Main Event Reaches Day 3 as Punsri Shines in PLO Mystery Bounty
Day 43 WSOP
Day 43 of the 2025 World Series of Poker brought intense action across multiple events at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, with the $10,000 Main Event taking center stage as it reached its crucial third day. The historic tournament, now confirmed as the third-largest Main Event in WSOP history with 9,735 entries, continued to deliver drama and excitement as the field narrowed significantly.
Main Event Day 3: Kobayashi Takes Command
The headline story of Day 43 was the Main Event’s progression through Day 3, where 3,453 players began their quest for the $10 million top prize. By day’s end, only 1,476 hopefuls remained, setting up what promises to be an electrifying Day 4 with the money bubble looming just 15 eliminations away.
Japan’s Shotaro Kobayashi secured the chip lead when Day 3 concluded, positioning himself well for the crucial money bubble stages ahead. The 23-year-old bagged 1,971,000 chips to lead the field heading into Day 4. The 2024 WSOP Europe Main Event champion Max Neugebauer sits in second place with 1,928,000, while France’s Sam Jakubowicz claimed third with 1,800,000.
Main Event Day 3 End-of-Day Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shotaro Kobayashi | Japan | 1,971,000 |
| 2 | Max Neugebauer | Austria | 1,928,000 |
| 3 | Sam Jakubowicz | France | 1,800,000 |
| 4 | Juliet Hegedus | United States | 1,745,000 |
| 5 | Tomas Szwarcberg | Mexico | 1,709,000 |
| 6 | David Alvarez | Spain | 1,629,000 |
| 7 | Thomas Eychenne | France | 1,618,000 |
| 8 | Brandon Harris | United Kingdom | 1,616,000 |
| 9 | Luke Chung | United States | 1,606,000 |
| 10 | Chad Power | United States | 1,546,000 |
The 2025 WSOP Main Event has generated a substantial prize pool of $90,535,500 from its 9,735 entries, making it the third-largest Main Event in history. Players finishing in the top 1,461 positions will receive a minimum payout of $15,000 when the money bubble bursts during Day 4. The eventual champion will claim the coveted $10,000,000 top prize, with all nine final table participants guaranteed millionaire status.
Defending champion Jonathan Tamayo survived Day 2d with a modest 158,500 chips, keeping his back-to-back title hopes alive as the only former Main Event winner to advance from that particular day. His quiet approach contrasts sharply with the elimination of other former champions including Joe McKeehen, Hossein Ensan, Huck Seed, Stoyan Madanzhiev, and Ryan Riess.
Super Turbo Bounty Marathon Concludes
Event #87: $5,000 Super Turbo Bounty required marathon effort before determining its champion. Starting at 2:00 p.m. local time with 1,283 players, the tournament stretched far beyond normal hours as organizers worked to complete the event in a single day.
After approximately 16 hours of continuous play, Netanel Stern finally claimed victory, earning their first WSOP bracelet along with $618,377. The extended duration nearly forced organizers to add an additional day, highlighting the challenge of completing such a large field in the allocated time frame.
Punsri Among Strong Performers in PLO Mystery Bounty Field
Day 1a of Event #86: $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha proved to be one of the most competitive starting flights of the summer, attracting 2,171 players to the felt. After 12 levels of intense action, only 325 survivors bagged chips, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling conclusion.
Washington State’s Casey Wassell claimed the overnight chip lead with 1,135,000, becoming one of only two players to crack the seven-figure mark. Igor Zektser, fresh off his victory in the $1,500 Big O event, joined him in the millionaire’s club with 1,087,000.
Thailand’s Punnat Punsri delivered a strong performance, finishing eighth overall with 760,000 chips. The accomplished tournament veteran, who leads Thailand’s all-time money list with over $25 million in live earnings, has been having an exceptional summer with six cashes including a third-place finish in both the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em Shootout and $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed events.
Several established professionals secured strong positions for Day 2, including Michael Moncek (655,000), Brandon Shack-Harris (648,000), Craig Varnell (630,000), and Jason Daly (612,000). Notable players with smaller but still competitive stacks include five-time bracelet winner Robert Mizrachi (230,000), Jason Somerville (234,000), and Patrick Leonard (181,000).
Ultra Stack Reaches Thrilling Finale
Event #85: $600 Ultra Stack has reduced its field of 7,057 players to just 14 survivors, each positioned to compete for the $355,110 top prize. The remaining players face crucial decisions as significant money jumps await, with every elimination bringing them closer to the championship.
Eric Rabelas starts the final day with the chip lead at 82,000,000, holding a substantial advantage over second-place Delano Jackson at 54,500,000. Blake Napierala occupies third place with 45,000,000 chips.
The tournament’s final table appearance guarantees $35,610, creating additional pressure as players navigate the closing stages. Zhengyu Guan sits in sixth position with 31,000,000 chips, representing the last female player remaining in the field.
With nine of the remaining 14 players already owning WSOP bracelets, the stakes couldn’t be higher for those seeking their first piece of gold. The compressed nature of the field means that every decision carries enormous weight as the tournament reaches its climax.
Day 44 Preview: Multiple Championships on the Line
Day 44 promises to be another action-packed day across the WSOP schedule, with several events reaching their crescendo. The Main Event continues with Day 4 at 12:00 p.m. local time, where the 1,476 survivors will battle through five 120-minute levels with the money bubble expected to burst.
The $600 Ultra Stack will crown its champion, with the final 14 players competing for the substantial $355,110 top prize. Play resumes at 1:00 p.m. local time despite concluding just 11 hours earlier, ensuring fresh drama for the conclusion.
Day 1b of the $1,000 Mystery Bounty Pot-Limit Omaha begins at 10:00 a.m. local time, offering another chance for players to join the 325 Day 1a survivors. Anyone hoping to match the leading stacks will need to accumulate more than 713,000 chips.
Two new events launch on Day 44, headlined by Event #88: $50,000 High Roller starting at 12:00 p.m. local time. Last year’s edition attracted 178 players, with Jared Bleznick claiming the title and $2,037,947 for his first WSOP bracelet. Expect poker’s elite to converge for this prestigious event.
The afternoon brings Event #89: $3,000 Mid-Stakes Championship No-Limit Hold’em at 2:00 p.m. local time. France’s Clement Richez dominated the 2024 field of 3,176 players, earning $1,041,989 and his maiden bracelet. The championship format ensures another competitive field vying for substantial prizes.
As the 2025 WSOP enters its final stretch, the combination of prestigious events and massive prize pools continues to deliver the drama and excitement that defines poker’s most important series. With multiple championships on the line and the Main Event approaching its crucial money bubble, Day 44 is positioned to be another memorable chapter in this year’s historic tournament.
For comprehensive coverage of all the action, GGPoker, the official partner of the WSOP, brings you closer to the world’s biggest poker series with expert analysis, live updates, and content throughout the summer.
