Event #55: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
Day 4 Completed
2025 World Series of Poker
Event #55: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship
Day: 4
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 4
2025 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$10,000
Prize Pool
$1,925,100
Entries
207
Level
28
Limits
100,000 / 200,000
Ante
200,000
Entries
4
Players Left
1
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
The final table of Event #55: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship was full of notable names and accomplished mixed game stars, with a total of 21 World Series of Poker bracelets between the last eight contenders. As the tournament played on at Paris and Horseshoe Las Vegas, the battle came down to a pair of players looking for their first.
Both had come close in the past, but it was finally time for Kristopher Tong to take down this prestigious championship. The Michigan native and current Dallas, Texas resident outlasted Maximilian Schindler in heads-up play to conquer the field of 207 entries and earn the top prize of $452,689.
“I'm like super blessed in life,” Tong told PokerNews after the victory. “But I had kind of like a family tragedy like eight, nine months ago, and honestly it kind of messed me up for a little while. I've like grown so much, learned so much, really special people have come into my life more from that situation and it's just like crazy.”
Emotions were pouring out of Tong as he called his family after the final hand, even holding up his screen to include family members in his winner photos.
“Calling my parents, who've always been there for me and have really helped me through the last nine months, and then my kids. That's what I do everything for, my two motivations in life are them, so it was incredible.”
Event #55: $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kristopher Tong | United States | $452,689 |
| 2 | Maximilian Schindler | United States | $301,786 |
| 3 | Brad Ruben | United States | $206,747 |
| 4 | Jason Mercier | United States | $144,965 |
| 5 | Marco Johnson | United States | $104,089 |
| 6 | Alex Livingston | Canada | $76,581 |
| 7 | Scott Seiver | United States | $57,766 |
| 8 | Walter Chambers | United States | $44,703 |
WSOP Inspiration
The victory comes after a pair of close calls in Las Vegas, including a runner-up finish back at the 2013 World Series of Poker in Event #5: $2,500 Omaha/Seven-Card Stud Hi-Low 8-or-Better. Another deep came more recently, finishing fifth in 2023 against another stacked final table in Event #43: $50,000 Poker Players Championship.
Tong has been playing poker with his family since the age of five, and admits the timing for his first WSOP win just feels right.
“When I was a lot younger, I was dying for a bracelet. Then I kind of got more into just wanting to play big cash games. I wanted to make money. I wanted to make business, and take care of my family. But I've definitely changed my opinion on that recently, actually.”
Another point of inspiration came this summer, with Tong following the series from home. “I watched a friend win one and what it meant to him and his family, Philip Sternheimer, and I partially flew here to compete in only tournaments because I saw him win one. I wanted to compete and I wanted to win one, and now I want to win more, honestly.”
Final Table Action
The freezeout event drew 207 players, creating a prize pool of $1,925,100 as some of the top names in the poker world climbed the leaderboard. Tong was firmly in control during the final table, and had a fresh opportunity to play against the likes of Scott Seiver, Brad Ruben, Jason Mercier, Marco Johnson, and Alex Livingston.
“I want to definitely compete with all the best players and see where I'm at and get better, because there's a ton of better players that played this tournament, but it's a tournament so anyone can win.”
Tong entered the final day with a sizeable chip lead, but had to recover from a slow start.
“I just kind of kept telling myself I will get a rush of cards, I will survive these spots, and just try to save a bet here and there. And then when I needed it, I got hot. Even when we got heads-up, he was beating me pretty good for a while. I just kept battling, battling, battling.”
After climbing back from a big chip deficit against Schindler, Tong was able to seal the win in Stud Hi-Lo, making a straight to claim the title. He’ll next compete in the upcoming $50,000 Poker Players Championship, and was already thinking about what his WSOP schedule might look like in 2026.
“I'm definitely feeling really competitive, and I want to fight for more of these for sure. I may go all in and play a huge schedule and fight to win a bunch of these, so we'll see what happens.”
That wraps up our coverage of the $10,000 H.O.R.S.E. Championship, but make sure to follow PokerNews for more exciting action from the 2025 WSOP in Las Vegas.
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Hi-Lo
Maximilian Schindler: 3♥2♣ / 3♠9♠Q♥2♦ / Q♥ 
Kristopher Tong: 6♦4♠ / 7♠8♠9♣5♠ / 7♦
Kristopher Tong completed and Maximilian Schindler made the call. Schindler check-called on fourth street before moving all in on fifth. Tong called and the cards were turned up.
Tong made a straight by sixth street, while Schindler could not improve on his two pair. That saw Schindler exit in second place, matching his best finish in a WSOP event.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
11,800,000
700,000
|
700,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Seven Card Stud
Kristopher Tong: XxXx/K♣4♥8♥7♥
Maximilian Schindler: XxXx/2♥6♦A♥10♦ - folded on sixth street
Kristopher Tong completed and Maximilian Schindler called.
Tong bet on fourth street and Schindler called. Tong continued betting on fifth and sixth.
Schindler called on fifth to leave himself with just 700,000 behind, but he gave up his hand on sixth as he was left with less than two big bets.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
11,100,000
900,000
|
900,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
700,000
900,000
|
900,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
The clock has been paused while the players take a quick bathroom break.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
10,200,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,600,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Omaha Hi-Lo
Maximilian Schindler raised on the button and called after Kristopher Tong three-bet from the big blind.
The 3♠8♠7♦ flop produced a pair of checks, with Tong leading out on the Q♥ turn. Schindler called to see the 6♣ river, where Tong fired again.
Schindler called, and Tong showed A♣Q♦4♣3♥ for two pair and a low. Schindler showed an inferior two pair, with Tong taking down another pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
10,300,000
2,000,000
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,500,000
2,000,000
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Limit Hold'em
Kristopher Tong raised on the button before Maximilian Schindler slid out a three-bet in the big blind.
Tong called to the 10♦6♦6♣ flop, and Schindler continued with a bet. The call was made, and Schindler fired again on the 5♠ turn. Tong called to the J♣ river, and Schindler bet one last time.
Tong tossed in the call, seeing Schindler turn over Q♣9♣. Tong revealed A♦9♠ for a better kicker to claim the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,300,000
800,000
|
800,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,500,000
800,000
|
800,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Limit Hold'em
Kristopher Tong raised on the button, Maximilian Schindler reraised, and Tong called.
The flop came A♣7♥5♦ and Schindler bet. Tong called and the 8♥ fell on the turn.
Schindler then bet, but this time Tong came back with a raise. Schindler called and the river was the 9♥.
Tong then bet and Schindler raised, leaving himself around 200,000. Tong quickly called.
"Hearts," Schindler said, slamming down K♥10♥ for a rivered flush.
"This is the sickest hand ever," Tong replied as he flashed A♦A♥ for top set before handing over the massive pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,500,000
2,100,000
|
2,100,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
4,300,000
2,100,000
|
2,100,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Hi-Lo
Kristopher Tong: XxXx / 10♦2♣8♦8♥ / Xx
Maximilian Schindler: XxXx / 6♦5♥6♠K♦ / Xx
Kristopher Tong checked on fourth street, calling a bet from Maximilian Schindler. Fifth street saw Schindler lead out with another bet, and Tong made the call.
Both players checked through sixth street before Tong led out with a bet on seventh. Schindler did not take long to fold, as Tong increased his lead.
"I was trapping," said Tong as he collected the chips.
"Tens up?" asked Schindler.
"Tens full," answered Tong with a smile.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
9,600,000
1,600,000
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
2,200,000
1,600,000
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
||
Level 28
: Limits 100,000/200,000, 200,000 ante
Limit Flop: 100,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000 Limits
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Stud Games: 50,000-200,000, 200,000-400,000, 50,000 Ante
Limit Hold'em
Maximilian Schindler raised on the button, Kristopher Tong reraised, and Schindler called.
Tong bet on the K♠Q♠2♠ flop and Schindler folded.
Schindler then raised on the button again and Tong called. The flop came A♥Q♣4♦ and Schindler continued with a bet. Tong then raised and Schindler folded.
The next hand, Tong raised on the button and Schindler called. The flop came Q♥9♦9♥ and Tong bet. Schindler then raised and Tong called.
The turn was the 9♠ and Schindler bet. Tong called to the 10♠ river, where Schindler bet again. Tong called.
"You're good," Schindler told him as Tong turned over A♦6♣ to win the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
8,000,000
2,200,000
|
2,200,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,800,000
2,200,000
|
2,200,000 |
|
|
||
