Richard Gryko, the accomplished British poker pro and Run It Once coach, has emerged as the chip leader after Day 3 of the 2025 WSOP Event #96: $3,000 Pot Limit Omaha. With a commanding stack of 15,625,000 chips, Gryko is poised to capture his second WSOP bracelet in Omaha variants this series, further cementing his reputation as one of the premier PLO specialists in the game.
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Day 3 Recap: Gryko’s Impressive Comeback and the Volatility of PLO
Richard Gryko’s journey to the top of the chip counts was anything but straightforward. Entering Day 2 with just 516,000 chips, he orchestrated one of the tournament’s most impressive comebacks, methodically building his stack from 3,060,000 when 21 players remained. The day began with an average stack of 50 big blinds, and the slow pace of eliminations allowed skilled players like Gryko to pick their spots carefully, rather than being forced into marginal situations.
The volatility of Pot-Limit Omaha was on full display, especially during five-handed play, which featured an unusual sequence of five consecutive all-in confrontations where the short stack survived each time. Bulgarian player Fahredin Mustafov even joked about chip dumping, but Gryko maintained his composure and focus throughout these tense moments.
Already boasting a seven-figure Omaha score earlier in this World Series, Richard Gryko’s deep understanding of the variant has made him the clear favorite as play heads into the unscheduled Day 4. His chip advantage gives him an excellent shot at adding another bracelet to his collection.
Key Eliminations Shape Final Table Dynamics
Day 3 began with swift departures. Chino Rheem became the first casualty after one hand. JC Tran followed shortly after. The field narrowed gradually through three full levels. Yasheel Doddanavar’s exit marked the two-table stage. Fabien Motte and Cuba Levenberry each collected $33,311. Brad Albrinck missed the final table. Ryan Leng’s Omaha experience wasn’t enough for the official six-handed final. Several notable players had exited earlier.
The official final table moved cautiously for two hours. Jeremy Ausmus departed sixth ($78,504) when kings lost to Zachary Schwartz’s aces. Five-to-four play proved slow. Five consecutive all-in confrontations resulted in short stack survivals. This streak prompted Fahredin Mustafov to joke about chip dumping.
Mustafov became the next casualty in fifth ($108,231). His turned boat lost to Richard Gryko’s rivered higher full house. This elimination solidified Gryko’s chip advantage.
Four players remain. The two bracelet winners—Gryko and Daniel Zack—both specialize in Omaha. Extended play and multiple short stack survivals show how unpredictable the final stages might prove. They battle for the $471,170 top prize.
Final Four Prepare for Unscheduled Day 4 Showdown
Day 3 concluded without a champion. Tournament officials scheduled a fourth day of play after action failed to reach heads-up. The remaining four players return Wednesday, July 16, at 1:00 p.m. local time.
Play resumes at the Horseshoe Event Center with these chip counts:
- Richard Gryko: 15,625,000 (39 big blinds)
- Daniel Zack: 13,250,000 (33 big blinds)
- Joshua Ladines: 7,825,000 (19 big blinds) – Day 1 chip leader
- Zachary Schwartz: 6,825,000 (17 big blinds)
What’s at stake: prize pool and payouts
The $2,904,960 prize pool from 1,088 entries creates substantial rewards for final table finishers. Four players compete for these remaining prizes:
| Position | Prize |
| 1st Place | $471,170 |
| 2nd Place | $314,056 |
| 3rd Place | $216,539 |
| 4th Place | $151,802 |
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FAQs
Winning a WSOP bracelet is considered one of the highest achievements in poker. It not only comes with substantial prize money but also represents a player’s skill and prestige in the poker world. The WSOP Main Event bracelet, in particular, is incredibly valuable, containing precious metals and gems worth up to $500,000.
Richard Gryko, a Run It Once poker coach, is currently leading the $3,000 WSOP PLO Event with 15,625,000 chips. He’s followed closely by Daniel Zack, the 2022 WSOP Player of the Year, who holds 13,250,000 chips.
The tournament has narrowed down to just four players who will return for an unscheduled Day 4. These final four will compete for the top prize of $471,170 and the coveted WSOP gold bracelet.
The total prize pool for the WSOP Event #96: $3,000 Pot-Limit Omaha is $2,904,960. This substantial amount was generated from the 1,088 entries in the tournament.
Pot-Limit Omaha is a poker variant where players are dealt four hole cards instead of two, as in Texas Hold’em. Players must use exactly two of their hole cards along with three community cards to make their best hand. The “pot-limit” aspect means that the maximum bet size is the current size of the pot, making for potentially larger and more strategic betting rounds.
