Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Day 1 | 2025 World Series of Poker

06-04-2025 19:41 UTC-7

Kessler is Cursed

Tim Baker

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

Limits: 1000-3,500

Jiacong Zhang opened to 3,000 from early position, and Stuart Rutter called from middle position. Action folded to Allen Kessler in the big blind, who moved all in for his last 9,300. Both Zhang and Rutter called, prompting Kessler to say, "the PokerNews curse," suggesting the presence of a reporter had already sealed his fate.

With Kessler at risk, the flop came K♦2♣9♣ and both players checked. On the J♦ turn, Zhang bet pot, forcing Rutter to fold.

Allen Kessler: A♣K♠K♥3♦ All in
Jiacong Zhang: A♦Q♠10♦7♥

Kessler had flopped top set, but Zhang turned a straight, leaving Kessler needing the board to pair to survive.

The 7♦ river changed nothing, sending Kessler to the rail, still muttering about the "PokerNews curse" as he exited.

Player	Chips	Progress
Steven Rutter	100,000 100,000	100,000
Jiacong Zhang	90,000 90,000	90,000
Allen Kessler	Busted

Tags: Allen Kessler Jiacong Zhang Stuart Rutter

06-04-2025 19:14 UTC-7

Approaching One Thousand Entries

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Jerome Solomon

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

Limits: 1000-3,500

With two 40-minute levels remaining for registration, the event has 979 entries.

Level: 8

Limits: 1000-3,500

06-04-2025 19:00 UTC-7

Reymer Running Over the Table

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Tim Baker

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Limits: 800-2,800

https://twitter.com/FossilMan/status/1930436066710040656

Player	Chips	Progress
Greg Raymer	55,000 28,000	28,000

06-04-2025 18:58 UTC-7

Cunningham Has A Look

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Jerome Solomon

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Limits: 800-2,800

Mark Cunningham is enjoying his status as one of the most photographed players at the WSOP.

People can't help but stop and take pics of the fine southern gentleman from Tulsa, and he appreciates the attention that his look — a mesh of Wild Bill Hickock and Marilyn Manson in a three-piece suit — elicits.

"Well, I am sexy," Cunningham said.

Player	Chips	Progress
Mark Cunningham	29,000 29,000	29,000

Tags: Mark Cunningham

06-04-2025 18:58 UTC-7

Michael Tannenbaum

Busted

Table 138Seat 2

06-04-2025 18:54 UTC-7

Notable Chip Updates

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Tim Baker

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Limits: 800-2,800

Player	Chips	Progress
Wagner Wysotchanski	98,000 45,000	45,000
Christopher Vitch	98,000 50,000	50,000

Scott Clements	96,500 29,500	29,500

Alex Foxen	82,500 55,500	55,500

Shaun Deeb	77,000 13,000	13,000

Daisuke Ogita	58,000 6,000	6,000
Jeff Madsen	57,500 17,500	17,500

Dylan Weisman	53,200 1,800	1,800

Viktor Blom	45,000 10,000	10,000
Ari Engel	40,000

Brandon Shack-Harris	37,900 2,100	2,100

Brek Schutten	30,000 10,000	10,000

James Chen (US)	29,000 6,000	6,000

Kathy Liebert	29,000 8,000	8,000

Brad Ruben	27,000 18,000	18,000

Greg Raymer	27,000 3,000	3,000
David "ODB" Baker	25,000 40,000	40,000

06-04-2025 18:49 UTC-7

Michael Tannenbaum

33,000 1,000

Table 138Seat 2

06-04-2025 18:44 UTC-7

Valdez Leading Early

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Jerome Solomon

Level 7 : Blinds 400/800, 800 ante

Limits: 800-2,800

Ramon Valdez of Tuscon was the chip leader at the second break. The first time he has ever led a big tournament in chips at any point.

Of course, when you knock out three players in the first six levels, you’re going to accumulate chips.

When asked if any hand stood out in his buildup, Valdez smiled and pointed to Matthew Bretzfield.

Valdez scooped a huge pot from a three-way, all-in situation involving Valdez and another player. His runner-runner to a straight negated Bretzfield’s double-nut flop.