The PokerStars North American Poker Tour Main Event in Las Vegas wrapped with a dramatic finale and a worthy champion. Gal Yifrach topped a world class field to win $543,025 as Jennifer Shahade delivered a career best run in third for $291,800.
The $5,300 Main Event drew 738 entries from 29 countries. The prize pool hit $3,579,300 and 111 spots were paid. The festival showcased marquee names, standout ambassador performances, and packed side events across ten days.
Gal Yifrach outlasted a stacked final table to secure the trophy and the $543,025 top prize. The last six guaranteed at least $132,850 as the pressure spiked under the lights.
Belgian pro Thomas Boivin started as a commanding chip leader after a roller coaster penultimate day. He ultimately finished runner up for $518,575 after a hard fought duel.
PokerStars Ambassador Jennifer Shahade began the finale second in chips and played composed short stack poker throughout. She laddered with precision and booked $291,800 for third place, the biggest score of her live career, according to The Hendon Mob database.
Final table results at a glance
| Place | Player | Country | Payout |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gal Yifrach | USA | $543,025 |
| 2 | Thomas Boivin | Belgium | $518,575 |
| 3 | Jennifer Shahade | USA | $291,800 |
| 4 | Ekrem Bozruf | USA | $224,450 |
| 5 | Michael Berk | USA | $172,650 |
| 6 | Peter Mugar | USA | $132,850 |
Shahade’s charge followed headlines made when she reached the final table with a real shot at history. The run built on a strong year and a recent live title, as she entered the finale second in chips and mounted a deep push.
Streamed Action, Star Names, and a Festival That Delivered
The final table streamed on PokerStars TV with cards up coverage and commentary from James Hartigan and Joe Stapleton. The broadcast captured key momentum shifts and the closing stages in full.
The Main Event drew a world class field including past world champion Ryan Riess, EPT winners, and high roller regulars. The turnout reinforced the NAPT’s pull and PokerStars’ ability to assemble premier fields.
Side events added star power and variety. The $50,000 Super High Roller attracted 23 entries and paid three places from a $1,115,730 prize pool. Stephen Chidwick took the title and $557,930, with Boivin second for $334,700 and Cary Katz third for $223,100.
Maria Konnikova, a PokerStars Ambassador, captured the High Roller Second Chance for $66,350 and her third spade trophy. The festival also introduced two dedicated Women’s Events for the first time on the NAPT schedule.
Raena Janes won the $330 Women’s Event that drew 175 players for $11,670. Elaine Rawn won the $1,100 Women’s High Roller for $21,910 and also posted a tenth in the $330 field to underline consistency across buy ins.
The $1,100 PokerStars Open Las Vegas 2025 drew 947 entries. Nikolai Mamut defeated Terrance Reid heads up to bank $158,700 as Reid earned $99,090.
NAPT Momentum Grows with Record Prize Pools and Ambassador Highlights
PokerStars highlighted the stop as a showcase for North American live poker. The Las Vegas visit delivered record prize pools and a full slate of high quality events across formats and price points.
Ambassadors played leading roles throughout the week. Shahade’s third place finish offered a fresh milestone in a breakthrough year and continued a trend that saw her reach the final day in commanding position. Konnikova’s title added another trophy to a growing live resume.
The NAPT schedule and coverage have re established a strong bridge between online and live ecosystems. PokerStars LIVE production gave fans a front row seat, while the deep fields confirmed healthy demand for marquee festivals.
Player friendly structures and a broad slate of side events encouraged deep runs and repeat entries. The Main Event’s 738 field and $3.58 million prize pool showed robust engagement across the series.
The Las Vegas stop also underscored the wider PokerStars footprint. The brand continues to lead with global liquidity online and a curated PokerStars Live calendar anchored by NAPT and EPT banners. The blend of elite competition and inclusive scheduling brought new faces and familiar names to the felt.
PokerStars’ ambassadors remain central to that story. Shahade’s performance in Las Vegas will set expectations high for her next appearance, and Konnikova’s win adds fuel to a strong close to the year for the roster.
