Event #17: $2,000 No-Limit Holdem Day 3 | 2025 World Series of Poker

06-05-2025 21:08 UTC-8

Back-to-Back Battles for Zhou

Sava Krink

Level 33 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Quan Zhou has been on a bit of a rollercoaster, playing back-to-back hands.

In the first, Umesh Babusukumar opened from the button to 600,000. It folded to Zhou in the big blind, who took his time, checking both his cards and his stack more than once before opting for a three-bet to 1,950,000. Babusukumar wasted no time and shoved all in, putting Zhou to the test for his tournament life. After some thought, Zhou decided to let it go.

On the very next hand, Benjamin Williams raised to 600,000 from the cutoff, and Zhou called after another careful look at his chips.

The flop came 3♦A♣7♠, and both players checked.

When the A♦ hit the turn, Zhou took the initiative and fired 950,000, which was enough to get a fold from Williams.

Player	Chips	Progress
Umesh Babusukumar	16,200,000 4,765,000	4,765,000
Benjamin Williams	8,520,000 1,280,000	1,280,000
Quan Zhou	5,750,000 4,750,000	4,750,000

Tags: Benjamin WIlliams Quan Zhou Umesh Babusukumar

06-05-2025 21:31 UTC-8

Smith Wins the Battle of the Blinds

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Nataly Sopacuaperu

Level 33 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Dusti Smith called in the small blind, Quan Zhou checked. Both players saw the flop J♠9♥J♣.

Smith check-called the bet of 300,000 from Zhou to see the turn J♥. On the river 2♦, Smith check-called again a bet of 575,000 from Zhou. Both players checked to the showdown.

As soon as Smith revealed her cards 10♥10♠, Zhou mucked his cards. The full house of Smith clearly made her win the pot.

Player	Chips	Progress
Dusti Smith	8,500,000 1,100,000	1,100,000

Quan Zhou	4,500,000 1,250,000	1,250,000

Tags: Dusti Smith Quan Zhou

06-05-2025 21:37 UTC-8

Smith Wins Pot with Pure Aggression

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 33 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

When Dusti Smith enters a pot, it’s hard to miss—her signature chip toss lands with a confident clank, a subtle signal that action is coming.

Smith raised to 675,000 from the button, and Scott Bohlman mulled it over before firing back with a three-bet to 1,800,000 from the small blind. After a brief tank, Smith moved all in. Before the dealer could even begin counting down the stack, Bohlman quickly released his hand.

After weathering some earlier setbacks, Smith is steadily rebuilding her stack—and doing it with style.

Player	Chips	Progress
Scott Bohlman	10,400,000 2,750,000	2,750,000

Dusti Smith	8,600,000 100,000	100,000

Tags: Dusti Smith Scott Bohlman

06-05-2025 21:45 UTC-8

Break Time

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Nataly Sopacuaperu

Level 33 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Players will have a 15-minute break.

06-05-2025 21:50 UTC-8

Benjamin Williams Eliminated in 5th Place ($113,617)

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Sava Krink

Level 33 : Blinds 150,000/300,000, 300,000 ante

Benjamin Williams opened the action from under the gun with a raise to 600,000. It folded around to Scott Bohlman in the small blind, who responded with a three-bet to 1,650,000. Williams took his time, then came back over the top with a four-bet to 2,950,000. Bohlman didn’t hesitate, he moved all in, and Williams snap-called.

Benjamin Williams: K♦K♥ All in
Scott Bohlman: A♦A♥

Williams shook his head as the cards were revealed, knowing he’d need a lot of help to survive. But the 8♥2♥7♦Q♠4♥ board offered no miracles, and his run came to an end.

Player	Chips	Progress
Scott Bohlman	23,900,000 13,500,000	13,500,000

Umesh Babusukumar	13,800,000 2,400,000	2,400,000
Dusti Smith	10,300,000 1,700,000	1,700,000

Quan Zhou	3,200,000 1,300,000	1,300,000
Benjamin Williams	Busted

Tags: Benjamin WIlliams Scott Bohlman

Level: 34

Blinds: 200,000/400,000

Ante: 400,000

06-05-2025 22:31 UTC-8

Quan Zhou Eliminated in 4th Place ($153,576)

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 34 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

After three grueling days of high-stakes poker, Quan Zhou's deep run came to an end in a pivotal pot against Dusti Smith. A fierce and focused competitor throughout Day 3, Zhou displayed unwavering composure until the very last hand.

In his final stand, Zhou raised from the cutoff, committing nearly all of his chips—2,900,000—while leaving just 250,000 behind. Action folded around to Smith in the big blind, who took her time to consider the spot. After a moment of calculation, she declared, “All in.”

Zhou, already on his feet, snap-called with his tournament life on the line.

Quan Zhou: A♦3♦ All in
Dusti Smith: J♠10♥

The board ran out with something for everyone Q♦6♣8♦5♣9♠, a tantalizing spread that offered a little something for everyone. But in the end, none of the draws connected for Zhou. It was Smith who found the magic on the river, completing her straight with the 9♠ to seal the knockout blow.

Zhou gave a joyful handshake to each opponent as he exited, wrapping up an impressive run with grace. Smith, meanwhile, continues her climb with momentum firmly on her side.

Player	Chips	Progress
Dusti Smith	13,500,000 3,200,000	3,200,000

Quan Zhou	Busted

Tags: Dusti Smith Quan Zhou

06-05-2025 22:41 UTC-8

Babusukumar Turns the Tables with Bold River Shove

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Sava Krink

Level 34 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Umesh Babusukumar opened the action with a raise to 800,000 on the button, and Scott Bohlman made the call from the big blind.

The flop came A♠A♣3♣, and both players checked.

On the 4♣ turn, Bohlman took the lead with a bet of 400,000. Babusukumar glanced back at his cards before making the call.

The 5♦ river brought more pressure, as Bohlman fired again, this time for 2,000,000. With just around 7,000,000 behind, Babusukumar was put to a tough decision. He took his time, then moved all in. Bohlman quickly folded, sending the pot to Babusukumar without a showdown.

Player	Chips	Progress
Scott Bohlman	26,800,000 2,900,000	2,900,000

Dusti Smith	12,300,000 1,200,000	1,200,000

Umesh Babusukumar	12,100,000 1,700,000	1,700,000

Tags: Scott Bohlman Umesh Babusukumar

06-05-2025 22:52 UTC-8

Smith Pulls out a Straight Again

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 34 : Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante

Scott Bohlman raised to 800,000 on the button, and both Umesh Babusukumar Dusti Smith called from the blinds.

The flop was A♠J♣2♣ and everyone checked. On the turn 4♠, Babusukumar checked, Smith bet 1,475,000, Bohlman quickly folded, and Babusukumar called.

The river was the 7♣ and Babusukumar opted to lead with a bet of 2,000,000. Without missing a beat, Smith tossed in the call and flipped over 5♣3♥ for a straight. Babusukumar showed A♦9♥ for a pair of aces.