Alex Foxen raised to 50,000 on the button with A♣7♥, and Nikita Kuznetsov called in the big blind with Q♣5♠.
Both players checked on the Q♠J♦2♠ flop, prompting Kuznetsov to take over the betting lead on the 7♣ turn, to the tune of 150,000, and Foxen called.
The 9♦ completed the board, and Kuznetsov continued with a bet of 235,000. Foxen took a moment to consider, ultimately making the correct decision and folding.
Level: 52
Blinds: 10,000/20,000
Ante: 0
Phil Hellmuth has a chance on Monday to silence Shaun Deeb and his other doubters.
The Poker Hall of Famer has reached the final table in Event #9: $10,000 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP). If he battles through a short stack and takes this event down, he will secure his record-extending 18th bracelet and first since 2023.
The returning players have settled in, and the cards are in the air in both semifinals.
In line with the WSOP live stream, reporting will be delayed by 210 minutes to prevent spoilers.
Check out the bracket here to see who is matching up in an attempt to advance to the final.
It's almost time for the semifinals in Event #7: $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship at the 2026 World Series of Poker (WSOP), an event that, unlike any other, tests poker players on their ability to close out.
Just four players remain in the event that drew 128 runners for a prize pool of $3 million, leaving two matchups before a final round that will award a bracelet and $800,000. Japan's Ryuta Nakai and Russia's Nikita Kuznetsov will both be battling for a first bracelet, while all eyes will be on Dimitar Danchev battling Alex Foxen as the American pro looks for his fourth bracelet.
Foxen will have his work cut out for him on Day 3 as Danchev sits third on Bulgaria's all-time money list with $10.5 million in Hendon Mob earnings, and a victory would push him into second place.
Nakai, meanwhile, will look to add to his $2.5 million in live earnings, as Kuznetsov looks to bring six figures back to the homeland and add to his $4.5 million in earnings.
With the matchups already formed, Day 3 will get underway at 3:30 p.m. local time, with players returning with 4,800,000 in chips and blinds of 40,000/80,000.
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $800,000 | ||
| 2 | $528,000 | ||
| 3 | $300,000 | ||
| 4 | $300,000 |
All four players are guaranteed a payday of at least $300,000, and they could ladder up to $528,000 with a runner-up finish.
Stay tuned as the PokerNews live reporting team is on-site and ready to see out the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship. Check out the live reporting hub for other 2026 WSOP highlights.
Event #7: $25,000 Heads Up No-Limit Hold'em Championship
Day 3 Started
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