With just 202 players remaining out of an original field of 9,735 entrants, Germany’s Sebastian Schulze has claimed the chip lead at the 2025 WSOP Main Event. His dominant Day 5 performance has positioned him as one of the top contenders for the championship title and the massive $10 million first-place prize.

Schulze’s Breakout Performance

Sebastian Schulze concluded Day 5 with an impressive chip stack of 12,745,000, placing him at the top of the leaderboard. His rise was marked by two key hands: first, a dramatic pot where he held aces full to defeat an opponent’s nines full, and shortly after, a flopped flush that secured another massive win.

These back-to-back victories not only gave Schulze momentum but also made him a force at the tables. With over 200 big blinds in play, he enters Day 6 with both leverage and confidence.

Top Stacks and Rising Contenders

While Schulze leads the pack, other players have also built deep stacks. Chad Power (9,540,000), Braxton Dunaway (8,600,000), and Sergio Veloso (8,200,000) are all within striking distance. Each has displayed solid play and will be looking to chip up further as the field narrows.

The tournament now enters a critical stage, with big pay jumps looming and only the most consistent and composed players surviving the intense pressure of long days and high-stakes action.

Poker Pros Still in the Hunt

Several well-known names are still chasing the title. Former Main Event champion Greg Merson remains in contention with just under 3 million chips, hoping to make history by securing a second Main Event win. Also surviving are Isaac Haxton, Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi, Will Kassouf, and Leo Margets, ensuring that the path to the final table will be filled with tough matchups and exciting showdowns.

Their experience could be key as the pressure mounts and each decision carries more weight.

What to Expect on Day 6

Day 6 will begin with blinds at 30,000/60,000 with a big blind ante in play. The remaining players will battle through four two-hour levels, pushing closer to the nine-handed final table. With the top prize still ahead and only a few dozen eliminations separating the field from the final few tables, every hand will be pivotal.

Expect aggressive plays, dramatic flips, and calculated risks as the tournament edges toward its final stretch.