WSOP Day 17: Martirosian's Brutal Exit in $100K High Roller as Nguyen Eyes Millions

Martirosian's Nightmare and Final Table Drama with Kabrhel

The most expensive tournament of this year's series – Event #36: $100K High Roller – brought high drama on its second day. Russia's Artur Martirosian became the day's tragic hero, securing the dreaded bubble boy spot in 19th place.

Just three days after clinching his fourth bracelet, Martirosian experienced a jaw-dropping end as his aces were cracked twice in quick succession. First, Christopher Nguyen hit two pairs with K s Q s, followed by Teun Mulder completing a straight on the river with J s T s. Instead of competing for the title, Martirosian walked away empty-handed, despite being a chipleader before the bubble.

Other legends also met their end near the money, including Daniel Negreanu (23rd place), Phil Ivey, Jason Koon, and Stephen Chidwick. 

In a contrasting story, Austrian Christopher Nguyen presents a dazzling run, dominating with a massive 17.2 million chips, entering the final day as a chipleader. Other star names at the nine-handed final table include Yuri Dzivielevski, Alex Foxen, and the unpredictable Martin Kabrhel.

Kabrhel sparked controversy again, this time on livestream, engaging in a heated exchange with Sam Soverel over card scanning. Soverel refused to scan his cards during the hand, opting to do so afterward, leading Kabrhel to loudly protest to the floor. 

The finalists are guaranteed at least $255,491, with the winner taking home nearly $3 million.

Event #36: $100,000 High Roller NLH Final Table Lineup

Justin Liberto Eyes Second Bracelet This Year

Event #33: $10K PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better has reached its final phase after a grueling third day. Originally starting with 390 entries, only five remain in the hunt for the gold bracelet and a top prize of $767,395.

The standout player was American Justin Liberto, who bagged a staggering 13,590,000 chips, representing nearly 60% of the chips in play. He's close to clinching his third career bracelet.

Liberto had several key moments that catapulted him into a dominant lead, including a brutal double elimination of Matthew Schreiber (8th place) and Jarod Minghini (7th place). If he maintains his lead, he'll capture his second bracelet this year in Omaha split-pot formats, having already won Event #14.

In the final day, he'll face off against Nathan Gamble, Nino Pansier, Matthew Beinner, and Martin Zamani. Notable finishes just shy of the final include Marco Johnson (6th place), Jason Mercier (12th place), and Joao Vieira (22nd place).

Event #33: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship Final Table Standings

Negreanu's Incredible Comeback

The start of Event #38: $10K Limit Hold'em reaffirmed the game's allure for top players. The opening day saw 87 players, with 40 moving on after ten levels.

Jeremy Ausmus led the pack, already having two final tables this year, and established a solid foundation for another shot at his seventh bracelet.

However, the day's hero was undoubtedly Daniel Negreanu, who, minutes after sitting down, nearly lost his entire stack, finding himself with just 3 big blinds remaining. Negreanu mounted a phenomenal comeback, ending Day 1 in 8th place.

A quirky moment saw Shaun Deeb arrive just 15 minutes before the day's end, yet he doubled his stack, placing him in 17th position.

Top 10 Stacks After Day 1 – Event #38: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship 7-Handed

Bellande Leads Final Seven in $3K NLH

The $3,000 NLH event has reached its climax after three days, leaving only seven contenders vying for the gold bracelet and a top prize of $538,158 from a prize pool of $3,471,000.

American Jean-Robert Bellande, a controversial character, tops the final table. He initially entered with an average stack but shot to the top after eliminating Kevin Naegelen (8th place), playing his A d K h against A s Q c.

German pro Jessica Vierling will enter the final day from fourth place as the table's sole woman.

Event #32: $3,000 No-Limit Hold’em Pre-Final Day Standings

Schulman Chases Eighth Bracelet

From a total of 780 entries in Event #37: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E, only 14 players remain, battling for the gold and a top prize of $183,366.

Leading the pack after Day 2 is Canadian Clayton Mozdzen, the only player to bag over three million chips. However, poker Hall of Famer Nick Schulman, starting 7th, will aim for his eighth bracelet.

Also in contention are two-time champion Mike Wattel and 2025 bracelet winner Philip Sternheimer.

Event #37: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Pre-Final Day Standings

Will Givens Dominates Second PLO Flight

Event #35: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha closed its Day 1b with a tally of 2,581 entries, creating a prize pool of $2,146,567. After both starting flights, 191 players remain.

Chinese player Qiang Xu holds the overall chip lead after dominating Day 1a, while the second flight (1b) was taken by known American pro Will Givens.

Promising stacks were also bagged by Zdeněk Žižka, Event #12 winner Stephen Hubbard, and Lou Garza.

COLOSSUS Secures Initial Day 3 Entrants

The popular Event #34: $500 COLOSSUS continues to attract huge participation. The second of four opening flights (1b) saw a remarkable increase with 3,129 entries. By the end of 15 levels, 612 players bagged chips.

American Cody Little emerged as the flight's chipleader, with well-known names advancing, including 2024 Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo, Scott Ball, Timur Margolin, and veteran Kathy Liebert.

Meanwhile, Day 2a saw 501 successful entry players return from flight 1a. After twelve intense levels, the field narrowed to 43 advancing to Day 3, led by American Anthony Fay.

Interestingly, none of the 43 Day 2a survivors have claimed a gold bracelet in their careers. They now enjoy a few days off as the remaining flights and days play out.

Sources: WSOP, WSOP Live, X