2025 WSOP PokerNews Deepstack Challenge

The first week of the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge at the 2025 World Series of Poker is officially in the books, and the leaderboard has been finalized. After seven days of intense daily tournaments, ten players have risen to the top and secured their complimentary seat to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship bracelet event.

With strong showings across the $200, $250, and $400 Daily Deepstack events, these ten grinders earned the most points between May 27 and June 2 to claim a coveted spot in the championship event later this summer.

James Derosa leads the pack after a standout week, and he's joined by a diverse group of players who all put together consistent results to climb the leaderboard. From deep runs to outright wins, each of these players earned their ticket through steady volume and strong finishes.

PokerNews will contact each of the winners with instructions on how to redeem their seats for the upcoming championship.

Want to join them next week? The PokerNews Deepstack Challenge continues through June 30 with a new leaderboard each week. Play any of the eligible Daily Deepstack events at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., or 8 p.m. in Las Vegas, rack up points, and you could be joining the next group of winners heading to the bracelet event.

Click here to view the current leaderboard.

Week 2 of the 2025 PokerNews Deepstack Challenge got underway on Tuesday, June 3, as another trio of Daily Deepstack events took center stage at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas. The new week opened with 1,524 combined entries across the $200, $250, and $400 tournaments, generating $325,840 in prize pools and paying out more than 230 places.

Three players—Atsushi Mineki, Ryan Flesch, and Eric Tibuni—each booked a win, earning cash, leaderboard points, and momentum as the second weekly sprint toward the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship began.

$250 Daily Deepstack

A total of 961 players packed the $250 event, making it one of the busiest fields so far in the PNDC. The prize pool reached $192,200, and 146 players made the money, with a $500 min-cash awarded.

The title went to Atsushi Mineki, a 54-year-old from Concord, California, who earned $28,124 after topping a deep and competitive final table. He defeated Emil Simonea (2nd – $19,797) and Scott Krentler (3rd – $14,164) to take the top spot, more than doubling his career earnings in the process.

Among the storylines: Robert Speechley and Julio Torres busted simultaneously on the bubble and split the $500 minimum payout. PokerNews alumni Brandon Bloom also made the money with a min-cash.

Final Table Results – $250 Deepstack

$400 Daily Deepstack

The $400 tournament drew 265 entries, generating an $87,450 prize pool with 40 players paid and a $812 min-cash.

The win went to Ryan Flesch, a 31-year-old low-stakes tournament grinder who recorded his 95th career cash and picked up $18,385 for the victory. Flesch defeated Sanjeev Kapoor (2nd – $12,500) and Christopher Robertson (3rd – $8,695) on his way to the title.

Final Table Results – $400 Deepstack

$200 Daily Deepstack

Rounding out the Day 1 schedule for Week 2, the $200 event welcomed 298 entries, creating a $46,190 prize pool with 45 players paid and a $405 min-cash.

The last player standing was Eric Tibuni, a 34-year-old from Las Vegas, who pocketed $9,402 for the win. Tibuni outlasted Dillon Ellis (2nd – $6,363) and Mark Heitz (3rd – $4,413), while also sharing the final table spotlight with Maria Tibuni, who finished 6th for $1,686.

Final Table Results – $200 Deepstack

With the Week 2 leaderboard now live, the race to earn a seat in the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship is officially underway, offering players another shot at points, prizes, and a place in the summer spotlight.