Event #17: $2,000 No-Limit Holdem Day 1 | 2025 World Series of Poker

06-03-2025 17:41 UTC-8

Some Chip Updates Before the Break

Roxanne Johnson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Matthew Thom	95,000 95,000	95,000
Jonathan Gilliam	75,000
Loni Harwood	56,000 56,000	56,000

Dylan Police	52,000 52,000	52,000
Kyle Arora	52,000 52,000	52,000
Faraz Jaka	46,000 34,000	34,000

Mustapha Kanit	42,000 42,000	42,000

Antonio Galiana	34,000 34,000	34,000

Steven Stegner	32,000 32,000	32,000
Javier Zarco Sanchez	31,000 31,000	31,000
Champie Douglas	31,000 31,000	31,000
Gie Chung	29,000 29,000	29,000
Sergi Reixach	27,000 27,000	27,000
Rosen Apostolov	26,000 26,000	26,000
Renji Mao	25,000 25,000	25,000

Aaron Johnson	20,000 20,000	20,000
Michael Acevedo	20,000 20,000	20,000

06-03-2025 17:40 UTC-8

Lonis Seen Multi-tabling

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Joseph Berg

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Jesse Lonis was spotted in the field for Event #17, sitting on a healthy 80,000-chip stack. He was also seen competing in WSOP Online Bracelet Event #4. Lonis famously won a WSOP Circuit ring while attending a rap battle, showcasing his ability to thrive in unexpected circumstances. With his skills, he's more than capable of winning two bracelets in a single day and will be hoping to multitask late into the night.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jesse Lonis	80,000 80,000	80,000

Tags: Jesse Lonis

06-03-2025 17:06 UTC-8

Big Stacks in Paris Yellow

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Nataly Sopacuaperu

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Javier Gomez	255,000 255,000	255,000
Angela Defoe	225,000 225,000	225,000
Paulo Gini	220,000 220,000	220,000
Frank Jr Funaro	195,000 195,000	195,000

Nikola Gunchev	175,000 175,000	175,000
Christopher Hunichen	150,000 150,000	150,000

Ricardo Martinez	148,000
Rishi Karan	142,500 142,500	142,500

Level: 9

Blinds: 600/1,200

Ante: 1,200

06-03-2025 16:39 UTC-8

Million Dollar Man Spotted

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Joseph Berg

Level 8 : Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante

Michael Wilklow Wins EV1 Mystery Millions for $1,000,000

Michael Wilklow was spotted in the Paris Yellow Section. Fresh off a million-dollar victory in Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions, Wilklow is looking to capitalize on his momentum and add a second gold bracelet to his collection.

Player	Chips	Progress
Michael Wilklow	55,000 55,000	55,000

Tags: Michael Wilklow

Level: 8

Blinds: 500/1,000

Ante: 1,000

06-03-2025 15:59 UTC-8

Benjamin Underwood Hunting for Bracelet

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Benjamin Underwood, dubbed the “Deep Stack King” at last year’s World Series of Poker, is back in Las Vegas and ready to make another strong run. The Canadian standout earned that nickname after scoring three top-five finishes in three live Deepstack events, earning Player of the Week honors along the way.

While he’s still chasing his first WSOP bracelet, Underwood already boasts over $1 million in live tournament earnings, according to Hendon Mob. His favorite events are Limit Hold’em, where his strategic edge often shines through.

Off the felt, Underwood enjoys one of Las Vegas’s most popular attractions: its vibrant food scene. His top pick? STK at the Cosmopolitan—a favorite stop when he’s not stacking chips at the tables.

Player	Chips	Progress
Benjamin Underwood	66,000 66,000	66,000

Tags: Benjamin Underwood

06-03-2025 15:51 UTC-8

Updated Chip Counts

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Joseph Berg

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Bin Weng	88,000 34,300	34,300
Jeff Platt	75,000 25,500	25,500
Chris Hunichen	58,000 58,000	58,000

Eric Afriat	51,000 21,000	21,000
Craig Varnell	47,000 17,000	17,000

Brian Hastings	43,000 43,000	43,000

Chino Rheem	43,000 9,000	9,000
Alex Foxen	41,000 9,000	9,000

Joey Weissman	34,000 34,000	34,000

Jason Wheeler	33,000 8,300	8,300

Kristen Foxen	25,000 25,000	25,000

Darren Elias	25,000 25,000	25,000

Dan Sepiol	22,000 22,000	22,000

Faraz Jaka	12,000 12,000	12,000

06-03-2025 15:44 UTC-8

Andy Tsai China's GG Ambassador on Routines

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Andy Tsai is set to play most of the World Series of Poker this summer and is particularly looking forward to Event #20: $1,500 SHOOTOUT No-Limit Hold'em. To stay sharp and focused, Tsai begins each day with a workout routine that includes intense walking—a ritual that helps get his mindset in the right place before hitting the tables.

He’s still reflecting on a tough elimination from Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em, where he was coolered in a brutal spot: trips over trips, with his queen kicker falling just short of his opponent’s king. Despite the setback, Tsai remains determined and optimistic, hoping to notch some deep runs this year and make his team proud.

Player	Chips	Progress
Andy Tsai	37,000

Tags: Andy Tsai

Level: 7

Blinds: 400/800

Ante: 800