PNDC Updates
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2025 WSOP PokerNews Deepstack Challenge
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The cards are nearly the air, and the race is just about to start.
Back for its second year, the PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge returns to the World Series of Poker with even more prizes, prestige, and bragging rights on the line.
Running May 27 through June 30, this special leaderboard competition gives grinders a shot at glory simply by showing up and showing out in the daily $200, $250, or $400 Deepstack tournaments at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
🏆 Rack Up Points, Win Your Seat
Each Deepstack tournament you play earns you points, and points mean prizes. Every week, the top 10 players on the leaderboard will score a free seat to the $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship, set to take place later this summer.
Whether you’re a Vegas local, a bracelet hopeful, or just love the Deepstack grind, this is your chance to win your way into a PokerNews-branded WSOP event while picking up some extra swag and recognition along the way.
🎯 Track Your Progress Every Step of the Way
Check the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge hub for weekly updates, leaderboard standings, and winner shoutouts. We’ll be spotlighting the grinders, celebrating the heroes, and keeping the competition fierce.
Card Protectors, Collectibles & More
There’s more than just leaderboard points up for grabs. Make the final table of a Deepstack tournament, and you’ll earn a limited edition PokerNews card protector to mark the moment. Win the whole thing, and your prize will be even sweeter, a champion’s edition card protector and some serious bragging rights.
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 |
Whether you're chasing a leaderboard run or just here for the daily action, the PokerNews Daily Deepstack Challenge adds another layer to the WSOP grind. Play hard, run good, and maybe we’ll be shouting your name next.
Last year’s PokerNews Daily DeepStacks and PokerNews Deepstack Challenge delivered accessible buy-ins, packed fields, and prize pools that punch well above their weight. Across 84 events held over four weeks in May and June 2024, the series drew nearly 32,000 entries and awarded more than $6.9 million in prize money.
Designed with the everyday player in mind, the series proved that you don’t need to break the bank to play for meaningful prizes. With buy-ins of $200, $250, and $400, the DeepStacks created opportunities for players of all levels to chase trophies, climb leaderboards, and earn some serious cash.
Highlights from 2024
The biggest single payday came on June 3, when Jesse Gardner topped a 1,030-entry $250 NLH event for $29,557. That same day, Russell Brooks took home $22,644 after winning the $400 tournament.
Other major results included:
- Adel Jo – $29,183 in a 1,014-player $250 NLH (June 4)
- Silma Macalou – $29,339 in a 1,019-player $250 NLH (June 21)
- Matan Barkat – $28,880 in a 998-player $250 NLH (June 22)
- Raed Abualfilat – $27,118 in a 913-player $250 NLH (June 17)
- Furkan Beg – $27,357 in a 928-player $250 NLH (June 19)
- Chenbo Zhou – $26,491 in an 888-player $400 NLH (June 20)
Even at the lower end of the buy-in range, big scores were possible. Crystal Galyon won $18,365 in a $200 event that drew 737 players—the largest top prize in that tier.
Players Who Stood Out
A handful of players grabbed headlines by winning multiple events. Raymond Chiu scored back-to-back victories in $400 events on May 31 and June 1, banking over $30,000 in the span of 48 hours. Duy Ho also made a splash, winning a $200 and a $250 event on consecutive days (June 7–8).
Familiar names like Srikanth Alajangi,Georgios Skarparis, and Kenny Hsiung also found success, each capturing a $250 title and adding to the series’ competitive depth.
Why It Matters
The PokerNews Daily DeepStacks have built their following by offering a format that works. The structures are solid, the buy-ins are reasonable, and the prize pools consistently deliver. For many players, it’s the ideal place to put in volume or make a first run at live tournament success.
What’s Next: PNDC 2025
Looking ahead to this year’s edition, the 2025 PNDC is expanding in more ways than one. The Daily DeepStacks leaderboard competition—a highlight for grinders chasing added value—will now award 50 seats instead of 40, giving even more players a chance to earn their way into marquee PNDC events.
The race will also stretch an extra week, giving players more time to build momentum and climb the standings.
Whether you’re chasing leaderboard points, hunting for a trophy, or just looking for a well-run daily tournament with meaningful upside, the 2025 Daily DeepStacks are poised to deliver another month of standout poker.
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.
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
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.
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 |
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 |
