In some parts of the world, they say that three is the magic number. Today sees Day 3 of the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event, the third-biggest Main Event of all time.
With the prize pool confirmed and a cool $10,000,000 awaiting the winner, the surviving field now combines for the very first time as they set their sights on continuing their Main Event journey.
The next stop? The money. From the starting field of 9,735, just 3,453 players remain, and from them, just 1,461 will be guaranteed a $15,000 payout. While it's unclear whether the money will be reached on Day 3 — last year ended 12 off the money — what is clear is that the tension will continue to ramp up as the soft bubble approaches.
2025 WSOP Main Event Day 3 Top 10 Chip Counts
The WSOP continues to be a global affair with five countries and an unincorporated U.S. territory represented in the top 10 chip counts. Leading the way is Day 2abc leader Oleksii Kravchuk who looks likely to become the first player to reach the million chip mark, starting the day with 937,500. Behind him comes San Kim (799,000)
Other big stacks to end the night were Nazar Buhaiov (633,500), Daniyal Gheba (625,000), Ibrahim Senoussi (625,000), Pot-Limit Omaha specialist Miltiadis Kyriakides (547,500), the "world-famous" Pat Lyons (467,500) and former WSOP Player of the year Josh Arieh (448,500).
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oleksii Kravchuk | Ukraine | 937,500 | 375 |
| 2 | San Kim | United States | 799,000 | 320 |
| 3 | Randall Lack | United States | 762,500 | 305 |
| 4 | Fernando Rodriguez | Puerto Rico | 749,000 | 300 |
| 5 | Nicholas Bond | United States | 724,500 | 290 |
| 6 | David Cabrera Polop | Spain | 704,000 | 282 |
| 7 | Romain Locquet | France | 673,500 | 269 |
| 8 | Ryuta Nakai | Japan | 648,000 | 259 |
| 9 | Thomas Eychenne | France | 644,000 | 258 |
| 10 | Nazar Buhaiov | Ukraine | 633,500 | 253 |
Away from the chip leaders, there are six former Main Event champions looking for deep runs, and they are led by Greg Raymer (226,000). Joining him are Phil Hellmuth (187,000), last year's champion Jonathan Tamayo (158,500), Damian Salas (129,000), Greg Merson (123,000) and Johnny Chan (94,500). Two former WSOP Europe Main Event champions are also present in the Day 3 field, with 2023 champion Max Neugebauer (435,000) and Jack Sinclair (120,000).
Hellmuth is not only joined by his son Phil Hellmuth III (80,500) but four other Hall of Famers with David Oppenheim (149,500) joined by Brian Rast (112,500), Daniel Negreanu (71,000) and Jennifer Harman (56,000).
The PokerNews team are ready for action, bringing you all the updates from the floor at the Paris & Horseshoe casinos. PokerGO will also live-stream cards-up coverage and commentary for the entire 2025 WSOP Main Event until a winner has been crowned in eight days from now.
