PNDC Updates | 2025 WSOP PokerNews Deepstack Challenge

06-29-2025 14:49 UTC-8

Busy Saturday Sees Feda, Frenkel and Liu Join PNDC Winners List

Calum Grant

It was another packed Saturday at the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge, with more than 1,800 entries and nearly half a million dollars awarded across three daily tournaments and three new names joined the growing list of PNDC champions.

$250 Deepstack

The day kicked off with the $250 Daily Deepstack, which saw 571 entries generate a $114,200 prize pool. Taiwan’s Tefan Liu came out on top, banking $19,371 for his first known PNDC victory.

The 31-year-old overcame a tough final table that featured Bryan Macker (2nd - $13,408) and Frank Cerjak (3rd - $9,465), with 86 players making the money. Liu’s win marks the first PNDC title for Taiwan this summer.

Final Table Resuts

Place	Player	Prize
1	Tefan Liu	$19,371
2	Bryan Macker	$13,408
3	Frank Cerjak	$9,465
4	Hanh Le	$6,800
5	Abraham Bemarasstrauss	$4,972
6	Bruno Delabella	$3,702
7	Steven Hinterneder	$2,808
8	Michael Allen	$2,170
9	Patricia Conrad	$1,709

$400 Deepstack

Las Vegas’ Waheed Feda made the short trip from home to the Horseshoe worth it, conquering a 718-entry field in the $400 event for $37,640, the biggest payout of the day. The 56-year-old business owner has already posted WSOP cashes in both the Seniors Championship and Battle of the Ages, but Saturday’s result is his largest of the summer.

Feda is no stranger to deepstack success, having won an $800 event at the 2024 Aria Poker Classic for a career-best $78,490. Japan’s Yujiro Fukushima (2nd - $26,493) and Brandon Metcalf (3rd - $18,946) rounded out the podium in Saturday’s event.

Final Table Resuts

Place	Player	Prize
1	Waheed Feda	$37,640
2	Yujiro Fukushima	$26,493
3	Brandon Metcalf	$18,946
4	Semsettin Ilyas	$13,751
5	Brian Rockvam	$10,132
6	William Disisto	$7,581
7	Adrian Thorne	$5,760
8	Olga Iermolcheva	$4,447
9	Wenyan Liao	$3,488

$200 Deepstack

The $200 Deepstack wrapped up the night, drawing 533 entries and generating an $82,615 prize pool. Los Angeles’ Eli Frenkel emerged victorious, collecting $14,309 and securing his first win of the 2025 summer.

Frenkel, 47, has nearly $160,000 in live tournament earnings and adds another solid result to his resume. Douglas Hickey finished runner-up for $9,867, with Radu Roscot (3rd - $6,947) and 2010 WSOP bracelet winner Marcel Vonk (4th - $4,980) also making the final table.

Final Table Resuts

Place	Player	Prize
1	Eli Frenkel	$14,309
2	Douglas Hickey	$9,867
3	Radu Roscot	$6,947
4	Marcel Vonk	$4,980
5	Albert Tapia	$3,635
6	Rajendra Ajmani	$2,704
7	Scott Bunn	$2,049
8	Anthony Myers	$1,584
9	Kevin Matusow	$1,248

06-29-2025 14:00 UTC-8

Get Ready for the 4 p.m. $400 Daily Deepstack

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

Get ready for some poker action! The second Daily Deepstack of the day shuffles up and deals at 4 p.m. This single-day extravaganza comes with a $400 buy-in, giving you a hefty 30,000 starting stack to play with.

Feeling adventurous? Late registration is open until the start of Level 9, around 7:35 p.m., and you can reenter as many times as you like. Each level is a quick 20 minutes, with plenty of 15- and 20-minute breaks to catch your breath and strategize.

Blinds kick off at 100/100, and the big blind ante is in play from the get-go.

Level	BB Ante	Blinds	Breaks & Notes
1	100	100-100
2	200	100-200
3	300	200-300
4	400	200-400
5	600	300-600
6	800	400-800	Remove 100 Chips (20-Minute Break)
7	1,000	500-1,000
8	1,500	1,000-1,500
9	2,000	1,000-2,000	Remove 500 Chips (15-Minute Break) (Reg. ends)
10	3,000	2,000-3,000
11	4,000	2,000-4,000
12	6,000	3,000-6,000
13	8,000	4,000-8,000
14	10,000	5,000-10,000
15	16,000	8,000-16,000
16	20,000	10,000-20,000	Remove 1,000 Chips (15-Minute Break)
17	30,000	15,000-30,000
18	40,000	20,000-40,000
19	60,000	30,000-60,000
20	80,000	40,000-80,000
21	100,000	50,000-100,000
22	150,000	100,000-150,000	Break (15-Minute Break)
23	200,000	100,000-200,000
24	300,000	150,000-300,000
25	400,000	200,000-400,000
26	600,000	300,000-600,000
27	800,000	400,000-800,000
28	1,000,000	500,000-1,000,000	Break (15-Minute Break)
29	1,500,000	1,000,000-1,500,000
30	2,000,000	1,000,000-2,000,000
31	3,000,000	1,500,000-3,000,000
32	5,000,000	2,000,000-5,000,000

06-29-2025 13:00 UTC-8

Responsible Gaming Resources

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

At PokerNews, we're committed to promoting responsible gaming. We encourage all our readers to play responsibly and within their means.
Visit our dedicated safer gaming hub for more information about safe and responsible gaming.

06-29-2025 11:45 UTC-8

Should This Poker Player Get A Million-Dollar Bonus? | PokerNews Podcast #903

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Chad Holloway

In the 903rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by special fill-in cohosts Team PokerStars Pro Jennifer Shahade and Josh Abady of Play Live Melbourne to discuss the latest in the poker industry, including the latest on the alleged chip-dumping incident from the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker event. Winner Jesse Yaginuma did get paid the $1,000,000 bonus, but he and runner-up James Carroll are still awaiting a decision by WSOP officials on the regular prize money.

Another big story was Golden Nugget cancelling their $1 million guaranteed tournament, much to the dismay of several players, including Kyna England. The hosts discuss the decision and examine the larger concept of guarantees within the poker world. You'll then get highlights from a pair of Meet-Up Games (MUGs), including the PokerNews one at Planet Hollywood and the PokerStars one at Resorts World, where the first $5,300 Main Event seat to November's NAPT was awarded. See who the lucky winner was!

Next, get a sneak peek at the new show Hellmuth's Home Game presented by Poker Night in America (PNIA), a discussion on the state of poker in Australia, and a look ahead to the 2025 WSOP Main Event, which will kick off this week!

A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday 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!

06-29-2025 11:30 UTC-8

$250 WSOP Daily Deepstack 1 p.m. Info and Structure

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

Kick off your day with some poker excitement! The opening Daily Deepstack of the day starts at 1 p.m. and promises a thrilling single-day event. With a $250 buy-in, you'll get a solid 25,000 starting stack to work with.

For the latecomers, late registration is open until the start of Level 9, and you can jump back in with unlimited reentries. Each level runs for 30 minutes, with 15-minute breaks sprinkled throughout the day, and a longer 30-minute break after Level 12 to recharge.

Blinds start at 100/100, with the big blind ante in play right from the start. Get ready to shuffle up and deal!

Level	BB Ante	Blinds	Breaks
1	100	100-100
2	200	100-200
3	300	200-300
4	400	200-400	15 Minute Break
5	600	300-600
6	800	400-800
7	1,000	500-1,000
8	1,200	600-1,200	Remove 100 Chips (20 Minute Break)
9	1,500	1,000-1,500
10	2,000	1,000-2,000
11	3,000	1,500-3,000
12	4,000	2,000-4,000	Remove 500 Chips (30 Minute Break)
13	6,000	3,000-6,000
14	8,000	4,000-8,000
15	10,000	5,000-10,000
16	16,000	8,000-16,000	Remove 1,000 Chips (15 Minute Break)
17	20,000	10,000-20,000
18	30,000	15,000-30,000
19	40,000	20,000-40,000
20	60,000	30,000-60,000	Break (15 Minute Break)
21	80,000	40,000-80,000
22	100,000	50,000-100,000
23	150,000	100,000-150,000
24	200,000	100,000-200,000	Break (15 Minute Break)
25	300,000	150,000-300,000
26	400,000	200,000-400,000
27	600,000	300,000-600,000
28	800,000	400,000-800,000	Break (15 Minute Break)
29	1,000,000	500,000-1,000,000
30	1,500,000	1,000,000-1,500,000
31	2,000,000	1,000,000-2,000,000
32	3,000,000	1,500,000-3,000,000

06-29-2025 10:30 UTC-8

Play the PokerNews WSOP Daily Deepstacks

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

Get ready for some extra excitement leading up to the PokerNews DeepStack Championship with the PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge! Running from May 27 to June 30, this weekly leaderboard promotion rewards players participating in the daily $200, $250, or $400 deepstack tournaments at the WSOP. Rack up points with each game, because points mean prizes!

Every week, the top 10 point earners will win complimentary seats to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship.

Stay updated and motivated with PokerNews' dedicated hub page for the Daily Deepstacks. Here, we'll highlight all the winners, provide regular leaderboard updates, and ensure every player's journey and achievements are recognized and celebrated.

There's also some cool memorabilia up for grabs for our Deepstack final tablists and winners. Make it to the final table, and you'll receive a special edition card protector. Deepstack winners will get a unique card protector, marking them as champions.

Join the fun, climb the leaderboard, and earn your bragging rights in the PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge!

PokerNews Deepstack Challenge Leaderboard Dates

Date	Week	Prize
May 27 - June 2	1	10 Seats to PokerNews Deepstack Championship
June 3-9	2	10 Seats to PokerNews Deepstack Championship
June 10-16	3	10 Seats to PokerNews Deepstack Championship
June 17-23	4	10 Seats to PokerNews Deepstack Championship
June 24-30	5	10 Seats to PokerNews Deepstack Championship

Points Calculator

06-28-2025 21:00 UTC-8

Meet the PokerNews Deepstack Grinders Who Turned a Seat Into a Score

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

This summer at the WSOP, the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge gives everyday grinders a chance to shine. Play well in the daily $200, $250, $400 Deepstack events, rack up leaderboard points, and you could win a free seat to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship.

Last year, eight leaderboard qualifiers made it count, not only earning their way into the Championship, but cashing in it too.

From first-timers to bracelet winners, here’s a look at the players who turned a daily grind into a WSOP payday.

Raymond Chiu

Finished 254th for $1,743
Topped the Week 1 leaderboard

Chiu came out swinging, winning back-to-back daily Deepstacks and rode that momentum into the Championship. He was the first qualifier to lock up a seat and one of the first to cash.

William Plitz

Finished 142nd for $2,458
Week 1 – 2nd place on the leaderboard

Plitz’s run started with a win in the May 30 daily, which also happened to be his biggest live score ever ($6,475). He backed it up with another deep run in the Championship. Safe to say he made the most of the PNDC.

Georgios Skarparis

Finished 468th for $1,261
Week 1 – 9th on the leaderboard

With $1.45 million in live earnings and a WSOP Mini Main title to his name, Skarparis is no stranger to success. Even with all that experience, he still came out for the daily Deepstacks and cashed again in the Championship.

Kenny Hsiung

Finished 71st for $4,432
Week 3 – 6th place

Hsiung, who won a WSOP bracelet in 2012, proved he’s still got the chops. He was the highest-finishing leaderboard qualifier in the Championship.

Michael Lin

Finished 673rd for $1,201
Week 3 – 10th on the leaderboard

Lin made the final table of the 2022 Deepstack Championship, and while this year’s run didn’t go quite as far, he still bagged another cash. A quiet, consistent presence on the felt.

Artur Stepanyan

Finished 289th for $1,743
Week 4 – 8th place

A breakout moment for Stepanyan, who turned a top-10 finish in Week 4 into a solid run in the Championship. It was only his second ever WSOP cash, not bad for someone still early in their WSOP journey.

Michael Beattie

Finished 224th for $1,936
Week 4 – 9th place

Beattie has over $300K in live earnings and knows how to find a payday. He added another cash prize to the pile from the PokerNews Deepstack Championship.

Hsing-Hsiung Tai

Finished 464th for $1,261
Week 4 – 10th place

No big headlines or flashy scores, just a solid grind from Tai, who turned his final qualifying spot into a Championship cash.

06-28-2025 19:30 UTC-8

The $600 PokerNews DeepStack Championship Returns to the WSOP

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

The PokerNews DeepStack Championship returns to the World Series of Poker from July 1–4 at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

If you’re dreaming of winning a WSOP bracelet without a five-figure bankroll, this is your shot. The $600 buy-in event offers a deep 30,000-chip starting stack, a Main Event-style structure, and one re-entry. Day 1 levels are 40 minutes; Days 2–4 move to 60 minutes.

Last year’s event saw 5,110 entries and a $2.6 million prize pool. Hector Berry won the bracelet and $282,876.

Register in person at the WSOP main registration area or skip the lines with the WSOP+ app.
Want to win a seat? Enter the daily $200/$250/$400 DeepStacks between May 27 and June 30. The PokerNews DeepStack Challenge leaderboard awards 10 seats each week—50 in total.

View the full blind structure here.

06-28-2025 18:30 UTC-8

Time for a Night Cap in the 8 p.m. $200 Daily Deepstack

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

Wrap up your day with some thrilling poker action! The final Daily Deepstack of the day kicks off at 8 p.m. as a single-day showdown. With a $200 buy-in, you'll start with a 20,000 stack of chips.

For those who like to make a dramatic entrance, late registration is open until the start of Level 6 (approx 10:20 p.m.), and you can reenter as many times as you want until then. Each level lasts 20 minutes, with plenty of 15-minute breaks throughout the evening.

Blinds start at 100/100, and the big blind ante is in play right from the start. If this event runs long, the tournament director reserves the right to suspend play and resume the following day.

Level	BB Ante	Blinds	Breaks / Chip Removals
1	100	100-100
2	200	100-200
3	300	100-300
4	400	200-400
5	600	300-600
6	800	400-800	Remove 100 Chips (20 Minute Break)
7	1,000	500-1,000
8	1,500	1,000-1,500
9	2,000	1,000-2,000	Remove 500 Chips (15 Minute Break) (Reg. ends)
10	3,000	2,000-3,000
11	4,000	2,000-4,000
12	6,000	3,000-6,000
13	8,000	4,000-8,000
14	10,000	5,000-10,000
15	16,000	8,000-16,000
16	20,000	10,000-20,000	Remove 1,000 Chips (15 Minute Break)
17	30,000	15,000-30,000
18	40,000	20,000-40,000
19	60,000	30,000-60,000
20	80,000	40,000-80,000
21	100,000	50,000-100,000
22	150,000	100,000-150,000	15 Minute Break
23	200,000	100,000-200,000
24	300,000	150,000-300,000
25	400,000	200,000-400,000
26	600,000	300,000-600,000
27	800,000	400,000-800,000
28	1,000,000	500,000-1,000,000	15 Minute Break
29	1,500,000	1,000,000-1,500,000
30	2,000,000	1,000,000-2,000,000
31	3,000,000	1,500,000-3,000,000
32	5,000,000	2,000,000-5,000,000
33	6,000,000	3,000,000-6,000,000
34	8,000,000	4,000,000-8,000,000

06-28-2025 17:30 UTC-8

PokerNews Deepstack Championship FAQs

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook

Calum Grant

What is the buy-in for the PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

The buy-in for the PokerNews Deepstack Championship event at the 2025 WSOP is $600 - among one of the lowest buy-ins in the Series. We looked to give low-stakes grinders an opportunity to win their way to a coveted WSOP bracelet, and the $600 entry fee is both affordable and offers the chance to win big money from an expected large prize pool.

When is the PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

The PokerNews Deepstack Championship event will be held between July 1-4, 2025. It's the 78th event in the 2025 WSOP.

Where is the PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

The PokerNews Deepstack Championship will be held in a new, vibrant venue near the Horseshoe poker room, Las Vegas.

How Can I Play the PokerNews Deepstack Championship?

Like any other event at the Series, to play the PokerNews Deepstack Championship, simply register from one of the multiple registration desks at the venue.

What is the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge?

The PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge is a leaderboard promotion running from May 27 to June 30. Players participating in the daily $200, $250, or $400 deep stack tournaments at the WSOP will earn points. The top 10 point earners each week will receive complimentary seats for the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship.

What is the leaderboard system?

The leaderboard system will follow the same formula used for the WSOP Player of the Year