 2022 RPT Player of the Year, was all in preflop and at risk in the hijack for 10,800 against Chad Knoblauch in late position.

Arlie Brandvold: 10♥8♦ All in
Chad Knoblauch: A♦K♠

The flop came 9♣6♦2♣ with Brandvold picking up additional outs with a gutshot. Brandvold pulled ahead on the 10♣ turn, pairing his ten and the 2♥ on the river earned him the much-needed double up.

The next hand, Brandvold open-shoved in late position to take down the blinds and ante.

Player	Chips	Progress
Chad Knoblauch	140,000 14,700	14,700
Arlie Brandvold	29,600 30,400	30,400

Tags: Arlie Brandvold Chad Knoblauch

08-01-2025 21:00 UTC-5

Uhlir Doubles Through Wilklow

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Nick Becker

Level 9 : Blinds 1,000/1,500, 1,500 ante

Tony Uhlir was all in preflop and at risk in middle position against Michael Wilklow in the big blind.

Tony Uhlir: 8♣8♦ All in
Michael Wilklow: 5♣5♦

The flop came K♦9♣J♦ with Uhlir still out in the lead. The turn landed the 10♠ and the river brought the 8♥, earning Uhlir the double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
Tony Uhlir	115,000 115,000	115,000
Michael Wilklow	106,000 46,000	46,000

Tags: Michael Wilklow Tony Uhlir

Level: 9

Blinds: 1,000/1,500

Ante: 1,500

08-01-2025 20:50 UTC-5

Berthelsen Gets the Best of Byers

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Nick Becker

Level 8 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Kevin Berthelsen opened the action with a raise to 2,500 and Zach Byers three-bet to 7,000. Berthelsen then four-bet to 14,000 and Byers made the call.

The flop of 8♠A♥2♣ went check-check as did the 4♥ turn. On the 6♠ river, Berthelsen put out a small bet of 3,500.

"I can't fold now, I know you're probably good," said Byers as he flicked in the call only to see the bad news when Berthelsen tabled K♦K♣ to scoop the pot.

The next hand, Berthelsen raised to 2,500 and Byers three-bet jammed for 26,200 to put himself at risk. Berthelsen made the call.

Zach Byers: A♣K♥ All in
Kevin Berthelsen: 9♦9♥

Byers pulled ahead on the 3♠10♥K♦ flop, pairing his king. The turn landed the A♠ and only a nine on the river would eliminate Byers.

The river brought exactly that - the 9♠ and Byers hit the rail in dramatic fashion.

Player	Chips	Progress
Kevin Berthelsen	207,500 147,500	147,500
Molly Mossey	69,500 77,700	77,700
Zach Byers	Busted

Tags: Kevin Berthelsen Zach Byers

08-01-2025 20:39 UTC-5

Jain Chipping Up

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Nick Becker

Level 8 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Preston Kesselring was down to about 15,000 and got it all in preflop against Paul Jain who had him covered.

Preston Kesselring: K♠Q♥ All in
Paul Jain: A♦Q♠

The board ran out 5♦4♣3♥8♠A♠ and Kesselring was sent packing.

Player	Chips	Progress
Paul Jain	120,000 60,000	60,000
Preston Kesselring	Busted

Tags: Paul Jain Preston Kesselring

08-01-2025 20:27 UTC-5

Ledeman Finds the Dream Spot

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Nick Becker

Level 8 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Dave Ledeman, the current RPT Player of the Year points leader for Dakota events, got it all in preflop in the cutoff against Jon Maras in early position who had the covering stack.

Dave Ledeman: A♠A♥ All in
Jon Maras: A♣K♣

The flop came 7♣Q♥8♥ with Ledeman still far out in the lead, but Maras was still alive with backdoor possibilities.

The turn landed the J♥, giving Maras a Broadway draw, but was unable to improve as the river rolled off the 5♣.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jon Maras	120,000 13,900	13,900
Dave Ledeman	99,000 39,000	39,000

Tags: Dave Ledeman Jon Maras

08-01-2025 20:11 UTC-5

Barnum Gets Revenge on James

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Nick Becker

Level 8 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Miles Barnum and Ronald James clashed earlier in the day where Barnum four-bet with pocket queens preflop and folded to James' five-bet shove only to be shown pocket tens. Barnum caught up with PokerNews to give a recap on how he managed to turn the tables and surpass the 100,000 chip mark.

According to Barnum, James opened with a raise and he responded with a three-bet. James then four-bet jammed for about 50,000 and Barnum made the call.

Ronald James: J♠J♣ All in
Miles Barnum: K♦K♥

The board ran out A♣6♦Q♠Q♣Q♦ and James was sent to the rail.

Player	Chips	Progress
Miles Barnum	127,000 1,000	1,000
Ronald James	Busted

Tags: Miles Barnum Ronald James

Level: 8

Blinds: 600/1,200

Ante: 1,200

08-01-2025 20:02 UTC-5

Larson's Kings Hold

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Nick Becker

Level 7 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Bruce Larson was all in and at risk for 25,500 and saw the good news when the cards were tabled.

Bruce Larson: J♣J♠ All in
Opponent: K♦K♣

Larson was far in the lead but his opponent spiked a jack on the 9♦10♠J♥ flop, improving to a set of jacks.

The Q♦ turn gave Larson a straight, and the 6♠ river saw the pot being pushed his way.

Player	Chips	Progress
Bruce Larson	53,500 53,500	53,500

Tags: Bruce Larson

08-01-2025 19:51 UTC-5

WSOP Bracelet Winner Michael Wilklow in the Mix

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Nick Becker

Level 7 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Michael Wilklow has just entered the field after the dinner break and has sat down with a fresh 60,000 starting stack.

Wilklow won his first WSOP bracelet over the summer by taking down Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions at the 2025 World Series of Poker. He navigated a field of 19,654 players and walked away with a cool $1,000,000 for his victory.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Wilklow	60,000 60,000	60,000

Tags: Michael Wilklow