Jeffrey Hakim opened to 160,000 from the hijack, and when action folded to Ka Kwan Lau in the big blind, he moved all in for 315,000. Action returned to Hakim, who made the call.
Ka Kwan Lau: Q♣8♦7♣7♥
Jeffrey Hakim: A♠K♦6♥5♠
A promising start for Lau on the 9♣4♣7♦ flop, giving him a set and a flush draw. Hakim had an open-ended straight draw, and the turn 2♦ gave him more straight outs.
The 3♣ river completed Hakim's straight, but also Lau's flush, giving him a full double up.
Scott Bohlman opened to 175,000 from under the gun, and David Eldridge called on the button. Both players checked the 9♥J♥Q♥ flop before Bohlman led out for 225,000 on the 8♣ turn.
Eldridge called to see the 3♠ river, where Bohlman moved all in for 795,000.
After using a time extension, Eldridge opted to let his hand go and Bohlman collected the pot.
Najeem Ajez raised from the hijack to 175,000, and when action got to Anson Tsang, he moved all in for 555,000. Ajez wasn't thrilled with the situation; nevertheless, he opted to call.
Anson Tsang: A♠A♥5♥4♠
Najeem Ajez: 9♥6♠5♠4♥
A promising situation for Tsang, who had pocket aces and both of his opponent's suits covered.
The flop came down 7♥6♥10♣, giving Ajez some renewed hope with a pair of sixes and straight draw, but the 2♦ turn and 7♣ river were no help.
Tsangs' stack was double-checked before Ajez paid him his dues.
Talal Shakerchi raised to 150,000 from under the gun, Jeffrey Hakim called on the button, and the big blind came along too.
Shakerchi continued for 225,000 on the 2♣A♣J♣ flop, Hakim called, and the big blind got out of the way.
The turn 10♥ didn't slow Shakerchi down, betting again, this time for 350,000. Undeterred, Hakim called once more.
Shakerchi slowed down on the 3♦ river, checking over to Hakim. Hakim then took over the betting, sliding out 825,000. This was enough to take down the pot, as Shakerchi returned his cards to the dealer face down.
Tomasz Gluszko opened the action from the hijack with a raise to 125,000, and Phil Ivey defended his big blind to see a flop.
The dealer spread 10♠K♣7♠, and after Ivey checked, Gluszko continued for 325,000. Ivey took his time, then moved all in. Gluszko quickly called.
Ivey had a flush draw and top pair with K♠8♠3♥2♥, while Gluszko held K♦J♣XxXx for at least top pair. The 4♦ on the turn didn’t change a thing, but the A♠ on the river gave Ivey the flush, and he secured a double-up.
Najeem Ajez opened to 175,000 in the cutoff and Ben Lamb three-bet to 600,000 from the big blind. Ajez called and they went heads-up to a flop of J♦10♠7♠. Lamb shoved all in for his last 765,000 and Ajez quickly called.
Ben Lamb: A♣K♠Q♦J♣
Najeem Ajez: K♥Q♥9♠2♠
Both players flopped wraps, but it was Lamb who currently held the best hand. The K♦ on the turn gave Lamb Broadway and he just needed to fade a spade that would give Ajez the flush.
The 9♦ on the river gave Lamb the needed double up.
Welcome back to PokerNews coverage of Event #51: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha at the 2025 World Series of Poker, held at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
After registration closed yesterday, there were 489 total entries. That created a prize pool of $11.5 million, the majority of which is still yet to be awarded. The remaining 28 players will all have their eyes on the $2,292,155 first-place prize and the gold bracelet.
The remaining field is stacked with notable names. Some of the headliners are three of the top ten on the all-time tournament earnings list. Bryn Kenney, who is first on that list, comes into Day 3 with 3,965,000. He's looking for his third bracelet, and first live bracelet since 2014.
In ninth on the money list is Isaac Haxton. He'll start the day with 3,545,000. Haxton has a reputation as one of the smartest players in poker, and this prestigious bracelet would only enhance that reputation. His previous bracelet came in a $25,000 No-Limit Hold'em event back in 2023. A victory in another high buy-in event, this time with four cards, would be quite the feat.
Phil Ivey
Last of the three members of the top ten earners, but certainly not least, is Phil Ivey. Ivey comes to the day as one of the shorter stacks, with just 785,000. Things can change quickly in PLO however, so no player, especially not one with Ivey's capabilities, should be written off. Ivey has won 11 bracelets at the WSOP in his career, two of them being in PLO. If he were to win this tournament, it would be his first bracelet in an event with a buy-in greater than $10,000.
We also have two former WSOP Players of the Year remaining. Erick Lindgren was the Player of the Year back in 2008. That was when he won his first bracelet. He added another back in 2013, but hasn't tasted any WSOP gold since then. He will start the day with 1,985,000 chips.
The other former POY is Ben Lamb. Lamb has his picture on the wall in the Horseshoe for being named the POY in 2011. He's a force to be reckoned with when it comes to four-card games as his bracelet in 2011 was in a $10,000 PLO event.
Day 3 Top Ten Chip Counts
Rank
Player
Country
Chip Count
Big Blinds
1
Najeem Ajez
Australia
7,845,000
157
2
Lautaro Guerra
Spain
6,444,000
129
3
Tomasz Gluszko
Poland
4,400,000
88
4
Petko Tsakov
United States
4,255,000
85
5
Gjergj Sinishtaj
United States
4,255,000
85
6
Daniel Geeng
United States
4,205,000
84
7
Bryn Kenney
United States
3,965,000
79
8
Talal Shakerchi
United Kingdom
3,850,000
77
9
Frank Brannan
United States
3,565,000
71
10
Isaac Haxton
United States
3,545,000
71
The action will resume at 12 p.m. local time. Blinds will be 25,000/50,000 with a 50,000 big blind ante. Be sure to stay locked in on PokerNews for all the happenings on Day 3 here in this tournament, as well as every bracelet event at the 2025 WSOP.
