Carlos Leiva captured his first WSOP bracelet at the 2025 World Series of Poker. The Argentinian pro earned $237,852 for winning WSOP Event #42, the $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event. The tournament drew 1,932 entries and reached a prize pool of $1,769,712.
This victory represents Leiva’s second-largest career score. His tournament earnings now exceed $1.1 million. His previous best result of $440,000 came from his win at the 2023 Enjoy Poker Tour in Punta del Este, Uruguay.
What made Carlos Leiva’s WSOP 2025 win so dominant?
Chip advantage entering final day
Leiva built his lead during earlier tournament stages. Third-place player Jason Gray held just 38 big blinds. This created exceptional strategic flexibility for Leiva.
Dylan Weisman, one of the best PLO experts, observed Leiva’s position: “With that kind of chip advantage, he could apply pressure without risking his tournament life. That’s a luxury most players never experience at a WSOP final table.”
Strategic plays that built momentum
Leiva dominated the final table from start to finish. He executed a three-barrel bluff against four-time bracelet winner Eric Buchman. Buchman folded the better hand. This play added 30% to Leiva’s stack.
Leiva exploited ICM pressure against shorter stacks consistently. His positional aggression accumulated chips while minimizing variance. He forced difficult decisions without revealing his holdings.
Poker analyst Jonathan Little noted: “What made Leiva’s run so impressive wasn’t just the win but how he got there. He didn’t need to hit miracle cards or get lucky in all-ins. He simply outplayed everyone at every stage.“
How the $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha final table unfolded
Seven players returned for the final day of Event #42. Carlos Leiva held the only stack over 100 big blinds. Brian McKain entered with 25 big blinds but remained competitive.
Key hands that shifted momentum
Florian Ribouchon attempted an early bluff against Leiva. Leiva picked up the bluff perfectly. This hand gave Leiva control of more than half the chips.
McKain’s set of threes faced Leiva’s flopped straight during three-handed play. McKain couldn’t improve. This cooler ended McKain’s run after multiple earlier doubles.
The tournament’s decisive hand featured competing straights. Nikzad held a straight draw and flush draw. Nikzad hit his straight but Leiva made a higher one. Leiva’s supporters erupted when the final card fell.
His PLO tournament entry was a spontaneous decision. No-Limit Hold’em remains Leiva’s primary specialization. He entered the PLO event on impulse.
Argentine Poker Community Rallies Behind Champion
Leiva’s victory represents more than individual success. Fellow Argentines provided unwavering support throughout his run.
Several supporters skipped their own tournaments to watch. This sacrifice demonstrates the tight bonds within Argentina’s poker community.
Leiva credited this support system after his victory. Argentines at the WSOP form an exceptionally close group. They rally behind compatriots competing for major titles.
This creates a home-field advantage in Las Vegas. The collective energy helps players perform under pressure.
WSOP Event #42: $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed
Event #42 attracted 1,932 entries at the 2025 WSOP. Prize pool reached $1,769,712.
The tournament ran for two days. Structure featured 8-handed play starting June 13. Players received 20,000 starting chips. Levels lasted 40 minutes.
Final Table Payouts
- Carlos Leiva (Argentina) – $237,852
- Hooman Nikzad (United States) – $158,481
- Brian McKain (United States) – $114,399
- Dylan Weisman (United States) – $83,503
- Kyle Rosnes (Canada) – $61,641
- Joshua Palmer (United States) – $46,024
- Florian Ribouchon (France) – $34,761
- Eric Buchman (United States) – $26,562
Image: PokerNews
