Forget the quiet pre-holiday buzz; November roared to life on the WPT circuit. With the massive WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas rapidly approaching, top players and rising stars worldwide made their final push for titles, momentum, and seats to the biggest event of the year.
From the Sunshine State to the Gold Coast, here are the biggest movers, the double winners, and the breakout performances that defined the late-year action.
Connor Rash Secures WPT Champions Cup in Jacksonville
The largest score of the month was locked up in Florida, where Connor Rash topped the 327-entry field to ship the WPT bestbet Scramble Championship. Rash earned a total of $315,530, which included the coveted $10,400 entry into the WPT World Championship in Las Vegas.
Rash, a fixture in Florida’s mid-stakes scene, showcased why he earned his spot on the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup. Facing a tough final table, including perennial threats Byron Kaverman and Jessica Dawley, Rash navigated pressure points with confidence.
The heads-up battle against Dylan Smith saw Rash absorb momentum swings and respond with relentless preflop aggression. The decisive hand came late when, on a board of Ten, Seven, Five, Jack, Rash called Smith’s all-in shove on the turn holding Nine-Eight for a jack-high straight. The hand held, confirming the victory. Rash’s performance reaffirmed that the chip leader can, and often does, finish the job under the lights.
Ángel Guillén’s Double Title Heater at WPT Australia
Down under, WPT Global Ambassador Ángel Guillén put on one of the most complete performances of 2025. Guillén went on an epic heater at WPT Australia, securing two separate titles in a span of just 72 hours at The Star Gold Coast.
First, Guillén took down the AU$5,000 Mad Max event. He then immediately jumped into the AU$20,000 Super High Roller, where he defeated his own Los Jefes teammate, Sergio Barrios, heads-up to capture his second trophy.
The combined winnings for Guillén tallied an impressive AU$321,000, cementing his place as a must-watch contender at the Wynn. His success, which he attributes to mental game mastery and emotional control, is consistent with his record; he has cashed in every Gold Coast series since 2022.
Dylan Smith’s $200,000 Scramble Performance
While falling just short of the title, Dylan Smith’s run at the WPT bestbet Scramble secured him a hefty $200,000 payout and a major live result. Smith’s performance throughout the event highlighted his composure and ability to adapt.
Smith successfully navigated a tough final table draw, continually building his stack back up from short and medium territory. In the heads-up battle, he utilized well-timed river bets and aggressive lines to trade pots with Rash, forcing the eventual champion into difficult spots. Smith’s $200,000 score places him among the month’s top earners, confirming his strong online reputation translates seamlessly to the live felt.
Zengxiang Chen Ships Record-Breaking WPT Prime Korea
The WPT Prime brand continues to explode across Asia, with the Main Event at Jeju setting a new standard. The WPT Prime Korea Main Event, held at Les A Casino, drew a record 515 entries, nearly doubling its guarantee and generating a total prize pool of KRW 667 million.
The winner, Zengxiang Chen of China, emerged from the record field to claim KRW 129,030,000, roughly $94,000. Chen’s story is particularly inspiring: he is a disciplined player who has only six months of live tournament experience.
Crucially, Chen entered the tournament via a ¥330 qualifying step on WPT Global, making him the latest example of how the online satellite structure is funneling talent from micro-stakes into major live opportunities. His patient approach and victory underscore the rapid growth of the competitive talent pool in the APAC region.
Team Los Jefes Dominate the Australian Team Event
Beyond the Main Tour success, WPT Australia unveiled a new format with the Team Tournament, which Los Jefes utterly dominated. Captained by Guillén, the five-man squad secured five event titles between them, racking up an untouchable 3,605 points.
The team’s overwhelming victory over the rest of the field, combined with the exciting results from the individual members (including Sergio Barrios’ two titles and Bernardo Crespo’s one title), proved the potential for team-based competition to add thrilling new storylines to future WPT festivals.
The Final Countdown to Wynn Las Vegas
November delivered not just scores, but clear narratives. The established winners like Rash and Guillén enter the WPT World Championship battle-tested and carrying undeniable momentum. Simultaneously, the success of online qualifiers like Chen highlights the growing global reach and accessibility of the WPT brand. With these major storylines locked in, all eyes now turn to Las Vegas for the largest guaranteed prize pool in poker history.
