Unleashing the $3,000 Nine-Game Melee: The Road to Poker Glory
Updates on WSOP 2025: The Mixed Game Event Progresses Smoothly
The $3,000 Nine-Game Mix ain't no walk in the park. This poker extravaganza pushes players to their limits, offering a smorgasbord of games from the high-stakes limit to the wild no-limit hold'em, stud to razz, and everything in between. If you've gotta wide skillset and deep pockets, this event's your ticket to fame and fortune.
Enter Robert Wells of the UK, the latest World Series of Poker (WSOP) Nine-Game Mix champion. After a late-night showdown on Monday, Wells took home his very first bracelet and a whopping $228,115 in cold, hard cash.
The grueling three-day competition began with 409 hopefuls and whittled down to just one. The final day commenced with 18 players, a third of whom already boasted their own WSOP bracelets. By the time we said goodbye to poker veteran David Bach in 6th place, we knew a newbie would join the ranks of WSOP bracelet winners.
Wells and Canada's Thomas Taylor locked horns in the final head-to-head showdown. Taylor quickly seized the lead, but the game was far from over—almost two hours still remained. The advantage oscillated back and forth until Wells secured a significant lead during a thrilling stud hi-lo round.
The nail in the coffin came in a no-limit 2-7 single draw. With just a 10-high, Wells went all-in. Taylor called off his last chips and drew one card. Desperately needing a 4, 5, 6, or 9 to win, Taylor was dealt a cruel blow with a useless . With that, Wells sealed the deal.
Gearing Up for the Poker Players Championship
You might hear this event referred to as the 'Mini PPC'—and rightly so. With a buy-in a mere tenth that of the main event and a manageable three-day stretch, the $3,000 Nine-Game Mix serves as a warm-up act for the $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC).
If Russell Wells is eyeing more action, he'll be able to join the PPC as it roars into action on Tuesday. With as prestigious a title and prize pool on offer in this event as in any summer, you can bet your boots the poker elite will be gunning for a shot at glory.
The PPC's esteemed alumni list includes big names like Dan 'Jungleman' Cates, Michael Mizrachi, and Brian Rast, who have each taken home multiple titles over the years. Defending champion Daniel Negreanu also graces the ranks.
We'll be keeping a keen eye on the PPC proceedings during the five-day grind, so keep checking back for updates.
Sore Losers and New Contenders
The $1,000 Battle of the Ages sent two starting flights—one for those over 50 and another for the under-50 crowd—sending 461 players into Day 2. With 8 players left to battle it out and an unscheduled Day 3 scheduled for Tuesday, it's clear we won't be crowning a winner tonight.
Things ran late on Day 2, which may favor the younger players with their more flexible late-night schedules. Glancing at the final table, it appears most contenders might hail from the youthful side of the tournament, but the ages aren't a requirement for poker prowess.
Joseph Roh, a 2023 bracelet winner, grabbed the chip lead on Day 1 and still holds it heading into Tuesday. With just 35 big blinds remaining, expect quick eliminations as players go all in for the pot.
Meanwhile, the $1,500 Millionaire Maker is down to 44 players, having lost several high-profile competitors during Monday's Day 3. Kaifan Wang currently tops the leaderboard, but with at least two more days remaining, it's too early for victory dances.
Tune in tomorrow—and every day throughout the WSOP—for more tournament updates.
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Poker players found themselves testing their skills in sports-like competition during the $3,000 Nine-Game Mix, viewing it as a warm-up act for the prestigious $50,000 Poker Players Championship (PPC). Meanwhile, a senior player named Joseph Roh, fresh off a 2023 bracelet win, holds the chip lead in the ongoing $1,000 Battle of the Ages tournament.
