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

08-02-2025 22:13 UTC-6

Abby Merk Left Corporate Job to Become One of Poker's Top Creators

Nick Becker

Level 12 : Blinds 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante

Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

In the 32nd episode, Connor talks with Global Poker Award-winning content creator Abby Merk about growing up in Chicago, studying philosophy at Wake Forest University, leaving her corporate job to become one of poker's top creators, playing her first World Series of Poker in 2021, making a goal to post daily content and being nominated for two Global Poker Awards.

Merk also talks about battling with high-stakes pro Stephen Chidwick in the WSOP Main Event and being at the final table for a 2023 controversy over a man winning a ladies poker tournament in Florida.

Watch the Latest Life Outside Poker!

Level: 12

Blinds: 2,000/4,000

Ante: 4,000

08-02-2025 22:06 UTC-6

Kippels Gets Bailed Out

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Nick Becker

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Chad Nieland limped under the gun and action folded around to Tony Kippels in the small blind who completed. Michael Dehen then made it 10,000 to go in the big blind and Nieland made the call. Kippels responded with a three-bet jam for 79,500 to put himself at risk. Dehen thought for a moment before making the call and Nieland got out of the way.

Tony Kippels: K♥10♦ All in
Michael Dehen: A♥10♣

Dehen was in great shape to scoop the pot, having Kippels dominated. That was until the dealer fanned out the K♣A♦K♠ flop, improving Kippels to trip kings.

Dehen still had outs with an ace but was unable to improve as the board ran out 2♠, 6♠.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Dehen	261,500 70,500	70,500
Tony Kippels	165,000 165,000	165,000
Chad Nieland	90,000 30,000	30,000

Tags: Chad Nieland Michael Dehen Tony Kippels

08-02-2025 21:53 UTC-6

Reid Wins a Flip to Double Up

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Nick Becker

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Terence Reid got it all in preflop from under the gun for 43,500 against Kevin McMahon in the big blind who had the covering stack.

Terence Reid: Q♦Q♣ All in
Kevin McMahon: A♥K♣

It was a fair fight and Reid remained in the lead on the 2♥10♥10♣ flop. The J♥ turn and 7♣ river offered no help to McMahon and the pot was pushed Reid's way.

Player	Chips	Progress
Terence Reid	91,500 31,500	31,500
Kevin McMahon	62,000 2,000	2,000

Tags: Kevin McMahon Terence Reid

08-02-2025 21:48 UTC-6

Houangvahn Doubles Again

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Nick Becker

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Miles Barnum opened the action with a raise to 8,000 in middle position and Anthony Houangvahn three-bet jammed in the hijack for 38,500. Chandra Kontham then reshoved in the small blind and Barnum got out of the way.

Anthony Houangvahn: A♥K♦ All in
Chandra Kontham: A♣Q♣

The flop came J♦A♦9♣ with Houangvahn's ace-king still in the lead. The turn landed the J♠ and the river brought the 8♠ and Houangvahn's king kicker was in play to earn him the double up.

Player	Chips	Progress
Chandra Kontham	257,000 85,000	85,000
Anthony Houangvahn	92,500 34,500	34,500
Miles Barnum	73,000 23,000	23,000

Tags: Anthony Houangvahn Chandra Kontham Miles Barnum

08-02-2025 21:39 UTC-6

Weber Eliminates Perkerewicz

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Nick Becker

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

Action folded around to Richard Perkerewicz on the button who moved all in for 15,000. Jason Weber reshoved for 30,500 in the small blind and the player in the big blind got out of the way.

Richard Perkerewicz: 10♠9♥ All in
Jason Weber: A♥Q♥

The flop came K♦Q♣6♣ with Weber improving to a pair of queens and Perkerewicz picking up a gutshot. The 2♠ turn and 10♦ river locked up the win for Weber.

Perkerewicz was in search of the $2,000 double bag bonus having finished Flight A with 275,000. He will be back in action tomorrow for Day 2.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jason Peterson	449,000 272,500	272,500

Jason Weber	51,500 81,300	81,300
Richard Perkerewicz	Busted

Tags: Jason Weber Richard Perkerewicz

08-02-2025 21:31 UTC-6

Is Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi the Best Poker Player in the World? | PokerNews Podcast #909

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Nick Becker

Level 11 : Blinds 1,500/3,000, 3,000 ante

In the 909th episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Kyna England, and Mike Holtz wrap up coverage of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) by highlighting Michael "The Grinder" Mizrachi, who not only won the 2025 WSOP Main Event for $10 million but was also snap-inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame. It was a historic summer for The Grinder, and the crew gave him his just deserts.

They then talk about Shaun Deeb winning the WSOP Player of the Year for a second time, numbers from the summer, and late bracelet winners, including Andrew Ostapchenko, Daniel Zack, and Chad Eveslage. They also share final results from this year's 25K Fantasy Draft as well as the PokerNews Podcast draft involving Christina Gollins and Joey Ingram.

Meanwhile, news out of Las Vegas indicates poker chips can no longer be redeemed across competing properties, and there's a great high hand promotion at the Planet Hollywood Poker Room that players should know about. From there, it's over to the Venetian, including a big hand with Patrick Leonard from Venetian Poker Live, as well as Nico Betbese winning the WPT Venetian for $706K.

Finally, an update of all things PokerStars, including them parting ways with Barny Boatman, Silver Passes, Women's Summer Festival, and a look ahead to the EPT Barcelona.

A new PokerNews Podcast drops every week on Thursdays at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!

Click here to listen to the new PN Podcast!

Level: 11

Blinds: 1,500/3,000

Ante: 3,000

08-02-2025 21:24 UTC-6

Baker Hits Runner Runner to Survive

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Nick Becker

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

Alan Baker got it all in preflop for 13,500 in the cutoff against Chastity Askvig in middle position who had the covering stack.

Alan Baker: A♣Q♣ All in
Chastity Askvig: A♠K♣

The flop came 3♦J♦4♣ with Askvig still out in the lead with ace-king. The turn brought the 6♣ giving Baker the nut flush draw and he got there on the river when the 5♣ completed the board.

Player	Chips	Progress
Chastity Askvig	159,000 3,500	3,500
Alan Baker	32,000 32,000	32,000

Tags: Alan Baker Chastity Askvig

08-02-2025 21:20 UTC-6

Taylor Wins with Aces

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Nick Becker

Level 10 : Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante

Benjamin Valder raised to 5,000 in the hijack and was three-bet by Michael Taylor on the button to 18,000. Valder made the call.

The flop came 6♠6♦10♠ and Valder checked. Taylor bet 10,000 and Valder quickly called, bringing the 8♥ turn.

Valder checked again and Taylor bet 20,0000. Valder quickly called again and the 2♣ landed on the river.

Valder checked for a third time and Taylor elected to check back, tabling A♠A♦ for two pair, aces and sixes.

Valder mucked his cards and the pot was pushed Taylor's way.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Taylor (ND)	317,500 152,500	152,500
Benjamin Valder	292,500 9,000	9,000

Tags: Benjamin Valder Michael Taylor