A Southern California-based poker dealer captured the title and $64,369
The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) officially crowned its first bracelet winner of the summer on Wednesday, as Phovieng Keokham took down Event #2, the $500 Industry Employees No-Limit Hold’em tournament. The Southern California-based poker dealer topped a field of 914 entries to claim the title and a $64,369 payday—his largest live tournament cash to date.
Keokham, who has worked in the poker industry for over 25 years and plays the WSOP regularly, was thrilled to finally break through in a big way. Known by friends as “Mr. Min-Cash” for his consistent but modest results, he outlasted a competitive field of casino and poker industry professionals to secure his first gold bracelet.
The final table featured a number of notable moments, including a dramatic final hand against runner-up Christopher Zollo. With blinds at 80,000/160,000, Zollo raised pre-flop and Keokham came over the top.
After a series of raises, the chips went in, with Keokham holding A♦ Q♣ and Zollo showing 9♦ 6♠. Zollo took the lead briefly with a 10♠ 9♠ 4♦ flop, but Keokham reclaimed control with a Q♥ on the turn. The 2♣ on the river sealed the win.
Keokham’s path to victory wasn’t smooth. He was one of the shortest stacks with seven players remaining and had earlier lost a big hand with pocket aces to Pedro Green’s A♦ 10♣. In a twist of fate, Keokham later eliminated Green with pocket aces that held this time.
The event was the first under its new title—Industry Employees—previously known as the Casino Employees event. PokerNews writer Connor Richards also made a strong run, finishing seventh for a career-best $8,301.
With the first bracelet awarded, the WSOP rolls on with multiple events entering day two, including the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em and $1,500 Omaha Eight-or-Better tournaments.
