With limited media access to the new feature tables, PokerNews will provide updates where possible, alongside the results of the match-ups and the updated bracket as players are eliminated. Some matches will be streamed by the World Series of Poker, and our updates will follow the same delay as the live stream.
Event #7: $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship
Day 1a Completed
Once a year, a star-studded field descends upon the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas to compete in one of the most highly anticipated events of the World Series of Poker (WSOP). Today was no different, as Event #7: $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship took center stage. A field of 64 players battled through three rounds of mano-a-mano action, with just eight contenders remaining by day's end.
Such is the popularity of the event that the World Series added a second starting flight to the schedule this year, giving players a second chance to advance, should they need it.
One player who will not need a second entry is Daniel Negreanu. The recently announced father-to-be celebrated in style. First, he swept aside a former champion of this event in Darius Samual, before dispatching Brock Wilson in the second round and completing a hat-trick of victories with a win versus Harvey Castro.
On the other side of the draw, two giants of the game collided. Reigning WSOP Main Event Champion Michael Mizrachi had already overcome Shannon Shorr and Jun Obara in the first two rounds of the day, only to set up a seismic clash with all-time WSOP bracelet leader Phil Hellmuth. Ultimately, the match was decided by a cooler. Both players made two pair on the turn, but Mizrachi had the better of it, sending Hellmuth to the rail.
While Martin Kabrhel was the fastest out of the blocks, he was unable to maintain his momentum as the day progressed. After breezing through his first round match versus Brandon Wilson, when Wilson’s ill-timed attempt at a bluff catch sent Kabrhel to the next round, Round 2 proved a bridge too far for Kabrhel. He fell at the hands of Masato Yokosawa, whose own journey was ended by Justin Saliba. That victory for Saliba ensured his safe passage to the next round.
Alex Foxen was the final player to book his spot on Day 2. After defeating Vinny Lingham in his first match, he then beat his namesake, Alex Keating, before finishing the day with a victory over Joey Weissman.
Completing the lineup of those heading to Day 2, Dimitar Danchev, Barak Wisbrod, Cary Katz, and Henri Puustinen all successfully navigated their three match-ups to advance.
Tomorrow, Saturday, May 30, a fresh 64-player bracket will be created, with the first round of Day 1b set to begin after the draw is completed at noon local time. Following the same structure as today’s flight, Round 1 will be followed by two more rounds at 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. local time, with just eight players surviving.
Be sure to tune in to PokerNews to follow all the major moments and find out who will advance to the penultimate day of the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship.
With all three rounds complete, and a field of 64 reduced to just 8 players, Day 1a has drawn to a close.
Those who advanced will return for Day 2 on Sunday, May 31, at noon local time, to play two more rounds of matches.
Stay tuned for a full recap of today's action.
Joey Weissman moved all in for 452,000 on the button, and Alex Foxen called in the big blind.
Joey Weissman: 4♠4♣ 
Alex Foxen: A♥3♣
The window card brought bad news for Weissman on the A♦J♦J♠ flop, seeing Foxen leapfrog him into the lead.
The K♣ turn was no help, and when the A♣ river couldn't save him, Weissman was eliminated as Foxen progressed.
Darren Elias defended his small blind, and Barak Wisbrod then moved all in. Elias made a quick call and the cards went on their backs.
Darren Elias: K♣J♠
Barak Wisbrod: A♣3♥
Elias was hoping for help from the board, but the runout 2♦3♣9♣8♠Q♦ did not improve his hand. Wisbrod’s pair of threes was enough to win the pot, sending Elias out and moving Wisbrod on to the next round.
Joey Weissman moved all in, putting Alex Foxen at risk. Foxen made the call to send the hand to showdown.
Alex Foxen: A♣6♦
Joey Weissman: 10♠9♣
Weissman needed help to eliminate Foxen, but the board ran out 2♥2♦5♠A♦J♥, giving Foxen two pair, aces and deuces. Foxen secured the double-up and took a slight chip lead in the heads-up battle.
Ryuta Nakai was first to act when he moved all in. Cary Katz took his time before making the call, covering Nakai and sending the hand to showdown.
Ryuta Nakai: A♥8♠
Cary Katz: A♠5♠
Nakai was slightly ahead, but the board ran out 3♦A♦7♥6♣4♣, giving Katz a straight. Katz secured the win and advanced to the next round, while Nakai was eliminated from the tournament.
View the updated bracket here.
Joey Weissman was first to act and moved all in, putting Alex Foxen to the test. Foxen made the call, and the hand went to showdown.
Alex Foxen: Q♣4♦
Joey Weissman: 5♣4♣
The board ran out J♥Q♦5♥7♠K♠, giving Foxen a pair of queens to secure the double up.
Level: 34
Blinds: 10,000/25,000
Ante: 0
Barak Wisbrod opened to 40,000 holding K♣10♣, and Darren Elias called with K♠8♣.
The flop came K♦Q♠5♠, where Elias check-raised Wisbrod’s 25,000 bet to 75,000. Wisbrod made the call.
The 9♦ landed on the turn and Elias checked. Wisbrod fired 115,000, and Elias called.
The Q♥ completed the board on the river. Elias checked once again, and Wisbrod moved all in, putting Elias at risk.
Elias took his time before eventually folding, conceding the pot to Wisbrod.
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