Level: 12
Blinds: 1,000/2,500
Ante: 2,500
2025 World Series of Poker
Event #95: $800 No-Limit Hold’em Deepstack
Day: 1
Event Info
2025 World Series of Poker
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 1
Buy-in
$800
Prize Pool
$1,995,700
Total Entries
2,851
Level
40
Blinds
800,000 / 1,600,000
Ante
1,600,000
Entries
2,851
Players Left
162
Players Left 1 / 2,851
Filter
Level 11
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
Philip Johnston registered late for the event, looking forward to running deep. With his seat not even warmed, Johnston, in middle position, open-shoved all-in for the starting stack of 40,000. Peter Placey in the cutoff announced all-in for around 80,000, sending button Ankush Mandavia to the tank.
After a few seconds, he folded face up showing A♣Q♣. After the blinds folded, Johnston and Placey went to showdown.
Philip Johnston: A♠K♦ 
Peter Placey: A♥J♥
Johnston was ahead and was hoping for an early double up when the flop dropped 4♥10♥4♦. Placey's outs increased with a flush draw but he was pushed into the lead when the J♠ turn was dealt. The river Q♥ completed Placey's flush sealing Johnston's fate to leave the tournament just as he got in.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
118,500
118,500
|
118,500 |
|
42,500
42,500
|
42,500 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
Level 11
: Blinds 1,000/2,000, 2,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
225,000
225,000
|
225,000 |
|
|
||
|
131,000
131,000
|
131,000 |
|
|
||
|
115,000
115,000
|
115,000 |
|
|
||
|
107,400
67,400
|
67,400 |
|
82,000
82,000
|
82,000 |
|
||
|
79,000
79,000
|
79,000 |
|
72,000
72,000
|
72,000 |
|
67,000
67,000
|
67,000 |
|
59,600
19,600
|
19,600 |
|
42,000
42,000
|
42,000 |
|
||
|
40,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
|
39,000
1,000
|
1,000 |
|
|
||
|
38,000
38,000
|
38,000 |
|
|
||
|
34,000
34,000
|
34,000 |
|
33,000
33,000
|
33,000 |
|
27,400
27,400
|
27,400 |
|
25,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
Level: 11
Blinds: 1,000/2,000
Ante: 2,000
Level 10
: Blinds 800/1,600, 1,600 ante
Ming Li opened to 3,500 under the gun, telling the other players that the bet had value. She still got two callers in Kyle Martin in middle position and small blind Nissim Ohayon. Big blind Chuning Tan three-bet to 14,200.
Li bemoaned that it was so hard to play here, but she called. Martin called after but Ohayon four-bet shoved for around 41,000 surprising Li. Tan five-bet all-in for 96,100, frustrating Li. She grumbled as she folded her hand. Martin asked for a count before letting go of his hand.
The remaining players went to showdown.
Nissim Ohayon: A♦2♦
Chuning Tan: Q♠Q♣
The board ran 7♥4♥3♥7♣A♠. Li was complaining throughout the deal, saying she had ace-jack with one of them being a heart and that she would have won the hand.
Ohayon scooped the pot for a double as Li continued to gripe, "Seat 2! Ace-two? How can you all-in that?" Ohayon just shrugged in reply.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
314,000
314,000
|
314,000 |
|
105,000
105,000
|
105,000 |
|
|
98,000
98,000
|
98,000 |
|
54,000
54,000
|
54,000 |
Level: 10
Blinds: 800/1,600
Ante: 1,600
Level 9
: Blinds 600/1,200, 1,200 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
335,900
215,900
|
215,900 |
|
319,200 | |
|
270,200 | |
|
215,300 | |
|
|
205,000 | |
|
|
200,800 | |
|
|
182,700 | |
|
182,000 | |
|
178,000 | |
|
171,000 |
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.
Level: 9
Blinds: 600/1,200
Ante: 1,200
Level 8
: Blinds 500/1,000, 1,000 ante
Players are on their second break for the day for 20 minutes, and 1,461 players will return to Level 9 of 600/1200/1200.
