Fabian Riebau-Schmithals earned $413,762 for second place at WSOP 2025. The German PLO specialist reached heads-up play in Event #5. He fell short against Caleb Furth in the final battle.
The $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament drew 757 entries. Prize pool totaled $3,482,200 across three days of play. Furth claimed his second WSOP bracelet plus $620,696 for first place.
Riebau-Schmithals dominated the final table with commanding chip leads. The former PLOMastermind coach eliminated multiple opponents before heads-up play. Martin Kabrhel from Czech Republic finished third for $288,775.
Furth’s victory came after an incredible comeback story. He was down to one big blind during Day 3. The American player rebuilt his stack completely to win the event.
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Strong field demonstrates PLO popularity
The $5,000 PLO tournament outpaced similar NLHE events this series. Event #3 (NLHE) attracted only 693 players at identical buy-in. PLO continues gaining ground among serious tournament players.
Tournament action spread across Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas floors. Players competed for 114 paid positions from the 757-entry field.
Chip lead carries through final table
Riebau-Schmithals held one-third of chips entering final table play. His systematic approach eliminated opponents methodically. The former coach maintained pressure on short stacks.
Key eliminations:
- 4th place: Matthew Cosentino ($204,808)
- 5th place: Mark Aridgides ($147,647)
- 6th place: Noel Rodriguez ($108,221)
- Jeremy Trojand (7th place – $80,673)
- Lawrence Brandt (8th place – $61,179)
- Multiple opponents during middle stages
Martin Kabrhel joined the final three alongside Riebau-Schmithals and Furth. The Czech player’s elimination set up heads-up play.
Heads-up battle shifts momentum
Riebau-Schmithals entered heads-up as favorite after dominating play. Furth started the duel from behind but gained ground quickly.
The momentum shift proved decisive in the final confrontation. Furth completed his comeback after being extremely short-stacked earlier.
Chip advantage creates final table dominance
Riebau-Schmithals entered with 11,900,000 chips (99 big blinds). Jeremy Trojand held second place with 6,700,000 chips. The gap widened as play continued.
Six players remained when Riebau-Schmithals reached 25,000,000 chips. The next largest stack sat below 4,000,000 chips. Short stacks faced difficult decisions with pay jump pressure.
Riebau-Schmithals eliminated Trojand in seventh place. The blind-versus-blind confrontation secured his chip lead. Fellow German player departed with significant payout.
Critical river bluff forces Furth to fold
Heads-up play produced several pivotal confrontations. One key hand occurred on a paired board. The 9♠5♥6♥8♦ turn saw Riebau-Schmithals call Furth’s 2,500,000 bet.
River brought the 6♠. Furth bet 5,900,000 into the paired board. Riebau-Schmithals responded with an all-in shove. Furth folded immediately.
The strategic river bluff demonstrated precise timing. Riebau-Schmithals created momentum shift with the play. Position and board texture favored the aggressive line.
Trip deuces hand reverses chip positions
Heads-up began with Furth holding 17,150,000 versus 14,700,000. Riebau-Schmithals quickly seized control early. A massive pot without showdown gave him 26,100,000 chips.
Furth held just 8,800,000 chips after the hand. The tide turned on the trip deuces confrontation. Furth’s trips beat Riebau-Schmithals’ pocket aces.
Chip counts reversed to 26,800,000 versus 11,700,000. Furth gained commanding advantage from the double-up. Momentum shifted completely to the American player.
Final hand ended Riebau-Schmithals’ run. He shoved A♠9♣6♠2♦ against Furth’s 8♠6♥6♣4♥. Board came 8♣3♦5♠2♠ with straight and flush draws. River J♣ missed all outs.
What Made This Run Special for Fabian Riebau
Riebau-Schmithals showcased elite PLO skills throughout WSOP 2025. His runner-up finish highlights years of dedicated study. The German specialist proved his tournament mettle against world-class competition.
Career Milestone Achievement
The $5,000 PLO event marked Riebau-Schmithals’ second WSOP final table. His performance boosted total live earnings to $828,645. This achievement placed him 91st on Germany’s all-time money list.
Coaching Background Advantage
Riebau-Schmithals brought extensive theoretical knowledge from his coaching days. His instructional background showed at the final table. He built dominant chip positions exceeding 25 million chips.
This expertise gave him edges against less specialized opponents. European high-stakes regulars recognized his technical proficiency. His disciplined style contrasted sharply with tournament volatility.
Player Perspective on Performance
Riebau-Schmithals maintained composure under intense pressure. He acknowledged his psychological advantages at the final table. “The short stacks were all vying for massive pay jumps, which made my position extremely advantageous“.
His post-tournament reflection showed realistic assessment: “The momentum shifted after that key hand with the trip deuces. Sometimes in PLO, you can play perfectly and still end up second.“
Unlike Furth’s wild swings—down to one 100,000 chip with 80,000 big blind—Riebau-Schmithals accumulated chips steadily. This consistency defines his disciplined playing approach.
Final Table Featured Controversial Drama and Big Payouts
Martin Kabrhel created significant controversy during the final table action. The Czech player’s slow play tactics frustrated opponents throughout the event. Tournament officials reduced his decision time to 10 seconds per action.
Kabrhel finished third for $288,775 after losing to Furth’s pocket tens. His constant table chatter irritated multiple players during the tournament. Aaron Mermelstein described Kabrhel’s tactics as “calculated” with strategic purpose.
Complete Final Table Results
- Caleb “Bruno” Furth (USA) – $620,696
- Fabian Riebau-Schmithals (Germany) – $413,762
- Martin Kabrhel (Czech Republic) – $288,775
- Matthew Cosentino (USA) – $204,808
- Mark Aridgides (USA) – $147,647
- Noel Rodriguez (USA) – $108,221
- Jeremy Trojand (Germany) – $80,673
- Lawrence Brandt (USA) – $61,179
Day 3 Action Before Final Table
Day 3 started with 11 players remaining. Roussos Koliakoudakis from Greece shared the chip lead with Kabrhel at 4,510,000 chips each. Riebau-Schmithals sat third with 4,200,000 chips.
Ryan Riess entered Day 3 as the short stack with 650,000 chips. The former Main Event champion became the final elimination before the official final table.
Furth’s comeback remains the most remarkable storyline. He was down to 1.25 big blinds during Day 3 play. The American rebuilt his stack completely to claim victory.
The heads-up battle concluded quickly after Kabrhel’s elimination. Furth and Riebau-Schmithals settled the tournament without extended play.
Riebau-Schmithals Adds Another Strong WSOP Result
Fabian Riebau-Schmithals finished second in Event #5 for his best WSOP cash. The German player demonstrated solid PLO fundamentals throughout three days. His final table performance reinforced his reputation among elite PLO players.
Furth’s comeback from 1.25 big blinds shows PLO’s variance. Momentum shifts happen quickly in four-card games. Riebau-Schmithals played steady poker but couldn’t close out the victory.
The former PLOMastermind coach now has multiple deep WSOP runs. His technical approach works against world-class competition. Future PLO events at the 2025 series offer more bracelet opportunities.
This result moves Riebau-Schmithals up Germany’s all-time money list. His methodical style suits tournament poker’s pay jump structure. PLO specialists like him continue finding success at the WSOP.
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FAQs
How many WSOP bracelets does Fabian Riebau-Schmithals have?
Fabian Riebau-Schmithals does not currently have a WSOP bracelet. He finished as the runner-up in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament at the 2025 WSOP.
What was the prize pool for the $5,000 PLO event at WSOP 2025?
The $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha tournament at WSOP 2025 generated a prize pool of $3,482,200, with 757 players entering the event.
Who won the $5,000 PLO event at WSOP 2025?
Caleb “Bruno” Furth won the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at WSOP 2025, claiming his second WSOP bracelet and the top prize of $620,696.
What was notable about Martin Kabrhel’s play during the tournament?
Martin Kabrhel’s play during the tournament was controversial due to his slow play tactics. Tournament officials had to implement measures against his deliberate stalling, reducing his decision time to just 10 seconds per action.
What was Fabian Riebau-Schmithals’ background in poker before this tournament? Fabian Riebau-Schmithals was a former PLOMastermind coach and is known as a high-stakes regular in European poker circles. He is considered an elite PLO specialist with extensive theoretical knowledge of the game.
