Event #95: $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Day 1 | 2025 World Series of Poker

07-13-2025 02:29 UTC-8

$800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack Begins Today

Jon Pill

Welcome back to PokerNews, the official media partner of the 2025 World Series of Poker, bringing you live updates from every bracelet event.

Today marks the start of Day 1 of Event #95: $800 No-Limit Hold'em Deepstack, a tournament that regularly attracts 3,500 or more players to Horseshoe and Paris, Las Vegas.

This event kicks off at 10 a.m. local time with entrants starting their quest for glory armed with 40,000 chips. Should they bust during the first 12 levels, players can reenter once and take another bite at the cherry. Late registration and reentry is possible until the start of Level 13, at about 5 p.m.

Levels only last 30 minutes and the plan is to complete 22 of them on Day 1. Players will head on a 20-minute break every four levels, then enjoy a 75-minute dinner break after Level 16 (around 7 p.m. local time).

The surviving players return to the fray at 11 a.m. local time on Monday, July 14, to conclude the tournament. Again, there are 15-minute breaks every four levels, with a dinner break to be decided.

When this event ran at the 2024 WSOP, it saw 4,278 players create a $3,011,712 prize pool and a top prize of $342,511. That princely sum found its way to Israel's Timur Margolin, who captured the third bracelet of his career. Family man Margolin was quick to thank his supportive wife for enabling him to travel the world and play poker.

"I wanna thank my wife and kids for being so supportive of my decision to travel and play poker," Margolin told PokerNews. "To live a family life and grind tournaments is not an easy lifestyle to manage. If it wasn't for my wife's support, I wouldn't be playing the Series in the first place."

2024 Final Table Results

Place	Player	Country	Prize
1	Timur Margolin	Israel	$342,551
2	Agharazi Babayev	Azerbaijan	$228,321
3	Michael Allen	United Kingdom	$168,276
4	Adam Hendrix	United States	$125,074
5	Joey Couden	United States	$93,758
6	Francisco Riosvallejo	Mexico	$70,890
7	Cole Uvila	United States	$54,066
8	Vaughan Machado	United States	$41,597
9	Jeremy Chen	Taiwan	$32,288

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Tags: Adam Hendrix Agharazi Babayev Cole Uvila Francisco Riosvallejo Jeremy Chen Joey Couden Michael Allen Timur Margolin Vaughan Machado

07-13-2025 10:33 UTC-8

Terry Hatcher: Advocate, Competitor, and Community Builder in Poker

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 4 : Blinds 200/400, 400 ante

Originally from Montreal, Canada, Terry Hatcher now calls Las Vegas home. A long-time advocate for women in poker, Hatcher has been actively promoting female participation in the game for many years. Her love for poker began early, playing cards with her family as a child, which sparked a passion that never left.

What Hatcher enjoys most about poker is the spirit of competition. A natural competitor, she was named Female Athlete of the Year in high school. In 2014, she began playing poker more seriously after winning a tournament on a Carnival Cruise. Inspired by that experience, she took several seminars and soon found herself making a deep run in the World Series of Poker Seniors Event. From that moment, she was hooked.

As she immersed herself further in the game, Hatcher noticed the lack of female representation at the tables. Determined to make a difference, she became actively involved in organizations like the Women’s Poker Association (WPA) and the Ladies International Poker Series. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the WPA’s Award of Excellence in 2020. She also runs a weekly online charity game for women on PokerStars, further championing inclusivity and support within the community.

Hatcher’s experience in the poker world is wide-ranging; she’s not only played but has also worked as a dealer and served as a Tournament Director at The Lodge Poker Club in Texas. Among all her travels, she cites Barcelona as her favorite poker destination.
In 2019, Hatcher captured her first WSOP Circuit ring after winning the Ladies Event in Oklahoma.

Now a Las Vegas regular, she plays with a group called “The Binkers.” Today, she’s competing on behalf of the league, following in the footsteps of fellow member Stacey Ceragioli, who represented the group in the WSOP Main Event and finished in 570th place for a $30,000 cash prize. Hatcher is grinding with determination, aiming to bring home even more prize money for the team.

Tags: Stacey Ceragioli Terry Hatcher

07-13-2025 11:53 UTC-8

TJ Murphy Returns to the Felt with His Eyes on Another Bracelet

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 5 : Blinds 300/500, 500 ante

TJ Murphy, last year’s champion of the $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack event, which occurred in June, earned him a career-best $368,997. He is back and aiming to add another bracelet to his collection. Most recently, he finished second in a WSOP Circuit ring event at the Festival Grand Falls Casino in Larchwood, Iowa, pocketing $76,736 this past March. Now, he's ready to chase more success.

A driven advertising executive by profession, Murphy brings the same intensity to the poker table. “Life’s going to kick you in the ass sometimes, you have to stay mentally strong,” he said. That resilience was tested when, shortly after his 2024 victory, his hometown of Spencer, Iowa, was hit by a devastating flood. “You just never know what life is going to throw at you,” he reflected.

To stay sharp, Murphy invests time in studying the game, taking poker lessons, and working with a trainer during breaks. “So I can come back to the table and fold, fold, fold,” he jokes. He also uses the mindset app Primed Mind to help focus and calm his mind before sessions, part of his strategy to maintain peak mental form.

Murphy first got into poker roughly 20 years ago and was swept up in the excitement of the Moneymaker boom. Still, it wasn’t until 2016 that he began approaching the game more seriously. Despite his competitive drive, he remains grounded, balancing poker with his full-time career and entering tournaments when his schedule allows.

He just arrived back in Las Vegas yesterday and is eager to fire in a few more events, ready, focused, and determined to go deep once again.

Tags: TJ Murphy

07-13-2025 12:23 UTC-8

Mike Allis Still Going Strong

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 6 : Blinds 300/600, 600 ante

A pioneer in the game, Mike Allis continues to hold his own at the poker table. With several deep cashes already under his belt this summer, he’s off to a promising start in the current event, recently scooping a healthy pot with an ace-high flush.

Allis captured his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2022, outlasting a massive field of 5,702 and defeating former Main Event champion Ryan Riess heads-up in a thrilling finish. This marked his second WSOP final table appearance; he previously finished sixth in the 2012 $1,500 Pot-Limit Hold'em event. Back in 2008, he also placed 11th in the $1,000 WSOP Seniors World Championship.

When asked what poker has taught him, Allis responded with a grin, “Even someone who does not play that well can still win.”
Allis credits the late, fantastic Doyle Brunson as his biggest poker inspiration. As for how he manages to endure the long hours and high-level competition, he quipped, “I am old, so it is hard.” Still, his continued success proves that poker truly is a game for all ages.

A former chess player, Allis attributes much of his poker success to skills he developed over the chessboard. The analytical thinking, pattern recognition, and emotional discipline required in chess have served him well in poker’s high-pressure environment. These mental tools are evident as he calmly navigates deep tournament runs, relying on sharp decision-making and steady focus.

Whether it’s a final table or a fresh tournament, Mike Allis remains a force, combining wisdom, wit, and strategy to stay competitive in the game he loves.

Tags: Doyle Brunson Mike Allis Ryan Riess

07-13-2025 13:51 UTC-8

Kenna ‘Cowboy’ James: A Magnanimous Poker Personality

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 9 : Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante

With over $4 million in tournament earnings, Kenna James is a true force at the poker table. Most recently, he secured a second-place finish in March 2025 at the $800 No-Limit Hold’em PokerAtlas Title Event in Las Vegas, earning $42,490.

When asked how he maintains his energy during grueling multi-day tournaments, James shared, “Rest is the most important aspect during this marathon that we play,” adding, “Do not fall for the foolish trappings of Las Vegas.”

To newcomers, his advice is clear: adaptability is key. “Some new players have a misconception that it’s about the cards or their opponents, but it’s really about themselves,” he said. His guiding mantra? “Believe in yourself.”

When asked who inspired him most in poker, James didn’t hesitate: “The great one, Erik Seidel.”

James began his poker journey as a dealer, but it didn’t take long before he realized he had a natural talent for the game. Once he notched a few wins, he hit the tournament circuit, traveling the world and accumulating over a million dollars in major tournament cashes. In addition to playing, he has directed events and contributed commentary, combining his passion for performance with his poker expertise.

He gained the nickname “Cowboy” during a major tournament when a woman in the audience repeatedly shouted, “Go Cowboy!” and “Ride ’em, Cowboy!”, cheering him on as he played in his signature Stetson hat. Host Chad Brown caught on, and the name stuck.

Beyond the felt, James is known for his charitable efforts. He’s worked extensively with organizations such as Make-A-Wish Foundation, Ante Up for Autism, Hold ’em for Heroes (for fallen officers), Arizona Baseball Charities, the Screaming Eagle Poker League, and The Wounded Warrior Project. In 2006, he organized and hosted a charity tournament that raised $170,000 for Wounded Warriors.

James is admired not only for his skills at the table but also for his generous spirit and uplifting presence in the poker community. His combination of heart, hustle, and humility makes him one of the most well-liked players in the game today.

Tags: Chad Brown Erik Seidel Kenna James

07-13-2025 15:43 UTC-8

Quads for Wheeler

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Gabrielle Barredo

Level 12 : Blinds 1,000/2,500, 2,500 ante

Action was picked up with Jesse Rivera and Jason Wheeler in an all-in showdown.

Jason Wheeler: K♥K♣ All in
Jesse Rivera: A♣A♠

It was a classic aces versus kings with Rivera ahead. The flop came 7♠K♦3♦ giving Wheeler a set cracking Rivera's aces. The turn rubbed it in when it dropped K♠ improving Wheeler to quads and evoking a groan of shock from the table, especially Rivera. The inconsequential river 3♥ completed the board.

Player	Chips	Progress
Jason Wheeler	199,000 159,000	159,000

Jesse Rivera	15,300 15,300	15,300

Tags: Jason Wheeler Jesse Rivera

07-13-2025 17:09 UTC-8

PokerFace Ash: From College Game Nights to Coast-to-Coast Content and Tournament Success

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 14 : Blinds 2,000/4,000, 4,000 ante

Fresh off a $17,500 cash in the 2025 World Series of Poker Main Event, Ashley Frank, better known to her growing fanbase as PokerFace Ash, shows no signs of slowing down. Now that she’s tasted success in poker’s biggest event, she’s setting her sights even higher, with next year’s Main Event already in her crosshairs.

With over 35,000 YouTube subscribers and a poker résumé that continues to grow, Frank is not just a formidable player at the tables but also one of the most engaging and relatable voices in the poker content world.

Her latest adventure? A coast-to-coast content collaboration with fellow poker vlogger Jaman Burton. Together, the duo is taking fans behind the scenes of the poker grind, capturing the travel, tournament runs, and everyday moments that define the life of a modern poker player.

Frank’s journey into poker began during her college years, where she discovered the game at social nights with her college basketball team. What started as casual play quickly ignited a passion. As her skills sharpened, so did her ambition.

Since recording her first tournament cash in 2016, Frank has amassed over $250,000 in live earnings. Her breakout year came in 2023, when she notched two major wins within just a month. In March, she claimed victory in the WSOP Circuit Ladies Event, earning $4,757 and her first WSOPC ring. In April, she followed that up with a win in the 6-Max Ring Event at the RunGood Poker Series, collecting $9,779 and her first RGPS ring.

Frank has also steadily built her World Series of Poker résumé, with 11 WSOP cashes totaling $77,445. Her most memorable performance came in the 2023 $1,500 Monster Stack event, where she finished 16th out of a massive field and earned a career-best $56,980.

Beyond her achievements on the felt, Frank is celebrated for her upbeat attitude, commitment to fitness, and authentic content. Her vlogs go beyond poker hands; they give viewers an intimate look into the highs, lows, and daily grind of life as a traveling poker pro. Her favorite poker destination so far? Panama.

As a player, Frank has also evolved in her approach to the game. Initially relying on instinct, she later dove deep into Game Theory Optimal (GTO) strategy. Now, she has found a powerful balance between intuition and studied fundamentals, an approach that continues to serve her well.

Whether she’s making a deep run in a bracelet event or sharing laughs and lessons on the road with Burton, Frank is inspiring a new wave of poker fans, especially women, proving that with discipline, passion, and a bit of camera savvy, anything is possible.

Tags: Ashley Frank Jaman Burton

07-13-2025 18:59 UTC-8

Payouts Confirmed

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Josh Noy

Level 16 : Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante

The event saw a total of 2,851 entries, creating a prize pool totalling $1,995,700.

The top 428 spots will claim at least $1,649, while the champion will take home $252,386.

Place	Prize	Place	Prize	Place	Prize
1	$252,386	10–11	$17,761	64–71	$3,604
2	$168,122	12–15	$14,025	72–79	$3,100
3	$122,705	16–23	$11,189	80–99	$2,697
4	$90,413	24–31	$9,021	100–144	$2,372
5	$67,262	32–39	$7,349	145–189	$2,111
6	$50,526	40–47	$6,051	190–234	$1,901
7	$38,328	48–55	$5,036	235–288	$1,731
8	$29,364	56–63	$4,237	289–428	$1,649
9	$22,722

07-13-2025 19:31 UTC-8

Dave Trask Is Grateful to Be Playing Today

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Roxanne Johnson

Level 17 : Blinds 4,000/8,000, 8,000 ante

Every year, David Trask and his wife make the pilgrimage to Las Vegas to play in a few World Series of Poker events. In 2024, they arrived near the end of the series, planning to play The Closer and the turbo event. But something wasn’t right; Trask wasn’t feeling well. Still, with some gentle encouragement from his wife, he decided to give the turbo event a try. He played for a few hours before bowing out early, heading back to his room to rest.

Later that night, he woke up with chest pains, and he knew something was seriously wrong. His wife immediately called hotel security, who responded quickly and contacted 911. As they escorted him out, one of the security guards asked, “Was it worth it?”, referring to his brief stint in the tournament.

Trask, ever the optimist, smiled and replied, “See you next year.”

What followed was a harrowing journey. Trask was rushed to Sunrise Hospital, where doctors discovered he was having a heart attack. An attempt to insert stents failed, leading to emergency double bypass surgery. During the operation, complications arose, and Trask died three times on the table before being placed in an induced coma for 53 days. His wife, traveling back and forth from their home in Chardon, Ohio, stayed by his side throughout the ordeal.
But Trask fought. He survived.

And now true to his word, he’s back at the World Series of Poker, playing in a few of the final events. This time, he’s joined by his son, Chad, making the experience even more meaningful.

Trask remains deeply grateful to the Paris Las Vegas security team and the staff at Sunrise Hospital, crediting them with saving his life and treating him with exceptional care. In a heartfelt gesture of appreciation, he wrote extensive Google reviews, which have since been viewed over 3,000 times, his small way of saying thank you to those who helped give him a second chance.

Tags: David Trask

07-13-2025 21:08 UTC-8

Awerbuch and Majed Split Last Payout as Bubble Burst

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Gabrielle Barredo

Level 19 : 6,000/12,000, 12,000 ante

During hand for hand at bubble time, Joshua Reichard opened to 25,000 under the gun. Action folded to the big blind Chad Awerbuch who shoved all-in for 163,000. Reichard called taking them to the flop.

Chad Awerbuch: 5♥5♣ All in
Joshua Reichard: K♣J♣

The flop came K♦J♥Q♥ immediately giving Reichard a two pair. Awerbuch was quietly calling for a five to drop but the runout 7♦3♠ didn't help him at all, making him one of two players that burst the bubble.

Right after the hand finished, the floor moved to the next table to have the hands turned over after the following action.

Rene Majed open-shoved all-in for 106,000 on the button and got called by big blind Carlos Lam taking them to showdown.

Rene Majed: A♠J♦ All in
Carlos Lam: A♣8♠

Majed had Lam dominated and was quite confident for a double-up. The flop came 6♠K♠5♥ giving Majed no sweat at all. The turn 2♣ didn't change the situation. But the river dashed his hopes as Lam spiked a pair when 8♦ fell.

Awerbuch and Majed will be splitting the last payout of $1,649 between them.