In just a few hours, one of the most exciting WSOP Main Event final tables in poker history will get underway. Not taking anything from past Main Events, of course, but this final table has the potential to write a new chapter in poker history.
Setting aside the $10,000,000 first-place money, this is the first time in three decades that a woman made it into the final nine. With that, Leo Margets has already broken several records, but if she goes on to win, it will be an upset unlike anything we’ve seen in poker since, well, forever.
Then, there is Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, the four-time Poker Players Championship (PPC) winner and the man who is still waiting for his spot in the Poker Hall of Fame. Mizrachi’s legacy is already secured, but a victory on poker’s biggest stage would put him in a different league entirely — and pretty much secure his induction into the HoF at the next opportunity.
There are nine players coming back today, and they all have their stories. So, ahead of the start of the action, we are bringing you some glimpses into these stories to maybe help you pick who to root for, if you don’t have your favorite already!
John Wasnock – $108M in Chips
Returning to the Main Event as the chip leader, John Wasnock has his work cut out for him. Call it a poker irony, but more often than not, it’s not the chip leader to start the day who walks away the winner when all is said and done.
Of course, Wasnock will try his best to prove this theory wrong and put his chip advantage to good use to finish the job. Hailing from Washington, the 50-year-old has $140,000 in live tournament cashes showing on his Hendon Mob profile heading into what’s by far the biggest final table of his poker career.
Interestingly enough, this is only his second attempt at the Main Event, and he’s making the most out of it. Wasnock may not have the same experience as some of his opponents, but he has the chips and the desire to win, so he will be a tough nut to crack.
Michael Mizrachi — $93M in Chips
Michale Mizrachi is one player who truly needs no introduction. An absolute legend of the game, “The Grinder” has been crushing it for decades. And now, he is coming second in chips in the quest for the biggest title in all of poker.
Mizrachi won the prestigious Poker Players Championship four times. This tournament is widely regarded as the “Main Event for professional players.” Adding the actual Main Event to that record would be a dream come true.
“The Grinder” has the chips, the experience, and the desire to seal his poker legacy. All those things, combined with his extremely dangerous and unpredictable playing style that adapts to his opponents, will make it very hard for the other eight to get rid of Mizrachi.
Braxton Dunaway — $92M in Chips
Despite not being a full-time pro, Braxton Dunaway is no stranger to the pressure of deep runs at the World Series of Poker. Back in 2023, Dunaway was the last man standing in the WSOP Monster Stack event, picking up well over $1.1 million for that performance.
Stakes are higher this time around, though. With $1,000,000 already locked up, every pay jump will earn him the biggest cash of his career. And then, there is the small matter of $10,000,000 for whoever ends up with all the chips.
In addition to a decent stack, Braxton Dunaway has accumulated a fair bit of experience over the last two years, as the Monster Stack win inspired him to play more poker. He’s also fairly confident about his abilities to read live tells, which might come in handy over the next couple of days.
Kenny Hallaert — $80M in Chips
This is not Kenny Hallaert’s first attempt at the Main Event final table! A tournament director and a poker player, Kenny was in a similar spot back in 2016. His final table run ended in sixth place that time around, and he’ll certainly be looking to at least improve on that result.
Hallaert has a true passion for the game that he discovered almost by accident two decades ago and, like many others, fell in love with it on the spot.
His experience as a player is unquestionable, as he’s coming to the table with almost $6,000,000 in live winnings. However, he’s the only one with experience from the other side of the felt, and perhaps his years as a tournament director could help give him an advantage in certain spots.
Leo Margets — $53M in Chips
Leo Margets is the player that the whole poker world will be looking at once those cards are in the air. The first woman to make the Main Event final table since 1995, Margets has already cemented her place in poker history books, but can she go all the way?
Margets did not get here by accident. While a healthy amount of luck is required for any player to outlast almost 10,000 others, she has the skills to pay the bills. With over $2,000,000 in live tournament winnings showing on her Hendon Mob page and another deep Main Event run in 2009, Leo is exactly where she deserves to be.
There are just eight players standing between her and absolute glory. She’ll need cards to cooperate, of course, but, for whatever it is worth, Margets has a lot of positive energy coming her way from all four corners of the world. She is the one that many in the poker community want to see sitting behind the huge pile of cash and with the bracelet on her wrist!
Luka Bojovic — $51M in Chips
Originally from Serbia, Luka Bojovic got into poker very early. Like most of us, he started playing small games with friends. Tonight, he’ll be playing at the biggest final table in all of poker.
While Bojovic isn’t a full-time pro, he is no stranger to poker, either. With over $700,000 in live winnings, he’s had his share of deep tournament runs. However, like for most, this will be by far the biggest challenge he’s faced.
Luka has a lively rail behind him to offer the much-needed support, and this could certainly help him make it through the trials and tribulations that are sure to pop up once chips start flying.
Adam Hendrix — $48M in Chips
When it comes to experience and achievements, Adam Hendrix is one of the most accomplished players to take a seat at the 2025 WSOP Main Event final table, second only to The Grinders.
With his Hendon Mob page showing more than $8,000,000 in live winnings and several titles to his name, Hendrix certainly knows what it takes to win a big tournament. And, with 30 big blinds to start the day, he’ll have a fair bit of room to put that experience to good use.
Now 32 years old, Adam started playing poker seriously while in college, and his career picked up. Winning the Main Event at this stage, however, would be a huge accomplishment and would probably give him the freedom to really go after his poker dreams.
Daehyung Lee — $35M in Chips
Coming back to the second-smallest stack is Daehyung Lee from South Korea. Unlike most of his opponents, Lee is truly an enthusiastic amateur who only picked up the game in 2021. His live winnings show modest (in comparison) $148,000.
What he lacks in experience and chips, the South Korean might make up for in enthusiasm. If he were to win, Lee has plans to use the money to improve the poker scene in his home country.
An enthusiastic short-stacked amateur creating an upset and coming out on top? No way something like that happens at a poker table, right?
Jarod Minghini — $23M in Chips
Bringing up the rear as the official short stack is Jarod Minghini, a 37-year-old businessman originally from West Virginia and now living in Nevada. With over $900,000 in live tournament winnings, Jarod is no stranger to success on the green felt, but, like most, he’s never experienced anything similar to the Main Event final table.
His daily routines throughout the WSOP, such as not eating anything until the dinner break, got him this far, but now he has a mountain to climb. Starting with just 15 big blinds, he’ll need some good luck to get back in it, but sometimes even a chip and a chair are enough.
Get Ready for a Night of Exciting Poker Action
The Main Event final table action will kick off in a few hours’ time, and live streaming will be available from 3pm PT/6pm ET. If you want to watch all the action as it unfolds, check out this article for the available options.
There is no telling what might happen in a poker tournament once the cards are in the air, but one thing is certain. This will be one of the most exciting, most entertaining final tables we’ve seen in years, and you’ll want to be there for it!
