Day 2 of $25,000 Heads-Up Event to Feature 16 Returning Players
What began as 64 players chasing the $500,000 first-place prize is now down to 16 entrants vying for the bracelet in Event #7: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship after two rounds of play at the 2025 World Series of Poker at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Harvey Castro will be one of the 16 players returning for Day 2. Castro punched his ticket to the final 16 by dispatching Cary Katz in the first round after winning a flip. Castro’s day did not get any easier as he faced off against returning 2024 WSOP Player of the Year Scott Seiver in the second round. Castro’s pocket aces managed to dispatch Seiver to advance to the third round of play.
The match that created the most buzz was a showdown between Alex Foxen and Phil Ivey in the second round. Ivey got off to an early lead over Foxen, but Foxen climbed back into the duel as the two jockeyed for position in a tightly contested match. Foxen eventually overtook Ivey before sending the 11-time bracelet winner to the rail. Foxen will return on Day 2 on a quest for his fourth bracelet, resuming play against Thomas Eychenne.
Heads-up specialist Kevin Rabichow is among the notable players returning for Day 2. Rabichow knocked out Rick Salomon in the first round before sending Chanracy Khun packing in the second round of play as he chases his potential first bracelet of his career.
Chance Kornuth's hopes of a fifth bracelet are still alive after defeating the formidable John Smith in the first round. Kornuth spoiled the hopes of Edward Sebesta by cracking his pocket kings to advance, much to the dismay of his opponent.
Other notable players set to return include Patrick Leonard , Artur Martirosian, and Joao Vieira.
Play is scheduled to resume on Saturday, May 31, at 12 p.m. local time for two more rounds of play. Day 2 will see the players enter the money as the final eight players are guaranteed at least $86,000, with the top prize of $500,000. The final four players will return for Day 3 on Sunday, June 1, and will play down until a champion is crowned.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for more updates on Day 2 action and the journey to a bracelet winner and heads-up champion.