WSOP 2025 Days 4-6: Bracelet Glory and Million-Dollar Dreams

The first week of the 2025 World Series of Poker has delivered everything we could have hoped for and more. Days 4-6 brought us bracelet ceremonies, million-dollar moments, and the kind of drama that only the WSOP can provide. From Russian dominance in high-stakes heads-up battles to British mixed-game mastery, here’s everything you need to know about the action that unfolded at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

Bracelet Winners: Elite Company and Long-Awaited Glory

Artur Martirosian Claims $25K Heads-Up Championship

The most prestigious event to conclude during this stretch was Event #7, the $25,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold’em Championship, where Russian powerhouse Artur Martirosian proved why he’s considered one of the world’s elite tournament players.

Martirosian’s path to his third WSOP bracelet was nothing short of brutal. To claim the $500,000 top prize, he had to defeat a row of opponents in consecutive heads-up battles: Jeremy Ausmus, Faraz Jaka, Kevin Rabichow, Chance Kornuth, Patrick Leonard, and finally Aliaksei Boika in the championship match. Each victory was a testament to Martirosian’s mental fortitude and tactical brilliance, as there are simply no easy matchups at this level of competition.

The semifinal stage showcased the international depth of modern poker, with Martirosian defeating UK’s Patrick Leonard while Boika eliminated David Chen in the other semifinal. Both Leonard and Chen earned $180,000 for their efforts, but it was the Russian who ultimately prevailed in the final to add another prestigious bracelet to his collection.

Benny Glaser Joins the Six-Bracelet Club

Event #8, the $1,500 Dealers Choice, concluded with British mixed-game specialist Benny Glaser capturing his sixth WSOP bracelet and $150,246 in prize money. This victory places Glaser in elite company alongside names like Brian Rast, Shaun Deeb, Jeremy Ausmus, Josh Arieh, and Scott Seiver as six-time bracelet winners.

Glaser’s path to victory showcased exactly why he’s so feared in mixed games. The final table featured tough competitors including Steve O’Dwyer and Scott Bohlman, but Glaser’s experience and versatility across multiple poker variants proved decisive. His heads-up battle with Matthew Schreiber was particularly dramatic, as Schreiber refused to go quietly, surviving multiple all-ins before Glaser finally closed it out in a No-Limit Hold’em round.

“I’m proud,” Glaser said after his victory. “I think this is quite a high-skilled event, because there’s so many extra decisions. It feels nice.” The win might also boost his chances for Poker Hall of Fame consideration, as Glaser noted that “more bracelets will be helpful for that.”

Dan Heimiller’s Third Bracelet

Perhaps the most emotional victory came in Event #6, the $1,500 Seven Card Stud event, where Dan Heimiller captured his third WSOP bracelet. The veteran pro defeated David Bach heads-up for the title and $106,840, with Bach earning $70,568 as runner-up.

When asked about his longevity in the game, Heimiller offered a characteristically self-deprecating response, attributing his persistence to pure stubbornness and his refusal to quit poker when perhaps he should have. He was equally modest about his victory, crediting favorable cards throughout the day as he consistently found strong hands when he needed them most. But players don’t survive over two decades in professional poker on fortune alone—Heimiller’s third bracelet is a testament to skill, experience, and the kind of stubborn determination that defines poker’s most enduring professionals.

The Million-Dollar Lightning Strike

Day 2 delivered not one but two incredible stories that didn’t require reaching a final table. In the $1,000 Mystery Millions event, Tyler Montoya wasted little time pulling the first $1 million mystery bounty just an hour into play. His reaction was equally memorable as he celebrated his instant fortune. Montoya busted about an hour later but walked away with more than the tournament’s $1 million first-place prize.

Then, Thomas Zanot became the second player to experience every poker player’s dream scenario. After eliminating an opponent, Zanot drew from the mystery bounty pile and pulled the second $1 million card. Just like that, he transformed from grinding with 19,654 other players to becoming an instant millionaire. The moment was pure magic, with Zanot celebrating his life-changing draw.

Incredibly, this wasn’t even Zanot’s biggest payday. Back in January 2023, while playing Pai Gow Poker at the Flamingo, he hit a seven-card straight flush and won a progressive jackpot worth $6,443,401. As any poker player would tell you, sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good—and Zanot seems to have both qualities in spades. The Mystery Millions event continues to captivate, with players still in the hunt for the guaranteed $1 million top prize, though Zanot has already secured his seven-figure score.

Negreanu’s Quest for Number Eight

The biggest ongoing storyline so far at the WSOP involves Canadian legend Daniel Negreanu’s pursuit of his eighth WSOP bracelet in Event #9, the $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship. After saying he’d focus on having fun rather than results this summer, Negreanu appears to be doing both as he holds a commanding chip lead with 1,550,000—nearly 500,000 more than his nearest competitor.

If Negreanu captures this title, it would be particularly significant as his first bracelet in an Omaha format. An eighth bracelet would also move him past Billy Baxter, John Hennigan, and Men “The Master” Nguyen, putting him just one behind the legendary Johnny Moss.

The final 20 players include a stellar cast of characters, with Maxx Coleman (1,020,000), Viktor Blom (840,000), Joao Vieira (840,000), and Ben Lamb (740,000) all in position to challenge. But with such a substantial chip lead, Negreanu is clearly the man to beat as play resumes.

Rising Stars and Grinding Legends

Several other events are building toward exciting conclusions. In the $600 Deepstack event, an incredible 6,090 players created a massive prize pool, with Spain’s Taha Benhmama (3,165,000) leading the charge. Former bracelet winner Blair Hinkle sits in fourth place with 2,135,000 chips, positioned for a potential second bracelet run.

The $10,000 Mystery Bounty event features another star-studded field, with Richard Green (955,000) and Andrew “LuckyChewy” Lichtenberger (757,000) leading 130 survivors. The money bubble will burst early in Day 2, bringing the exciting mystery bounty element into play.

What’s Next: High-Stakes Action Ahead

Looking forward, the schedule is packed with can’t-miss events. The inaugural $25,000 High Roller PLO/NLH Mixed event promises to attract the game’s biggest names for a new format that combines the two most popular poker variants. Meanwhile, the $1,500 Mixed Omaha event will test players across three Omaha Hi-Lo variants.

These opening days have set an incredible tone for what promises to be an unforgettable summer. With legends chasing history, newcomers making their mark, and million-dollar moments happening in real-time, the 2025 WSOP is already delivering the drama that makes it poker’s most prestigious series. The question isn’t whether we’ll see more incredible stories—it’s how many more magical moments this summer will provide.