2025 WSOP PokerNews Deepstack Challenge

Week 2 of the PokerNews Deepstack Challenge concluded on Monday, June 9, with a packed schedule of three events and over 1,500 combined entries. The $250, $400, and $200 tournaments produced three new champions to close out the week in style. The updated PNDC leaderboard—featuring the top ten players after two weeks—will be revealed soon.

$250 Daily Deepstack

The biggest winner of the day was 34-year-old SEO manager Tristan Tauscher, who topped a massive 916-entry field in the $250 event to earn $27,166, more than ten times his only other recorded WSOP cash.

After debuting with a min-cash in the $600 Deepstack Bracelet event on June 1, Tauscher quickly locked up a breakout victory that could very well earn him a ticket to the upcoming $600 PokerNews Deepstack Championship. Mark Lee ($19,135) and Isua Mbang ($13,692) rounded out the podium in an event that paid 138 players.

Final Table Results

$400 Daily Deepstack

In the $400 event, Xingyu Liu scored the biggest payday of his career with an $18,680 first-place finish. The 27-year-old warehouse manager had previously placed 417th in the Mystery Millions for $3,680.

Liu defeated a field of 271 entries and a final table that included Jason Spurgetis ($12,725), Michael Holmes ($8,867), and Tim Krist ($6,313).

Final Table Results

$200 Daily Deepstack

Finally, WSOP Circuit ring winner Tanner Martinelli added another title to his resume by taking down the $200 event for $11,624. The 34-year-old described himself to PokerNews as a “certified gangsta,” and his performance backed it up.

Martinelli bested 400 other entries and outlasted Alec Jahed ($7,905) and Robert Perkins ($5,505) to close out the tournament and the week.

Final Table Results

Week 2 of the 2025 PokerNews Deepstack Challenge wrapped on Monday, June 9, following seven days of steady turnout, competitive final tables, and over $1.8 million in total prize pools. Across 21 one-day tournaments, the series attracted 8,663 entries and awarded $332,196 to event winners.

With three events per day—priced at $200, $250, and $400—players had consistent chances to cash, build momentum, and earn leaderboard points in the first leg of this summer-long promotion.

The leaderboard will be updated later today, with the second batch of ticket winners being announced, so stay tuned.

Standout Performances

• Dannette Mason took down Sunday’s $250 Deepstack, which drew 1,105 entries, the largest field of the week. She earned $31,173 to pick up the biggest prize of the week, which put her atop of the PNDC Week 2 leaderbaord.
• Xingyu Liu won the biggest $400 event, banking $18,680 after topping a 271-player field.
• Tristan Tauscher, and Tanner Martinelli were among the players to collect wins on the final day of leaderboard eligibility.
• Across the first two weeks of the PNDC, 17,206 entries have been tallied, creating prize pools worth a combined $3,695,249, with $667,265 going to the champions.

PNDC Week 2 Winners