Dennis Weiss Triumphs in WSOP Event #51: $25K High Roller PLO
Dennis Weiss has claimed victory in Event #51: $25,000 High Roller Pot-Limit Omaha at the 2025 World Series of Poker, taking home a career-best $2,292,155 and his second WSOP bracelet. The German pro outlasted a stacked field of 489 entries at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, where the prize pool soared past $11.4 million.
Weiss secured the title after an intense heads-up battle with American pro Michael Duek, capping off a final table that included legends like Phil Ivey, who finished in sixth place. With this win, Weiss solidifies his place as one of the rising stars of the tournament poker scene.
From Cash Games to WSOP Stardom
In a post-win interview, Weiss expressed surprise at his success. “The WSOP tournaments in Europe don’t have as many people. But the players in Rozvadov played amazing, and my opponents here played amazing; I’m just a lucky boy, I guess. I haven’t been playing tournaments for very long. It’s kind of ridiculous that I’ve already won two of these. I was a cash game player; that was the plan, but I guess I’m a tournament player.”
This victory follows his 2024 win at the World Series of Poker Europe in the €5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, where he collected his first bracelet and $178,538.
Final Table Results – Event #51: $25,000 PLO High Roller
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Dennis Weiss (Germany) – $2,292,155
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Michael Duek (United States) – $1,528,077
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Jeffrey Hakim (United States) – $1,062,669
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Evan Krentzman (United States) – $751,149
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Talal Shakerchi (United Kingdom) – $539,817
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Phil Ivey (United States) – $394,531
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Najeem Ajez (Australia) – $293,329
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Lautaro Guerra (Spain) – $221,920
Final Table Highlights
Weiss entered the final table as chip leader with 109 big blinds, significantly ahead of second-place Phil Ivey’s 87. The action started quickly as Lautaro Guerra became the first casualty. Guerra moved all-in preflop with pocket queens but couldn’t hold against Duek’s A♣J♣8♠7♠ as the board gave Duek top pair.
Najeem Ajez followed in seventh after clashing with Weiss, who flopped strong and turned a straight. Phil Ivey’s deep run ended in sixth after his flopped set of fours was cracked by Duek’s runner-runner flush.
Day 4 saw Talal Shakerchi eliminated early after getting it in with trips against Weiss’s flush draw, which completed on the river. Evan Krentzman’s journey ended in fourth after calling a big river shove from Duek, who had turned a set.
In third place, Jeffrey Hakim lost a massive flip to Weiss. Hakim held suited high cards and connectors, but Weiss’s pocket aces turned into a full house on the river, sending Hakim out with over a million dollars.
Heads-Up Showdown: Weiss vs. Duek
Dennis Weiss started heads-up play with nearly a 2:1 chip lead over Michael Duek. After nearly an hour of careful maneuvering, the pivotal hand played out. Duek limped, called a raise, and saw a flop of K♠10♣9♥. Weiss bet, Duek called, and the turn changed momentum briefly.
Weiss held A♦K♦6♠5♣, while Duek had Q♥10♥4♦3♣. The turn 4♣ gave Duek two pair, but the river 9♣ paired the board and gave Weiss the winning hand — kings and nines with an ace kicker — sealing the win.
What Is Pot-Limit Omaha?
Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is a popular variant of poker where each player is dealt four hole cards instead of two, as in Texas Hold’em. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards and three community cards to make the best five-card hand.
The “pot-limit” betting structure means players can only bet up to the current size of the pot, which encourages strategic aggression and more frequent action. PLO is known for its high variance, deep strategy, and explosive hand potential — factors that make it a favorite among seasoned pros and high-stakes gamblers.
Dennis Weiss: A New Force in the PLO World
Weiss’s victory adds a significant chapter to the growing narrative of European dominance in Pot-Limit Omaha. Known primarily as a cash game specialist, his transition to the tournament circuit has been nothing short of remarkable.
With two bracelets in under two years and over $2.4 million in WSOP earnings, the German pro has shown that he’s more than capable of handling the heat in high-roller tournament play. His calculated aggression, PLO expertise, and calm under pressure could make him a mainstay at future WSOP final tables.
Conclusion
Dennis Weiss’s triumph in the $25K High Roller PLO event not only brings him a career-defining payday but also solidifies his reputation as one of the most exciting new tournament players on the WSOP circuit. As the series progresses, fans and players alike will be watching closely to see if Weiss can continue his rapid rise in the poker world.
