| Date | Buy-in | Entries | Prize Pool | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, May 27 | $250 | 143 | $30,745 | Mark Selley | $7,126 |
| Tue, May 27 | $400 | 50 | $17,550 | Adauto Viana Junior | $5,414 |
| Tue, May 27 | $200 | 133 | $22,411 | Jeremy Calverley | $5,288 |
| Wed, May 28 | $250 | 370 | $79,550 | James Derosa | $14,550 |
| Wed, May 28 | $400 | 122 | $42,822 | Koveh Waysei | $10,462 |
| Wed, May 28 | $200 | 146 | $24,601 | Lewis Christensen | $5,643 |
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!
| 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 |
In the 893rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway, Mike Holtz, and Kyna England celebrate Jeff Madsen's 40th birthday before talking about two poker players who murdered their parents. Recently in Texas, Benjamin Frakes, 39, was taken into custody at Doghouse Poker Club in Cypress, a town 25 miles northwest of Downtown Houston. He was charged with capital murder for allegedly shooting his parents.
The tragic situation was reminiscent of poker player Ernie Scherer, who was convicted in 2011 of killing his parents in an elaborate plot to collect an inheritance. It's a true crime story that's been featured on 48 Hours but often overlooked by the poker world, that is, until the crew takes a look back in history and shares details of the horrific crime.
Chad then offers a behind-the-scenes look at Daniel Negreanu's 25K Fantasy Draft, including an interview with the man himself, before recapping recent tournament winners from the Triton Montenegro, including Jesse Lonis, Jason Koon, and Aleksa Pavicevic. Other stories covered include the return of the PokerStars Big Game and a preview of the Bar Poker Open coming to the Golden Nugget Las Vegas from June 8-13.
The podcast is sponsored by the #1 free-to-play WSOP app. Remember to use the bonus code "POKERNEWS" if you download and play for an extra 1,000,000 in chips!
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!
Out of a 146-player field in Event #115: $200 Daily Deepstack, it was Lewis Christensen who emerged victorious, securing the $5,643 first-place prize after navigating a compact but competitive field at Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas.
Christensen, an engineer, bested fellow American Dustin Bryan heads-up, who took home $3,600 for his runner-up finish. Rounding out the podium was Dhananjay Bhor, who added $2,390 to his live earnings total.
"MortonKoopa" managed a fourth-place finish, while Oscar Quezada, Titus Balliett, and Teppei Ishizaki all cashed, but couldn’t climb past the middle of the pack.
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis Christensen | $5,643 |
| 2 | Dustin Bryan | $3,600 |
| 3 | Dhananjay Bhor | $2,390 |
| 4 | MortonKoopa | $1,650 |
| 5 | Oscar Quezada | $1,187 |
| 6 | Titus Balliett | $891 |
| 7 | Teppei Ishizaki | $699 |
| 8 | Richard Williams Jnr | $575 |
| 9 | Jose Garcia Gutierrez | $497 |
WSOP Dealer James Derosa claimed victory in the May 28 $250 Daily Deepstack, outlasting a 370-player field to secure the $14,550 top prize. The tournament built a healthy $79,550 prize pool and featured a stacked final table packed with international talent.
"Zionim" finished in second place for $9,761, while American grinder Anthony Flanagan rounded out the podium. Also making deep runs were Mikhail Prokopchuk, Joakim Brochard, and David Garcia Araque, all of whom walked away with four-figure scores.
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Derosa | $14,550 |
| 2 | Zionim | $9,761 |
| 3 | Anthony Flanagan | $6,866 |
| 4 | Mikhail Prokopchuk | $4,920 |
| 5 | Joakim Brochard | $3,593 |
| 6 | Thomas Erdmann | $2,675 |
| 7 | David Garcia Araque | $2,030 |
| 8 | Dean Boeving | $1,573 |
| 9 | Kelvin Tana | $1,243 |
After a field of 146 players was whittled down across several fast-paced hours of play, just nine contenders remain in the $200 Daily Deepstack, all eyeing the lion’s share of a $24,601 prize pool.
At the top of the payout ladder is a $5,643 top prize, but all nine finalists are now guaranteed at least $497. With the blinds and antes putting pressure on short stacks, expect early fireworks as players jostle for ladder spots.
Here's a look at the nine players still in contention:
In the $250 Daily Deepstack held on Wednesday, May 28, a total of 370 entries have built a $79,550 prize pool, with $14,550 reserved for the winner. Seven players remain, each of them are guaranteed at least $2,030.
Meanwhile, the $200 Daily Deepstack drew 146 runners, creating a $24,601 prize pool and a top prize of $5,643. Eighteen players are still in contention.
The afternoon action at the 2025 PNDC rolled on with the $400 Daily Deepstack, drawing a 122-entry field and generating a healthy $42,822 prize pool. A total of 19 players made the money, with a min-cash worth $806.
At the end of the one-day tournament, it was Koveh Waysei who walked away with the top prize of $10,462, adding a fresh line to his growing poker résumé. With this win, Waysei now sits at $385K in recorded live tournament earnings.
The American is no stranger to the WSOP stage, he notably finished 123rd in the 2023 WSOP Main Event.
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Koveh Waysei | $10,462 |
| 2 | Roger Perez | $6,695 |
| 3 | Ramana Epparla | $4,456 |
| 4 | Isaac Cramer | $3,086 |
| 5 | Lachlan Crilly | $2,228 |
| 6 | Michael Turri | $1,680 |
| 7 | Jason Hunter | $1,326 |
| 8 | Robert Redman | $1,097 |
| 9 | Jeffrey Atkins | $954 |
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No big headlines or flashy scores, just a solid grind from Tai, who turned his final qualifying spot into a Championship cash.
Looking for Deepstack Poker tips? PokerNews has got you covered. Evolve your game with the strategy in this article to start your journey to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship,
