The current GPI Player of the Year is optimistic he’ll be able to take down the event
Jesse Lonis, the reigning GPI Player of the Year and current frontrunner for 2025, has placed an audacious bet on himself to win the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event. Lonis agreed to a $2,000 wager at 500-to-1 odds with Mikita Badziakouski, a prominent high-stakes player who currently sits in fifth place on poker’s all-time money list. If Lonis emerges victorious in poker’s most prestigious tournament, he stands to collect an additional $1 million from the Belarusian pro.
Lonis announced on social media, explaining that while the loss of $2,000 wouldn’t have much impact, winning the bet would leave a lasting memory. The bet was made during a conversation between the two at the PokerGO Studio, where Lonis was competing in the $15,000 event.
They discussed the odds of him winning the Main Event, and after some back and forth, Badziakouski offered a 300-to-1 bet, which Lonis countered with 500-to-1. After a moment of consideration, Badziakouski agreed, and the bet was sealed.
I booked a bet $2,000 at 500/1 to win the @WSOP main event. Payout would be $1,000,000. How could I say no! If I lose 2k I won’t remember in a couple of days. If I win the bet I’ll remember the rest of my life. Mikita Badziakouski is the one that booked the bet. Legend 🦍😂
— Jesse Lonis (@JesseLonis) July 8, 2025
Lonis, who is currently playing in the Main Event, has been building a solid chip stack, holding 120,000 chips as of Day 2d. His goal is to make it to Day 5 of the tournament, and in the process, he hopes to give Badziakouski some “pain” as he fights for the world championship title.
Reigning champion Jonathan Tamayo, who took home the title in 2024, called the bet “insane,” stating that the odds were incredibly steep for Lonis. However, Tamayo, who also acknowledged the slim chances of defending his title, reminded everyone that there’s always a shot in poker, no matter how improbable. For now, all eyes are on Lonis as he continues his pursuit of poker’s ultimate prize.
