Narcis Nedelcu had already won or chopped many of the pots during the Stud Hi-Lo round as he extends his chip lead.
Narcis Nedelcu: XxXx / 8♣A♣J♥J♠ / Xx
Jonatas Freitas: XxXx / Q♣6♥10♦3♣ / Xx
Action picked up on seventh as several bets had already gone into the middle. Nedelcu led for the final time, which send Freitas into the tank. He eventually flicked in the call, and Nedelcu tabled A♥K♥3♠ in the hole for two pair, aces and jacks, which was good to scoop a big one and extend his chip lead.
Steve Billirakis raised on the button and John Cipriano defended his big blind.
Both plaeyrs drew two on the first draw and then Cipriano check-called a bet from Billirakis.
On the second draw, both players drew one and then checked.
Cipriano stood pat and Billirakis drew one on the end. Cipriano led out for a bet and Billirakis shook his head before laying his hand down.
No-Limit Hold'em
On the very next hand, Billirakis shoved with J♠10♠ from the cutoff and was three-bet by Joseph Ricardo on the button holding pocket threes. Everyone else folded and the board paired Billirakis' ten to award him a much-needed double up.
Christian Malick raised from the cutoff before Walter Treccarichi three-bet from the small blind. Elaine Rawn cold-called in the big blind and Malick came along as well.
Treccarichi took one and led while the others took two and called.
On the second draw, Treccarichi still needed one, Rawn took one, and Malick took two. Treccarichi led again and both opponents called.
Treccarichi was now pat while the others took one. Treccarichi led for a final time and both quickly folded as Treccarichi scooped a big one without showdown.
In the 903rd episode of the PokerNews Podcast, Chad Holloway is joined by special fill-in cohosts Team PokerStars Pro Jennifer Shahade and Josh Abady of Play Live Melbourne to discuss the latest in the poker industry, including the latest on the alleged chip-dumping incident from the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Millionaire Maker event. Winner Jesse Yaginuma did get paid the $1,000,000 bonus, but he and runner-up James Carroll are still awaiting a decision by WSOP officials on the regular prize money.
Another big story was Golden Nugget cancelling their $1 million guaranteed tournament, much to the dismay of several players, including Kyna England. The hosts discuss the decision and examine the larger concept of guarantees within the poker world. You'll then get highlights from a pair of Meet-Up Games (MUGs), including the PokerNews one at Planet Hollywood and the PokerStars one at Resorts World, where the first $5,300 Main Event seat to November's NAPT was awarded. See who the lucky winner was!
Next, get a sneak peek at the new show Hellmuth's Home Game presented by Poker Night in America (PNIA), a discussion on the state of poker in Australia, and a look ahead to the 2025 WSOP Main Event, which will kick off this week!
A new PokerNews Podcast will drop twice a week during the 2025 WSOP every Thursday and Sunday at 8a PT / 11a ET / 4p UK time. Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel so you do not miss an episode!
A bracelet will be awarded today at the Horseshoe Event Center as Event #73: $1,500 Eight Game Mix sees just 14 players remain in pursuit of the bracelet from a total field of 789 entries. The remaining players return at 1 p.m. local time to play down to winner, with all eyes on the first-place prize of $184,682.
Leading the final 14 is Narcis Nedelcu, who was propelled up the counts after scooping a massive Stud Hi-Lo hand late last night, ending with 3,225,000. Nedelcu is most closely followed by Walter Treccarichi with 1,955,000. The podium is rounded out by Jonatas Freitas, who bagged 1,805,000.
Walter Treccarichi
Start of Day 3 Chip Counts
Rank
Player
Country
Chip Count
1
Narcis Nedelcu
Romania
3,225,000
2
Walter Treccarichi
Italy
1,955,000
3
Jonatas Freitas
Brazil
1,805,000
4
Kevin Pahl
United States
1,500,000
5
Nicolas Milgrom
France
1,475,000
6
Elaine Rawn
Canada
1,455,000
7
Benjamin Miner
United States
1,390,000
8
Mark Liedtke
United States
1,300,000
9
Christian Malick
United States
1,270,000
10
John Cipriano
United States
1,065,000
11
Joseph Ricardo
United States
1,050,000
12
Xixiang Luo
China
975,000
13
Scott Abrams
United States
810,000
14
Steve Billirakis
United States
435,000
Action resumes in Level 26 with big bet blinds of 15,000/30,000 and limits of 60,000/120,000 with an average stack of 1,400,000, or just just under 12 big bets. Play will commence at 1 p.m. at the feature tables in the Horseshoe Event Center, and play will continue until a winner is crowned and a bracelet is awarded. Levels will be 60 minutes in length through to the conclusion of the event.
Remaining Payouts
Place
Prize
1
$184,682
2
$123,086
3
$83,448
4
$57,675
5
$40,653
6
$29,234
7
$21,457
8-9
$16,081
10-11
$12,311
12-14
$9,663
Stay tuned to PokerNews for all the action from Event #73: $1,500 Eight Game Mix and all events here at the 2025 World Series of Poker.