Card player Kristopher Tong ends his bracelet drought at the 2025 WSOP H.O.R.S.E. Championship with a winning performance.
Living the Poker Dream: Kristopher Tong's Hard-Earned Victory
After a decade of heartbreak and comes-close moments, Kristopher "The Grinder" Tong finally took home the big one-the WSOP 2025 $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship title, along with a whopping $452,689 and a gold bracelet[1]. With tears in his eyes and a stack full of chips, Tong conquered 207 poker heavyweights, making this win a full-circle moment[2].
Time Well Spent
Tong had been flirting with WSOP greatness for over ten years. He was the perpetual "almost-guy," with a second-place finish in 2013, a deep run in 2023, and consistently playing among the best. But as they say, patience pays off, and Tong's time finally came.
"I've been through a lot, especially this past year with my family," Tong shared in a touching interview. "But that pain turned into power, and now this bracelet means more than just gold-it's growth."
The Nitty-Gritty
The $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship drew 207 entries[1], generating a prize pool of almost $2 million. Thirty-two players made the money, with aces like Huck Seed, Todd Brunson, and John Hennigan all cashing but falling short of the final table[3].
Day 3 ended with just four players remaining, and Tong secured a massive chip lead-over double that of his closest competitor[3]. The field was stacked-five of the eight finalists had multiple WSOP bracelets, and they combined for 21 bracelets in total[1].
The Final Showdown: A Marathon Match
The final table was relentless. Tong faced off against poker titans, including Jason Mercier, Brad Ruben, and Maximilian Schindler. After surviving multiple all-ins and tricky game spots, Tong stood tall, demonstrating mental fortitude and poker skill[3].
Heads-up against Schindler was a marathon match. Schindler built an initial 2-to-1 chip lead, but Tong fought back, showcasing inspired gameplay. The most iconic moment came in a hero call that flipped the momentum for good, setting the stage for Tong's win[3].
The final hand came in Seven Card Stud Eight-or-Better. Tong made a straight, while Schindler could only muster two pairs[1]. The bracelet was finally Kristopher Tong's[1].
The Last Payouts Standing
- Kristopher Tong - $452,689
- Maximilian Schindler - $301,786
- Brad Ruben - $206,747
- Jason Mercier - $144,965
- Marco Johnson - $104,089
- Alex Livingston - $76,581
- Scott Seiver - $57,766
- Walter Chambers - $44,703
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What's the H.O.R.S.E. Championship at WSOP all about? The H.O.R.S.E. Championship is a mixed-game event featuring five poker variants: Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, Razz, Seven Card Stud, and Eight-or-Better[1]. Due to its complexity and the need for a wide range of skills, it's one of the most prestigious events in poker.
2. How many players competed in Event #55? A total of 207 entries competed in Event #55[1], generating a prize pool of $1,925,100.
3. Had Kristopher Tong won any WSOP gold before this event? This was Tong's first WSOP gold bracelet victory, despite multiple prior cashes and a runner-up finish in 2013[3].
[1] https://www.wsop.com/2025/en/about/event-55/[2] https://www.pokernews.com/tours/wsop/2025-wsop-event-55-10000-horse-endment-iv-championship-day-3-live-updates-64742.htm[3] https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/18060-kristopher-tong-scores-first-career-wsop-bracelet-in-10000-horse-championship.html
Everyone wants to know when Kristopher Tong's poker career finally saw a breakthrough, and now they do. After a decade of grind and nearly earning the big win multiple times, Tong's steadfast determination paid off in the H.O.R.S.E Championship at WSOP 2025, bagging him a gold bracelet, $452,689, and a place in poker history.
