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Event #18: $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship
Day 3 Completed
2025 World Series of Poker
Event #18: $10,000 Dealers Choice 6-Handed Championship
Day: 3
Event Info
2025 World Series of Poker
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
Buy-in
$10,000
Prize Pool
$1,413,600
Total Entries
152
Level
25
Blinds
0 / 0
Ante
0
Entries
14
Players Left
3
Players Left 1 / 152
Filter
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
An early whistle blew on Day 3 of Event #18: $10,000 Dealers Choice with Ryan Hoenig finding himself in an all-too familiar position: atop the chip counts.
Hoenig bagged the chip lead for the third straight day as three players will need an extra day to crown a champion. Hoenig finished with 4,995,000, while Dylan Smith (2,220,000) and Philip Sternheimer (1,910,000) will try to track him down once play resumes tomorrow at 1 p.m. local time.
Day 3 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ryan Hoenig | United States | 4,995,000 | 25 |
| 2 | Dylan Smith | United States | 2,220,000 | 11 |
| 3 | Philip Sternheimer | United Kingdom | 1,910,000 | 10 |
All three players are seeking their first World Series of Poker bracelet. Hoenig has come the closest, finishing runner-up in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo event in 2023. Smith has three previous WSOP final tables, including fourth place in the $50,000 Poker Players Championship last year, while Sternheimer has lasted this far in a WSOP event in 2013, when he finished third in the $2,500 10-Game Mix event.
Day 3 began with 14 players remaining out of a starting field of 152. Danish poker legend Gus Hansen was in search of his first WSOP final table since 2011 but was the first to fall, getting his short stack in against Nick Guagenti in Pot-Limit Omaha as Guagenti made a flush to bust Hansen in 14th place. Hoenig then made an 8-5 to bust Allan Le in 13th and bring the field down to the last two tables.
Guagenti (12th) and Bariscan Betil (11th) were the next to head to the payout desk, while Andrew Kelsall, who at one point yesterday was forced all in blind on the money bubble, had his chip-and-a-chair story end in tenth place. Dan Zack was eliminated in ninth when Smith scooped a Badeucy pot, while Jon Turner fell in eighth to set the seven-handed final table.
Smith had taken the chip lead at the start of the final table with 1,800,000, followed by Sternheimer with 1,790,000 and Hoenig at 1,430,000. It took nearly three hours and two full levels before the final table witnessed its first bustout, and it happened to be three-time WSOP champion Adam Friedman. Friedman got in his last chips in playing Stud Hi-Lo against Matthew Vengrin, who had trip fives that were good enough to win the pot and bust Friedman in seventh place.
Smith made an 8-5-3-2-A in Razz to bust two-time bracelet winner Brandon Cantu in sixth, while Hoenig flopped trip eights in Big O to send Vengrin to the rail in fifth.
Dario Alioto, who was left short-stacked after a Stud Hi-Lo confrontation with Hoenig, doubled up once but then got his last 375,000 in against Sternheimer in Big O. Sternheimer hit two pair on the flop and Alioto couldn’t catch up as the Italian bracelet winner finished in fourth place.
Sternheimer made an 8-5 against Smith to leave Smith on a short stack, but Smith then managed to crack Sternheimer’s aces by flopping trips to double up to more than 1,500,000. On the last hand of the night, Hoenig picked off Sternheimer’s 500,000 river bet with a set of fives to win a massive pot and end up atop the leaderboard yet again.
Final Table Results/Remaining Payouts
| Place | Player | Country | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $354,444 | ||
| 2 | $230,374 | ||
| 3 | $154,460 | ||
| 4 | Dario Alioto | Italy | $106,935 |
| 5 | Matthew Vengrin | United States | $76,525 |
| 6 | Brandon Cantu | United States | $56,671 |
The action picks up Friday on Level 25 with no-limit blinds of 25,000/50,000 and limits of 100,000/200,000. The three remaining players are guaranteed $154,460, while the champion takes home $354,444.
PokerNews will be back following all the action as the Dealers Choice final table goes into overtime tomorrow until a new mixed-game master is crowned.
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
The final three players have bagged up for the night, as the event will need an added day to crown a champion.
Stay tuned for a recap of the day.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
4,995,000
50,000
|
50,000 |
|
||
|
2,220,000
80,000
|
80,000 |
|
1,910,000 | |
|
|
||
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Pot-Limit Omaha
On the last hand of the night, Philip Sternheimer raised to 120,000 in the small blind and Ryan Hoenig called in the big blind.
Sternheimer continued for 125,000 on the 9♠3♣2♠ flop and Hoenig called. The turn was the 5♥ and Sternheimer bet another 275,000. Hoenig again called.
The river was the 8♥ and Sternheimer bet 500,000. Hoenig let out a loud sigh as he went deep into the tank. "I trapped on the flop," Hoenig said.
"I'll show you. I'll let you squeeze my cards," Sternheimer told him.
"Are you a nice guy, Phil? You seem like a nice guy," Hoenig added.
"I hope you make the wrong decision," Sternheimer replied.
"Life is good either way," Hoenig said as he called.
"Can I squeeze your cards? Because I have a set too," Sternheimer asked, grabbing Hoenig's cards. He eventually exposed Hoenig's A♣5♣5♦3♦ and mucked his own cards as Hoenig ended the night with a monster pot.
The remaining three players are bagging up their chips for the night.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5,045,000
1,045,000
|
1,045,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,910,000
1,090,000
|
1,090,000 |
|
|
||
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better
Dylan Smith raised on the button and Philip Sternheimer reraised in the small blind. Ryan Hoenig made it four bets in the big blind and both opponents called.
The flop came 6♠6♣4♦ and Hoenig bet. Smith called and Sternheimer raised as both Hoenig and Smith called.
The turn was the K♠ and Sternheimer bet. Hoenig called, while Smith got out of the way.
Sternheimer bet again on the 2♠ river and Hoenig called. Sternheimer turned over A♥A♦J♦3♦ for aces and a low, and Hoenig mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,000,000
400,000
|
400,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,000,000
500,000
|
500,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,300,000
200,000
|
200,000 |
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
2-7 Triple Draw
Dylan Smith raised on the button and called after Ryan Hoenig three-bet in the big blind.
Both players asked for single card, with Hoenig leading out and Smith raising. The call was made and both players stood pat. Hoenig checked and called a bet from Smith.
Neither player broke on the final draw, with Hoenig check-calling the last bet from Smith.
Smith showed 7x6x5x4x2x to earn the pot as Hoenig mucked.
"Nice hand," said Hoenig. "You did the pursed lip thing, pursed lip is always a fold."
"I balance my pursed lips," replied Smith as he stacked some more chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,400,000
600,000
|
600,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,500,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,100,000
500,000
|
500,000 |
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Pot-Limit Omaha
Dylan Smith raised to 140,000 on the button, Philip Sternheimer potted in the small blind, and Smith got his last 620,000 in the middle.
Dylan Smith: K♠K♥J♦8♦ 
Philip Sternheimer: A♠A♦5♣3♦
Smith's kings were behind Sternheimer's aces, but he spiked trips on the 5♠8♠8♥ flop to take the lead. The rest of the board ran out 2♥10♥ and Smith doubled up.
A few hands later, Ryan Hoenig raised to 120,000 in the small blind and Smith reraised to 360,000 in the big blind. Hoenig called to see the J♣3♠4♣ flop, where Smith potted. Hoenig quickly folded and Smith took down another pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5,000,000
200,000
|
200,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,400,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,600,000
850,000
|
850,000 |
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Pot-Limit Omaha
Ryan Hoenig raised to 80,000 on the button and Philip Sternheimer called in the big blind.
The flop came A♠2♠7♣ and Hoenig bet 70,000. Sternheimer called and the 7♥ fell on the turn.
Sternheimer then led out for 130,000 and Hoenig called. The river was the 2♣ and Sternheimer bet another 350,000. Hoenig quickly called.
Sternheimer pointed to him as a signal for Hoenig to show, and Hoenig turned over 9♥7♦6♣4♦ for trips. "I had a different hand than I thought I did. I had an ace and a flush draw. I didn't realize that," Steinheimer said as he mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5,200,000
650,000
|
650,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,100,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
|
||
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
2-7 Triple Draw
Dylan Smith raised on the button, and Ryan Hoenig made the call in the big blind.
Hoenig drew two cards, as did Smith, who fired out a bet that was called. Hoenig took another two while Smith drew one and committed his remaining stack. Hoenig called and announced pat. Smith also stood pat.
"King," said Hoenig, while Smith tabled 9x6x4x3x2x to stay alive and double his stack.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,550,000
250,000
|
250,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,800,000
200,000
|
200,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
750,000
450,000
|
450,000 |
Level 24
Limit Flop/Draw: 40,000-80,000, 80,000-160,000 Limit
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
Stud Games: 20,000 Ante, 20,000 Bring-In, 80,000 Completion 80,000-160,000 Limits
No-Limit & Pot-Limit: 40,000/60,000 Ante, 20,000-40,000 Blinds
2-7 Triple Draw
Ryan Hoenig raised on the button and Dylan Smith reraised in the small blind. Philip Sternheimer called in the big blind, while Hoenig also called.
Smith drew one, Sternheimer two, and Hoenig three. Smith then bet and Sternheimer raised. Hoenig got out of the way, but Smith called.
Smith again drew one and Sternheimer stood pat and bet. Smith called and both players stood pat.
Sternheimer put out another bet and Smith spent more than a minute fiddling with his chips and shaking his head in disbelief before calling. Sternheimer showed 8x5x4x3x2x and Smith mucked.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
4,800,000
600,000
|
600,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
4,000,000
1,350,000
|
1,350,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
300,000
750,000
|
750,000 |
