2025 WSOP PokerNews Deepstack Challenge
PNDC Updates
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The PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge is charging toward its finale, and Thursday, June 27, saw another trio of big-field events produce three more champions.
With just a few days left to book a seat in Event #78: $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship, the race for the leaderboard is heating up. Only the top 10 on the weekly tally will secure a spot, and players have just four more days to try to make the bracelet event.
$250 Daily Deepstack
Donald Rosenberg added a PokerNews Daily Deepstack title to his tally after navigating through a field of 925 players in the $250 event on Thursday. The New York native earned $27,400 for the win, outlasting Australia’s Byron Silvers, who took second for $19,295, and Darin True, who finished third for $13,812. The tournament generated a $185,000 prize pool.
Among the notable final table contenders was Angel Lopez, who has made several deep runs on WSOP Online, including a narrow miss at a bracelet with a runner-up finish in the $1,500 No Limit Hold’em event in 2022. Lopez finished fifth for $7,394, adding another strong showing to his total live earnings.
$250 Daily Deepstack Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Donald Rosenberg | United States | $27,400 |
| 2 | Byron Silvers | Australia | $19,295 |
| 3 | Darin True | United States | $13,812 |
| 4 | Zong Zhang | United States | $10,031 |
| 5 | Angel Lopez | United States | $7,394 |
| 6 | Yoel Selles Meijer | Netherlands | $5,532 |
| 7 | Gi Yi | United States | $4,202 |
| 8 | John Park | United States | $3,241 |
| 9 | Kevin Kim | United States | $2,540 |
$400 Daily Deepstack
Christopher Ryan claimed the $400 PokerNews Daily Deepstack title on Thursday, outlasting a field of 463 players to take home $27,433. Ryan is a three-time WSOP Circuit ring winner, having captured online titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
American player Min Zhang also made a notable final table appearance. Zhang boasts a career-best payday of $420,400 from her runner-up finish in the $25,500 No Limit Hold’em High Roller at the WPT event in Hollywood in April 2024. Zhang finished third, earning $13,372.
Hyun Cho came in second for $18,968, rounding out the podium in a tournament that generated a $152,790 prize pool.
$400 Daily Deepstack Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Ryan | United States | $27,433 |
| 2 | Hyun Cho | United States | $18,968 |
| 3 | Min Zhang | United States | $13,372 |
| 4 | Antonio Olguin | United States | $9,598 |
| 5 | Duff Charette | Canada | $7,018 |
| 6 | Aaron Morris | United States | $5,228 |
| 7 | Richard Rubinski | United States | $3,970 |
| 8 | Jan Harberts | Germany | $3,074 |
| 9 | Brandon Sunshine | United States | $2,428 |
$200 Daily Deepstack
Germany’s Nils Gonska topped a 420-player field in the $200 PokerNews Daily Deepstack on Thursday, earning $12,057 from a $65,100 prize pool. Gonska defeated Matthew Madanat heads-up to claim the title.
Chinese crusher Yu Zhang made a notable final table appearance, continuing a strong run of form after finishing at the final table of last month’s $25,000+1,500 No Limit Hold’em event at the Triton Poker Series in Montenegro. Zhang secured third place for $5,743.
$200 Daily Deepstack Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nils Gonska | Germany | $12,057 |
| 2 | Matthew Madanat | United States | $8,227 |
| 3 | Yu Zhang | China | $5,743 |
| 4 | Robert Foos | United States | $4,091 |
| 5 | Ofer Sisso | Israel | $2,975 |
| 6 | Dror Meital | United States | $2,209 |
| 7 | Joshua Edgell | United States | $1,677 |
| 8 | Wagner Pereira | Brazil | $1,300 |
| 9 | Carol Berube | Canada | $1,032 |
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
Ready to show off your skills and compete for amazing prizes? The PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge is here from May 28 to June 24, and it’s your time to shine! Play in daily WSOP deep stack tournaments, earn points, and score fantastic rewards—including seats to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship and some cool memorabilia.
Want to see how you’re doing? Track your progress, check out the latest standings, and get all the updates on our leaderboard page. Click the link below to dive into the action!
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 |
At this summer's World Series of Poker (WSOP), we're thrilled to sponsor the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship alongside the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge, which will send 50 qualifiers into the bracelet event via the leaderboard promotion.
Running from May 27 to June 30, the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge will see the players who take part in the daily $200, $250, or $400 deep stack tournaments at the WSOP earn points towards the leaderboard, where the top ten point earners each week will receive complimentary seats for the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship.
So, in our bid for you to conquer the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge, we've drafted in tournament crusher Raminder "Raminator" Singh, who knows a thing or two about grinding it out and getting the job done in these lower buy-in events, to give you a helping hand.
As well as giving out some handy advice, Singh sat down with PokerNews' for Connor Richards' new podcast: Life Outside Poker.
For the fifth episode, Connor spoke with the South Florida crusher about his nearly one hundred live tournament victories, moving to the US from India and running a business full time. He also shared his strategies for various tournament stages and gave Connor a tour of his one-of-a-kind poker trophy collection.
This interview took place inside Singh's South Florida home during the World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown in Hollywood, Florida.
The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Raminder Singh by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.
Be sure to follow Raminder Singh and Connor Richards on X.
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 |
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 |
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.
