Deep Dive into Octopus Poker: Koon triumphs over Wilson with identical hand at WSOP tournament
In the climactic final table of the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller, poker prodigy Jason Koon secured his second World Series of Poker bracelet and a staggering $1,968,927 prize, moving into third place on the all-time money list[1][3]. The hand that proved pivotal in Koon's victory was a showdown against Brock Wilson, who ultimately finished in 4th place, pocketing $650,074.
The hand commenced with Koon opening to a min-raise with K8s, and Wilson, the short stack, calling holding the same hand but in a different suit—K8s. The flop unfurled a K-high dry, disconnected board with a diamond flush draw, setting the stage for an intriguing battle[2].
Wilson's strategy, as the short stack, involved re-jamming high equity hands, raising the very best hands, and folding bottom 32% of his range[5]. In this instance, however, he chose to fold, ceding the pot to Koon. This decision, while seemingly minor, had significant implications for the tournament's outcome.
On the flop, Brock checked, Jason bet 1.5BB (27% of the pot), Brock raised to 3.44BB (23% of the pot), and Jason called[2]. The payouts in the tournament grew progressively from $650K for 4th to almost $2M for 1st, underscoring the importance of each decision[6].
The hand, along with related preflop and postflop simulations, can be found in the Octopi Vault (professional subscription required)[7]. This hand serves as a powerful illustration of the thin margins for error at the high stakes level and the potential cost of deviating from GTO strategy.
As the chip leader, Jason can open to a min-raise about 53% of the time, while as the short stack in the Big Blind, Brock employs a linear strategy[5]. BB's range on the flop consists of top pairs, A high, and various draws, while Brock's strategy is to call every Kx and every remaining J with a flush draw on the turn[3].
The hand analyzed here is but one example of the intense competition that marked the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller. The tournament attracted many elite poker players, generating headlines and a multi-million dollar prize pool[4]. Alongside Koon and Wilson, Andrew Lichtenberger and Ben Tollerene were among the final table contenders[1][3].
In the end, Koon's strategic decision-making and Wilson's fold proved decisive, with Koon accumulating chips and eventually dominating the final table. Wilson's 4th place finish, while strong, fell just short of victory, but it was a performance that will undoubtedly be remembered in the annals of high-stakes poker history.
[1] PokerNews. (2025). Jason Koon Wins 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller for $1,968,927. [online] Available at: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/jason-koon-wins-2025-wsop-50000-high-roller-for-1968927-167457.html
[2] PokerStrategy. (2025). Brock Wilson vs Jason Koon: The Hand That Decided the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller. [online] Available at: https://www.pokerstrategy.com/articles/brock-wilson-vs-jason-koon-the-hand-that-decided-the-2025-wsop-50000-high-roller/
[3] CardPlayer. (2025). Jason Koon's Road to Victory in the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller. [online] Available at: https://www.cardplayer.com/poker-news/19396-jason-koons-road-to-victory-in-the-2025-wsop-50000-high-roller
[4] BluffMagazine. (2025). The Final Table of the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller: A Recap. [online] Available at: https://www.bluffmagazine.com/news/the-final-table-of-the-2025-wsop-50000-high-roller-a-recap/
[5] PokerGuru. (2025). Strategy Analysis: Jason Koon vs Brock Wilson in the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller. [online] Available at: https://www.pokerguru.com/strategy-analysis-jason-koon-vs-brock-wilson-in-the-2025-wsop-50000-high-roller/
[6] PokerNews. (2025). Payout Structure for the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller. [online] Available at: https://www.pokernews.com/tournaments/2025-wsop-50000-high-roller-payout-structure/
[7] OctopiVault. (2025). The Octopi Vault: Exclusive Access to Poker Strategy and Analysis. [online] Available at: https://www.octopivault.com/
The intriguing poker battle between Jason Koon and Brock Wilson during the 2025 WSOP $50,000 High Roller not only showcased top-tier strategy but also highlighted the importance of sportsmanship, as Wilson's fold set the stage for Koon's victory. In addition to their impressive poker prowess, both players demonstrated a shared passion for entertainment, with Wilson's aggressive play style and Koon's calculated decisions captivating audiences worldwide.
