Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Day 3 Completed
2025 World Series of Poker
Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em
Day: 3
Event Info
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 3
2025 World Series of Poker
Buy-in
$1,500
Prize Pool
$3,124,935
Entries
2,354
Level
35
Blinds
250,000 / 500,000
Ante
500,000
Entries
11
Players Left
1
Level 35
: Blinds 250,000/500,000, 500,000 ante
Three years ago, Christopher Staats won his maiden bracelet in the 2022 WSOP Online $3,200 NLH High Roller 6-Max. Today, he adorned his wrist with his second piece of gold after claiming victory in Event #13: $1,500 6-Handed No-Limit Hold’em at the 2025 World Series of Poker.
The popular short-handed format attracted 2,354 entries, with only 11 players returning on Day 3 at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas to battle it out for the $414,950 up top. After flying under the radar for most of the day, Staats closed out the tournament by defeating David Jackson to capture the lion’s share of the $3,124,935 prize pool.
Staats had nothing but praise and respect for his formidable opponent following the back-and-forth heads-up match. "David Jackson is an awesome player that I've respected a lot for a long time and couldn't have had a better person to battle with."
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Christopher Staats | United States | $414,950 |
| 2 | David Jackson | United States | $276,562 |
| 3 | Shundan Xiao | China | $197,869 |
| 4 | Damarjai Davenport | United States | $143,206 |
| 5 | Eshaan Bhalla | United States | $104,858 |
| 6 | Oscar Johansson | Sweden | $77,688 |
Taking a Step Back
When asked how he was feeling following his career-best score, there were two words that came to mind - "overwhelmed and happy." He followed up by explaining that his "brother made it just in time for the heads-up match" and that "it was really important to have him here."
He went on to explain that just three months ago he didn't even think he would be out here at the WSOP this year.
"I left here last summer (after) traveling 15 years. I just took a break, got a job in a warehouse, waking up at 3:30 a.m. for six months and I just needed to check out. I don't think people understand how much putting into this game involves traveling away from your family and your kids to get at the highest level. You sacrifice a lot."
Regarding the decision to travel to the desert and knowing that he was ready, Staats explained:
"Like I said, I was working in a warehouse. I thought I would take the summer off and I think that just ignited the fire and the fun and the love I have for the game. When I was working that job, I just felt like I was losing my identity. All my skill sets are wrapped around this game and it just really felt like I needed to be in this space. I really felt coming into the summer like this was going to be special."
Family and Faith
In terms of reclaiming his identity and getting back in the action, Staats talked about how poker has always had a huge impact on his life, even when he was much younger playing the game with both of his grandmothers. He continued by mentioning his kids.
"They're the greatest gift. I've had that fire and that passion for this game and chasing it, really thinking that I could use this game to do better for my kids. At the end of the day I do it for them. I do it so I can have freedom and independence that you can't get anywhere else. They're my driving force to why I do it."
He also went on talk about his faith and the importance of staying present and grounded.
"I fought sobriety and I'm now sober for two years. I was lost and Jesus found me in a parking lot of the casino and changed my life. I give him all the glory, honor, and praise. I'm just grateful and thankful."
Eyes on the $25,000 6-Handed
When asked about his plans for the rest of the summer, Staats replied, "I can't wait to get back home to my kids. I might play one more event and the 25k 6-Max is the one I got my eyes on. I may just run it, and then I'm gonna go home and be with the kids and do some summer stuff. Then I'll be back out here before the Main [Event]."
Be sure to follow PokerNews throughout the 2025 WSOP to stay up to date with all future event coverage.
Level 35
: Blinds 250,000/500,000, 500,000 ante
David Jackson raised to 1,000,000 on the button with J♣6♣, Christopher Staats called in the big blind with 9♦7♠.
Jackson bet 600,000 on a flop of J♠7♥7♣, but Staats decided to raise to 1,900,000, Jackson called. Staats continued his aggression when the 10♠ hit the turn for 3,600,000, Jackson called again.
Staats with no hesitation announced "all in" for 14,275,000 effective on the 5♦ river, Jackson went deep into the tank before he called and got shown the bad news.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
59,000,000
21,000,000
|
21,000,000 |
|
||
|
Busted | |
|
|
||
Level 35
: Blinds 250,000/500,000, 500,000 ante
Christopher Staats raised on the button to 1,750,000, David Jackson three-bet to 4,700,000 in the big blind, Staats moved all in for 18,750,000, Jackson called.
Christopher Staats: 10♥10♦ 
David Jackson: K♠Q♣
The board ran out 3♦A♠A♥5♦2♦ and Staats took the chip lead.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
38,000,000
16,850,000
|
16,850,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
20,775,000
16,850,000
|
16,850,000 |
|
|
||
Level 35
: Blinds 250,000/500,000, 500,000 ante
David Jackson raised to 1,000,000 on the button with 6♣5♠, Christopher Staats called in the big blind with Q♦J♥.
Action checked on a flop of 9♣8♥10♥, Jackson bet 1,500,000 when the Q♠ hit the turn, Staats called again.
Staats decided to lead for 1,500,000 when the 7♣ was dealt on the river and to his surprise got raised by Jackson to 4,700,000. Staats called and scooped this huge pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
37,625,000
7,375,000
|
7,375,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
21,150,000
7,450,000
|
7,450,000 |
|
|
||
Level: 35
Blinds: 250,000/500,000
Ante: 500,000
Level 34
: Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante
David Jackson raised on the button to 800,000 with 9♣8♥, Christopher Staats three-bet to 2,800,000 from the big blind with Q♦Q♣, Jackson called.
Staats fired out a bet of 2,000,000 on a flop of 7♦A♥5♦, Jackson called. The 4♥ on the turn slowed the action down and it went check-check.
Staats checked to Jackson when the 6♠ hit the river and Jackson decided to move all in for 14,000,000 effective. Staats folded.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
45,000,000
2,025,000
|
2,025,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
13,700,000
2,100,000
|
2,100,000 |
|
|
||
Level 34
: Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante
Christopher Staats limped on the button with 9♦4♦ and David Jackson checked in the big blind with 10♠5♦.
The flop came 7♦J♠8♦ and Jackson check-called a bet of 600,000 from Staats.
The turn landed the 10♦ Jackson checked again. Staats fired out a bet of 1,200,000 and Jackson made the call.
On the Q♠ river, Jackson check-folded to Staats' bet of 2,000,000.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
42,975,000
600,000
|
600,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
15,800,000
600,000
|
600,000 |
|
|
||
Level 34
: Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante
Christopher Staats called on the button with 8♠6♠, David Jackson checked in the big blind with J♦9♦.
Staats bet 1,000,000 when checked to on a flop of 6♦K♦8♦, Jackson decided to raise to 2,600,000, Staats announced "all in" for 7,600,000, Jackson snap called.
A brutal turn for Jackson in the 6♥, Staats doubled his stack with this pot. The 5♣ completed the board.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
42,375,000
3,200,000
|
3,200,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
16,400,000
3,200,000
|
3,200,000 |
|
|
||
Level 34
: Blinds 200,000/400,000, 400,000 ante
David Jackson moved all in from the small blind to put Shundan Xiao at risk, who made the call in the big blind.
Shundan Xiao: A♣8♦
David Jackson: J♥9♥
It was a fair fight, and Xiao remained in the lead on the Q♥Q♠Q♦ flop with ace-high. That was until the turn landed the 9♣, improving Jackson to a full house.
The J♠ rolled off on the river and Xiao's impressive tournament run came to an end.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
45,575,000
10,575,000
|
10,575,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
13,200,000
1,400,000
|
1,400,000 |
|
|
||
|
Busted | |
