The WPT World Championship has once again delivered elite-level drama, massive prize money, and a defining career moment, as the 2025 World Poker Tour season officially wrapped up at Wynn Las Vegas. The flagship event of the festival, the $10,400 buy-in WPT World Championship Main Event, drew a massive 1,865 entries, creating a staggering $18.27 million prize pool and reaffirming its place as one of the most prestigious tournaments in live poker.
After nine days of high-pressure competition, it was Schuyler Thornton who stood alone at the top, capturing his first WPT title and a career-best payday worth $2,258,856.Schuyler Thornton Shines on Poker’s Biggest Stage
The victory at the WPT World Championship marked a watershed moment for the 36-year-old pro from Corpus Christi, Texas. Prior to this event, Thornton was respected within poker circles but had never recorded a seven-figure live score. That changed dramatically in Las Vegas.
This multi-million-dollar win more than doubled Thornton’s lifetime tournament earnings, pushing his career total to nearly $4.3 million. Despite not being a regular on the live tournament circuit, Thornton’s background in online MTTs and high-stakes cash games proved invaluable on poker’s grandest stage.
“I ran hotter than anyone could ever dream of running,” Thornton said after the win. “You’re allowed to run good—it’s not against the rules.”
WPT World Championship Festival Delivers Another Record Performance
Running from December 13–21 at Wynn Las Vegas, the WPT World Championship festival once again attracted the game’s biggest names and deepest fields. A total of 233 players finished in the money, with numerous poker heavyweights making deep runs, including:
- Mohsin Charania (70th)
- Asher Conniff (60th)
- John Hennigan (46th)
- Eugene Katchalov (43rd)
- Jared Jaffee (11th)
The depth of talent on display reinforced the event’s reputation as one of the most challenging tournaments in the world.
Final Table Set as Thornton Builds Momentum
The final six players were determined on Friday, December 19, with play resuming after a scheduled day off. Entering the final session, Soheb Porbandarwala held the chip lead, while Thornton sat comfortably in second position.
From there, Thornton went on an elimination spree that defined the closing stages of the WPT World Championship.
Sixth Place – Maxx Coleman ($540,000)
Two-time bracelet winner Maxx Coleman was the first to fall, when his A♣10♥ couldn’t overcome Thornton’s A♠Q♦. Both players made trip aces, but Thornton’s superior kicker sealed the knockout.
Fifth Place – Jeremy Becker ($710,000)
Rising star Jeremy Becker got the rest of his stack in with A♦2♣, trailing Thornton’s A♥10♥. The board offered no help, ending Becker’s run and pushing his career earnings past $4.1 million.
Four-Handed Play: Thornton Takes Control
Thornton continued his dominant stretch by eliminating Chad Lipton in fourth place. Lipton check-shoved the turn with J♣10♠ on a Q♥J♥4♦2♠ board, only to be called by Thornton holding A♥Q♦. The river changed nothing, sending Lipton home with $940,000, the largest score of his career.
Key Hand Sends Jeremy Brown to the Rail
Three-handed play saw Jeremy Brown as the short stack, but he survived for several orbits before tangling with Thornton in a massive pot. After flopping top pair against Thornton’s set of fours, Brown fired three streets, only to be snap-called on the river when the board paired.
Thornton’s full house ended Brown’s incredible run in third place for $1,250,000, a career-best result.
A Fast and Furious Heads-Up Battle
Heads-up play at the WPT World Championship began with Thornton holding 111.1 million chips, compared to Porbandarwala’s 75.1 million. Before cards were dealt, the two agreed to a deal that locked up $2,098,456 for Thornton and $1,969,344 for Porbandarwala, leaving the title, extra cash, and a seat in the 2026 event to play for.
From there, it was all Thornton.
He won 11 consecutive hands, ballooning his stack to nearly a 12:1 chip advantage. The final hand saw Thornton’s A♦K♠ defeat Porbandarwala’s A♥6♥, as the board paired kings to seal the championship.
WPT World Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Schuyler Thornton | $2,258,856 | 2,700 |
| 2 | Soheb Porbandarwala | $1,969,344 | 2,250 |
| 3 | Jeremy Brown | $1,250,000 | 1,800 |
| 4 | Chad Lipton | $940,000 | 1,350 |
| 5 | Jeremy Becker | $710,000 | 1,125 |
| 6 | Maxx Coleman | $540,000 | 900 |
Why the WPT World Championship Remains Poker’s Crown Jewel
Year after year, the WPT World Championship continues to set the gold standard for live tournament poker. Massive fields, elite competition, life-changing money, and unforgettable storylines make it one of the most sought-after titles in the game.
For Schuyler Thornton, the 2025 edition will forever stand as the moment his career reached new heights.
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