The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) $10,000 Main Event field shrank sharply on Day 4. Indeed, the money bubble burst early that day, guaranteeing payouts for the remaining 1,461 players. This historic tournament attracted 9,735 entrants – the third-largest in WSOP history – with a prize pool of $90.54 million.
Initially, play slowed as the final 1,476 contenders battled. Then, after just 15 eliminations, hand-for-hand action began. Shortly thereafter, Adam Rude became the last player eliminated without compensation. He moved all-in with pocket sevens, but Kosaku Akashi responded with an ace-high club flush, and Rude exited in 1,463rd place.
Players Flipped for a Paradise Package After Main Event Bubble Burst
Immediately following Rude’s elimination, poker-media buzzed around a unique consolation twist. Three players who bubbled, Marco Dickner, Mathew Frankland, and Sachin Joshi – finishing 1,461st to 1,463rd – gathered for a random card runout. Ultimately, Matthew Frankland triumphed and claimed a $30,000 WSOP Paradise package. As a result, this added drama captured attention among the best online poker sites tracking WSOP developments.
Moreover, play accelerated dramatically after the bubble burst. Over 200 players exited within the next hour, dramatically thinning the field. Consequently, the tournament progressed quickly toward the later payout phases.
Meanwhile, industry observers noted the ripple effect across the poker ecosystem and best online poker sites. Higher visibility for WSOP events typically increases traffic to online platforms. Many site operators highlighted the bubble burst as a key promotional moment, leveraging its drama to engage players across their platforms.
Overall, the 2025 WSOP Main Event bubble burst provided a defining moment. It mixed classic tension with fearless poker action. First, the early burst guaranteed min-cash payouts. Then, the surprise consolation event added extra flair.
Short Stack Winners
Yinan Zhou and John Pointer advanced and remain contenders for the top $10 million prize. Meanwhile, Steffen Schroeter, Stephen Kurland, and Keith Heine also reached the money, each earning $15,000 for finishing in 1,438th place.