The most festive time of the year for poker enthusiasts is back once again. With the glitz of Las Vegas ready to shine a little brighter, the 56th Annual World Series of Poker kicks off tomorrow, bringing with it the excitement, ambition, and drama that poker fans across the globe wait for all year long.
From tournament veterans to rising stars, professionals and recreational players alike will gather at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas venues to test their mettle in pursuit of the coveted WSOP bracelets—and, of course, poker glory.
To help set the stage, we’ve compiled a list of 10 poker players you should be keeping an eye on this summer. Some are established legends; others are red-hot talents on a mission. But all of them have the potential to steal the spotlight in poker’s grandest tournament series.
10. Santhosh Suvarna
A few years ago, Santhosh Suvarna was barely on anyone’s radar. Today, the Indian businessman-turned-high-stakes poker phenom is one of the most talked-about players in the game. With over $17 million in live tournament earnings and two WSOP bracelets under his belt, Suvarna brings an unpredictable style that baffles even the most experienced pros.
Look for him in all events with buy-ins over $25K—where his fearless and unconventional approach makes him one of the most dangerous players in the room.
9. Scott Seiver
A proven force in both cash games and tournaments, Scott Seiver is coming off a stellar 2024 WSOP run that only strengthened his case for future Hall of Fame induction. The three-time bracelet winner and 2024 WSOP Player of the Year (POY) showed that mixed game specialists can go toe-to-toe with anyone.
If Seiver decides to commit to another full summer schedule, expect him to dominate mixed games and potentially add more hardware to his already illustrious resume.
8. Dan “Jungleman” Cates
From online legend to live-game eccentric, Dan Cates—aka “Jungleman”—continues to dazzle both on and off the felt. His back-to-back wins in the $50K Poker Players Championship in 2021 and 2022 confirmed his elite status.
Known for playing in wild costumes and fully embracing the showmanship side of poker, Jungleman is a must-watch at any final table. If he gets hot, expect both world-class play and high entertainment value.
7. Patrik Antonius
A veteran of the poker boom era, Patrik Antonius remains one of the smoothest players in the game. Despite more than $30 million in career earnings, the Finnish superstar still seeks his first WSOP bracelet.
After a strong showing on the Triton Poker Tour—including a $5 million win in November 2024—Antonius is expected to show up with a renewed focus. With momentum and motivation, this could finally be his year.
6. Jeremy Ausmus
A six-time bracelet winner and master of mixed games, Jeremy Ausmus quietly dominated the 2024 WSOP without capturing a title. With more than $26 million in lifetime winnings, Ausmus brings consistency, versatility, and endurance—making him a serious threat across the entire WSOP schedule.
Watch for him in everything from high buy-in NLH to obscure mixed games where his experience gives him a distinct edge.
5. João Vieira
João Vieira may not be a mainstream name yet, but within poker circles, he’s known as one of the most technically sound players in the game. The Portuguese pro has already amassed three WSOP bracelets and is fresh off his biggest year yet—capped by a $4.6 million score at a $150K Triton event.
He’ll enter this WSOP brimming with confidence and poised to make multiple deep runs.
4. Adrian Mateos
Adrian Mateos is a poker savant. With over $52 million in tournament earnings and four WSOP bracelets, the Spaniard is one of the youngest legends in the game. Though he hasn’t added a bracelet since 2021, Mateos remains a fixture at the highest levels.
He’ll be active in high rollers and championship events throughout the summer, and if variance is on his side, expect Mateos to reclaim the bracelet-winning form that once made him the most feared player on the circuit.
3. Daniel Negreanu
Daniel Negreanu needs no introduction. A six-time WSOP bracelet winner and the face of poker for two decades, “Kid Poker” remains as competitive as ever.
After capturing his seventh bracelet in the $50K Poker Players Championship last year, Negreanu returns in 2025 with vengeance on his mind. Expect him to fire in virtually every event, document the journey in his beloved vlogs, and fight tooth and nail for another deep summer run.
2. Kristen Foxen
Widely regarded as the best female poker player in history, Kristen Foxen (formerly Bicknell) enters the 2025 WSOP with five bracelets and a hunger for more. A proven winner in both massive field tournaments and elite high rollers, Foxen has the poise and poker IQ to take down any table she sits at.
Expect her to surpass $10 million in career winnings this summer—and maybe add a sixth bracelet to solidify her legacy.
1. Jesse Lonis
At just 28, Jesse Lonis has already become one of the most feared no-limit hold’em players in the world. With $15 million in earnings and two WSOP bracelets, Lonis is on a tear, and 2025 could be his breakout year on poker’s biggest stage.
Coming off a string of big scores—including runner-up in the $50K High Roller last year—Lonis is primed to dominate both the high stakes and the massive field events. If he stays on pace, this could be the summer the poker world crowns him its next superstar.
Whether you're following the chip counts, tuning in to livestreams, or reading updates from the rail, this year’s WSOP promises to deliver incredible storylines, dramatic hands, and the thrilling unpredictability that only poker can offer.
Let the cards fly—summer in Vegas has officially begun.
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