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

06-03-2025 14:00 UTC-8

Two-Way Chop Eliminates Rosales

Roxanne Johnson

Level 4 : 200/400, 400 ante

The action was picked up on the flop of Q♣K♥9♦ with about 6,000 in the pot. It was checked to Alejandro Rosales in middle position, who moved all of his chips in for 18,100. Sanjeev Kapoor was in late position and also moved all of his chips in for 8,200, and Esa Homayun made the call with the biggest stack from the big blind.

Sanjeev Kapoor: J♠10♣ All in
Alejandro Rosales: Q♥Q♠ All in
Esa Homayun: J♣10♥

Both Homayun and Kapoor had a straight, and Rosales held a set. The turn was the 4♥, and the river was the 8♥, and Rosales was eliminated, and Homayun and Kapoor chopped the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Esa Homayun	39,000
Sanjeev Kapoor	25,000
Alejandro Rosales	Busted

Tags: Sanjeev Kapoor Esa Homayun Alejandro Rosales

06-03-2025 13:42 UTC-8

Jeff Platt with Day 8 Headlines

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Kasey Taormino

Level 4 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

https://twitter.com/WSOP/status/1930010948255047970

06-03-2025 13:41 UTC-8

Updated Chip Counts

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Joseph Berg

Level 4 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
Bin Weng	122,300 92,300	92,300
Matthew Alsante	53,200 23,200	23,200

Barry Greenstein	52,500 22,500	22,500

Chino Rheem	52,000 52,000	52,000
Jeff Platt	49,500 7,500	7,500
Eric Baldwin	34,000 34,000	34,000

Alex Foxen	32,000 32,000	32,000

Blake Bohn	25,500 4,500	4,500
Jason Wheeler	24,700 5,300	5,300

Humberto Brenes	22,100 7,900	7,900

Farah Galfond	17,200 17,200	17,200
Francis Anderson	16,400 13,600	13,600

06-03-2025 13:22 UTC-8

Andreas Kniep Unknown Player?

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 4 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

Andreas Kniep has returned to the World Series of Poker with his sights set on capturing a long-awaited bracelet. With over $1 million in career earnings, Kniep has built an impressive poker résumé, but one of his most memorable runs came in the $1,500 Millionaire Maker No-Limit Hold’em at the 2023 WSOP, where he dominated much of the tournament before finishing in fourth place—just shy of bracelet glory.

The dynamic German player won’t be sticking around for the full series this year but is locked in for two marquee events: the Millionaire Maker and the Main Event. Despite praising the newly updated WSOP+ app, Kniep encountered a frustrating hiccup when the system failed to recognize him, effectively erasing his tournament history. Still, that anonymity might just work in his favor when he next reaches a final table.

Stay tuned for more updates on Kniep as he chases redemption and a gold bracelet in Las Vegas

Player	Chips	Progress
Andreas Kniep	30,000 30,000	30,000

Tags: Andreas Kniep

Level: 4

Blinds: 200/400

Ante: 400

06-03-2025 12:59 UTC-8

Break Time

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Joseph Berg

Level 3 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

The players in Event #17 are on a 15 minute break.

06-03-2025 12:52 UTC-8

Julien Sitbon Back to Grind the Series and Add Another Bracelet to his Resume

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 3 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Julien Sitbon, a seasoned professional from France with over $4 million in career earnings, is back at the World Series of Poker and eyeing another bracelet to add to his growing collection. Before poker took over, Sitbon pursued a career in acting back in France—and if he weren’t crushing the felt, that’s where he says he’d return.

He’s been grinding for six days straight and is committed to playing the full series. Although his favorite event—the $10,000 Mystery Bounty—didn’t go his way this year, Sitbon has quickly regrouped and is laser-focused on making deep runs in the days ahead.

Player	Chips	Progress
Julien Sitbon	30,000

Tags: Julien Sitbon

06-03-2025 12:34 UTC-8

Georgios Skarparis Back to Collect Another Bracelet

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 3 : Blinds 200/300, 300 ante

Fresh off cashes at the Irish Open, EPT Cyprus, and the Merit Poker Western Series in Kyrenia, Georgios Skarparis has arrived in Las Vegas with one goal in mind: adding another World Series of Poker bracelet to his collection.

The Cypriot poker pro is best known for conquering a massive 6,076-player field to win the $1,000 Mini Main No-Limit Hold’em event at the 2024 WSOP. He's back and ready to make another deep run.

This marks Skarparis’s first event of the summer, though not by choice. A delay in receiving his passport meant he couldn’t verify his WSOP+ app and officially register. While waiting for the passport to arrive by mail, he stayed sharp by grinding at nearby casinos, where he logged several deep runs and cashes. Call it a warm-up for what he hopes will be another memorable WSOP marathon.

Player	Chips	Progress
Georgios Skarparis	30,000 30,000	30,000

Tags: Georgios Skarparis

Level: 3

Blinds: 200/300

Ante: 300

06-03-2025 12:14 UTC-8

Hinkle Starting Well Due to Omelet

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 2 : Blinds 100/200, 200 ante

Many poker players have their rituals and superstitions, and for Blair Hinkle, food sometimes plays a role in his routine. If he runs well after eating a particular meal, he’ll often stick with it until the luck runs out. This year, it was the meat lovers' omelet at Alexxa's in Paris that powered him to victory.

Hinkle captured the title in this very event in 2008. While it’s his aggressive and confident style of play that truly fuels his success, even the best players don’t mind having a lucky charm or two.

After this tournament, Hinkle will be heading home for a short break before returning to play in two of his favorite World Series of Poker events: the Millionaire Maker and the Monster Stack. And if history—and omelets—are any indicator, we haven’t seen the last of him this summer.

A look through his Hendon Mob profile reveals a long list of first-place finishes, and with this latest win, Hinkle has proven once again that he's a force to be reckoned with at the WSOP.

Player	Chips	Progress
Blair Hinkle	75,000 45,000	45,000

Tags: Blair Hinkle