Justin Fawcett Wins $600 Ultra Stack at WSOP 2025 for Career-Best $355,110
The 2025 World Series of Poker Event #85: $600 No-Limit Hold’em Ultra Stack proved once again why it’s one of the most exciting events on the schedule. With an affordable buy-in, a massive turnout, and a life-changing prize pool, the event delivered on all fronts—and this year, it was longtime grinder Justin Fawcett who walked away with his first WSOP gold bracelet and $355,110.
Hosted at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, the tournament attracted 7,057 entries and created a prize pool of $3,556,728. After three intense days of action, Fawcett defeated Vietnam’s Thai Dinh in heads-up play to seal his biggest career win.
“I’ve been playing poker for 20 years. It’s everyone’s dream to win a bracelet,” Fawcett told PokerNews. “I had a lot of friends who believed in me and kept telling me this was my year, and I’m grateful to everyone who supported me along the way.”
Fawcett also revealed that a more disciplined approach to his schedule this summer played a key role in his deep run. “I feel like I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the past and have been able to make a few adjustments. I’m trying to be more disciplined with what I play and focus on events that suit my strengths.”
[Justin Fawcett]
$600 Ultra Stack Final Table Results
1. Justin Fawcett – United States – $355,110
2. Thai Dinh – Vietnam – $236,740
3. Zhengyu Guan – United States – $176,620
4. Delano Jackson – United States – $132,710
5. Eric Rabelas – United States – $100,450
6. Blake Napierala – United States – $76,620
7. Riku Mieda – Japan – $58,890
8. Kirk Staples – United States – $45,620
9. Eric Dillon – United States – $35,610
Final Table Highlights
Day 3 began with aggressive play as eliminations came quickly. The final table was locked in after Keegan Ripp’s ten-nine suited lost a showdown to Delano Jackson’s king-nine.
Eric Dillon was the first player out at the final table, falling in ninth place after a wild three-way all-in. Everyone flopped a set, but Thai Dinh’s pocket eights held against Blake Napierala’s sevens and Dillon’s fours. Dillon earned $35,610 for his finish.
The action continued at a fast pace with Riku Mieda, Kirk Staples, and Napierala eliminated in quick succession. With each bustout, Fawcett and Dinh began to distance themselves from the rest of the field.
A pivotal moment occurred during three-handed play. Zhengyu Guan three-bet preflop, only to face a shove from Fawcett. Guan tank-folded pocket jacks face-up, a move that handed Fawcett the chip lead for good.
“I had kings there,” Fawcett revealed. “But I didn’t want to show. I like keeping people guessing whether they made the right fold.”
Guan was eliminated shortly after in third place, taking home $176,620.
[Zhengyu Guan]
Heads-Up: Fawcett vs. Dinh
Despite starting with a large chip deficit, Thai Dinh wasn’t ready to concede. He pulled off a well-timed bluff to momentarily swing momentum in his favor, but Fawcett stayed calm and composed.
“I’ve got a lot of experience playing long hours,” Fawcett explained. “The long tournament days don’t wear me down as much. I also don’t eat during the day—I think that helps keep my energy up, especially at the end.”
Eventually, Fawcett regained control, closed out the match, and lifted the bracelet he had been chasing for two decades.
“It’s easy, after a big score like this, to start firing bigger tournaments and before you know it, the money is gone,” he said. “I don’t play full time, and the series is almost over, so we’ll see.”
Regardless of what comes next, Justin Fawcett has earned his place in WSOP history. His victory in the $600 Ultra Stack is yet another reminder of how accessible poker’s biggest stage can be for players chasing their dream.
[Thai Dinh]
