2025 WSOP: David “ODB” Baker Clinches Fourth Bracelet in $5,000 Seniors High Roller
The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) continues to thrill at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, with Event #40: $5,000 Seniors High Roller delivering a dramatic finale that stretched into an unscheduled Day 4. The event attracted 801 seasoned poker veterans, building an impressive prize pool of $3,684,600.
David “ODB” Baker emerged victorious after four days of intense action, securing his fourth career WSOP bracelet and the $646,845 top prize. This win marks Baker’s first bracelet in No-Limit Hold’em, adding to his previous titles in mixed games.
A Career Milestone for David “ODB” Baker
Baker’s journey to this win began over a decade ago. His first bracelet came in 2012 in the $2,500 8-Game Mix, followed by two more in 2019 ($1,500 Limit Hold’em) and 2023 ($1,500 Razz). With this latest victory, he now holds bracelets in four different poker variants and has surpassed $8.3 million in live tournament earnings.
The final showdown saw him defeat China’s Chuanshu Chen, who earned $431,173 – by far the largest score of his poker career. Prior to this, Chen’s total live tournament earnings had not eclipsed the $300,000 mark.
Also making the final table was WSOP veteran and bracelet holder John Esposito, who finished in seventh place for $85,244.
2025 WSOP Event #40: $5,000 Seniors High Roller – Final Table Results
Place: 1
Player: David “ODB” Baker
Country: United States
Prize: $646,845
Place: 2
Player: Chuanshu Chen
Country: China
Prize: $431,173
Place: 3
Player: Carmino Argiero
Country: United States
Prize: $302,208
Place: 4
Player: Ron West
Country: United States
Prize: $215,095
Place: 5
Player: Peter Kiem
Country: United States
Prize: $155,498
Place: 6
Player: Ramana Epparla
Country: United States
Prize: $114,208
Place: 7
Player: John Esposito
Country: United States
Prize: $85,244
Place: 8
Player: Stephen Bierman
Country: United States
Prize: $64,674
Place: 9
Player: Joseph Mole
Country: United States
Prize: $49,891
Final Day Highlights
Day 3 concluded with four players remaining, prompting a bonus Day 4. David Baker entered the final day with the chip lead, followed closely by Chuanshu Chen and Carmino Argiero. Ron West brought up the rear as the short stack.
Chen quickly made his presence felt, waking up with pocket aces on the very first hand and avoiding a collision with Argiero’s pocket kings. Moments later, he eliminated Ron West, turning a straight against West’s king-high shove.
As the field narrowed to three, Argiero fought back with multiple double-ups, including a dramatic hand where his ace-eight outdrew Baker’s ace-jack. However, the tide turned when he clashed with Baker again — his pocket kings were cracked by Baker’s pocket sixes, which turned into quads. Argiero busted in third place, earning $302,208.
Heads-Up Showdown: Baker vs. Chen
The final duel began with Chen holding a slight chip advantage, but Baker soon turned the tables. He built a 2:1 lead and then a 3:1 lead after extracting maximum value from a straight. The final hand saw Baker limp with ace-three and call Chen’s shove with king-ten. The board ran out 7♦ 3♣ A♠ Q♦ 6♥, sealing Baker’s victory.
With this win, David “ODB” Baker adds another chapter to his decorated poker legacy. His fourth bracelet and a six-figure payout further solidify his status as one of the most versatile and accomplished players in WSOP history.
Tournament Format: $5,000 Seniors High Roller at the 2025 WSOP
Event #40: $5,000 Seniors High Roller is a No-Limit Hold’em tournament exclusively open to players aged 50 and above. The buy-in was set at $5,000, attracting a highly competitive and experienced field of senior players.
This event was played in a freezeout format, meaning each player was allowed only one entry—no re-entries were permitted. Participants began with a deep starting stack, and blind levels increased every 60 minutes, encouraging thoughtful, strategic play over pure aggression.
The combination of a high buy-in and the age restriction created a prestigious field of seasoned professionals and recreational veterans. In 2025, the event drew 801 entries and generated a prize pool of $3,684,600, making it one of the standout senior events of the series.
