Jonathan Tamayo’s run at the 2025 WSOP Main Event came to an early end, halting his title defense hopes. The defending champion bowed out on Day 3, unable to regain momentum after a tough start.
Tamayo entered the tournament with high expectations after his stunning victory in 2024. Poker fans and major poker sites closely watched his performance. However, the cards never aligned in his favor this time around.
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Tamayo’s WSOP Main Event 2025 Run
During Day 1, Tamayo struggled to build a solid chip stack. He managed to survive, but barely stayed above the average line. On Day 2, he tightened his play and chipped up slightly. Still, he failed to gain traction.
Day 3 saw defending champion Tamayo open with a min-raise to 6,000 from early position holding 8♥8♠. Alen Tenorio, seated in the hijack with A♣K♣, responded with a three-bet to 17,500. Tamayo then moved all in for 107,500, and Tenorio, holding the bigger stack, made the call.
The flop ran out A♦J♣9♣, giving Tenorio top pair and a flush draw. Tamayo was left hoping for one of the remaining eights, but none appeared on the turn or river.
With that, Tamayo was eliminated just under two levels into Day 3. This marked a sharp contrast to his triumph last year when he overcame a record-setting 10,112-player field to win an eight-figure payday.
Despite the early exit, Tamayo found a silver lining—he only invested $160 to enter, thanks to a win in a WSOP Online flip satellite. Moreover, Tamayo remained gracious in defeat. “It’s tough, but that’s poker,” he said. “You play the best you can and move on.”
Fan Sentiment After Tamayo’s Run
Fans on poker sites expressed disappointment but praised Tamayo for his sportsmanship and calm demeanor. Many noted that his 2024 win still ranks among the most impressive in recent WSOP history.
Tournament officials also acknowledged his contribution to the game. They credited him for inspiring many new players to join both live tournaments and poker sites worldwide.
With Tamayo out, the field is wide open. New contenders are emerging daily, adding excitement to the 2025 Main Event. Analysts from top poker sites are already debating who might take this year’s crown.
Jonathan Tamayo’s 2025 journey may have ended early, but his legacy as a WSOP champion remains strong. He plans to play in more bracelet events this summer and support growing interest in online and live poker.
For now, the poker world turns its eyes to new faces, while remembering Tamayo’s thrilling run from just a year ago. He wasn’t the only former Main Event champion to fall early. Past winners Ryan Riess, Jamie Gold, and Chris Moneymaker also busted from the 2025 Main Event.