Low Card: 1000
Completion: 3000
Limits: 3000-6000
An action-packed day at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas saw 100 players turn up for Event #25: $10,000 Seven Card Stud Championship in a who's who of top poker talent. After a modest eight hours of play, it was five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Adam Friedman who bagged the chip lead of the 46 remaining players after accumulating a stack worth 420,000.
Friedman is well known for his prowess in mixed games, having accomplished arguably one of the greatest feats in WSOP history by winning the $10k Dealer's Choice in three consecutive years. In 2022, Friedman won this very event after overcoming a 96 player field and will surely be looking to cement his poker legacy with another repeat-championship to his name.
Not far behind is WSOP veteran Dan Heimiller (364,500), coming in hot after securing his third bracelet in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud. Rounding out the top three is none other than Daniel Negreanu, who will be looking for redemption after a runner-up finish in the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship.
End of Day 1 Top Ten Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adam Friedman | United States | 420,000 |
| 2 | Daniel Heimiller | United States | 364,500 |
| 3 | Daniel Negreanu | Canada | 302,000 |
| 4 | Dylan Weisman | United States | 263,500 |
| 5 | Per Hildebrand | Sweden | 244,000 |
| 6 | Karl Tretter | United States | 211,000 |
| 7 | George Alexander | United States | 208,000 |
| 8 | Brian Yoon | United States | 188,500 |
| 9 | Bryce Yockey | United States | 187,000 |
| 10 | Eric Wasserson | United States | 170,000 |
Multiple past-winners of this event are also still in, including 2021 champion Anthony Zinno (96,000), 2023 champion Brian Yoon (188,500), and defending champion James Obst (130,000).
Day 1 Highlights
Day 1 began with 17 players taking their seats, but it didn't take long for the tables to fill as notables found their way to the tournament area. Poker Hall of Famer and producer Mori Eskandani got out to an early and massive lead after making a full house in a multi-way pot against Phil Ivey, Chris Hunichen, and Hal Rotholz.
Friedman also got off to a good start by making a straight in a large pot against Yoon on seventh street; however, not everyone was as fortunate. Following the first break, a steady stream of eliminations saw several players exit, including Ivey, Josh Arieh, John Hennigan, Todd Brunson, Ali Eslami, and Scott Seiver — who fell to Zinno after Zinno made a full house against his trips.
As day became evening, several late-arrivals hopped in, hoping to run up a stack quickly or bust. While Heimiller, Dylan Weisman, and Eric Wasserson were among the players to successfully do so. Many more fell in short order, including Jake Schwartz, Jon Turner, John Monnette, and Brandon Cantu.
Two more late arrivals—Tom McCormick and Gus Hansen—took their seats shortly before Day 1 concluded. McMormick enjoyed a glass of red wine and told his tablemates stories before ending with a bag worth 70,500, while "The Great Dane" more-or-less ended where he started with 63,000 and will have some work to in Day 2.
Day 2 is scheduled to get underway on June 7 at 1 p.m. on Level 11, which features a bring-in of 1,000 and betting limits of 4,000/8,000. Late registration will remain open until until the start of Level 12 and levels will continue to last 60 minutes each until Level 16 — at which point levels will increase to 90 minutes each.
The action is just getting warmed up, so be sure to stick with PokerNews as we continue to bring you all the action leading to the next $10,000 Stud Champion!
