WPT® Player of the Year 2025: Rankings, Leaders & Race Breakdown

Why the WPT® Player of the Year Race Matters

The WPT® Player of the Year title is won based on a points system that rewards consistent deep runs across events such as the Main Tour and WPT® Prime. 

Points increase with buy-in size and field strength, which gives you a clear sense of which players have delivered the strongest season performances overall.

Past POY winners have gone on to secure major sponsorships and global recognition. Winning this coveted trophy dramatically enhances your career resume, draws media attention, and improves your status among poker peers.

The 2025 race reflects a season defined by tighter margins, larger fields, and more international representation than ever before. It has shown an especially strong depth of field with multiple international winners and some incredible major title shifts, making this year one of the most contested editions in recent POY memory.

For the official, real-time leaderboard, visit our Player of the Year page.

Current Leaders: Top Contenders in the 2025 POY Race

Here are your top 5 players in the POY standings for 2025 so far:

1. Harvey Castro: 1,850 points
   With a $411,320 in cashes, four recorded cashes, and one final table, Castro is currently the league leader. His strong run in major fields has given him a small cushion, but this lead remains vulnerable given the remaining schedule.
2. Art Peacock: 1,425 points
   Peacock has earned $806,500 in live WPT® earnings so far, with two cashes, one final table, and one tour title on his record. He’s gone from emerging contender to making a major splash and is now the closest rival to mount a serious challenge.
3. Mike Vanier: 1,325 points
   Vanier has three cashes, one final table, and one title to his name in the POY race so far. He has collected $385,700 in earnings. He’s shown he can close tables and win showdowns, but he will need deep runs in the remaining events to track down the leader.
4. Nico Betbese: 1,300 points
   With one title and one final table plus $706,960 in earnings, Betbese is also firmly in contention to take the crown. He gets big scores in fewer events, positioning himself to leapfrog the leader with one major win.
5. Artem Vezhenkov & Ilia Kitsbabashvili: 1,100 points each
   Both players have one title and one final table this year, with Vezhenkov earning $390,650 and Kitsbabashvili $401,100. These players are both outside the top 4, but still very much within striking distance as the season nears its climax.

Because official WPT® POY point totals are subject to updates, you should check the live leaderboard on WPT.com for the most current standings.

Key Storylines to Watch

You’re currently watching one of the most dynamic WPT® Player of the Year races in recent seasons, and the storylines behind the standings have made the leaderboard so exciting to follow. 

Each major stop is shaping the momentum differently, and the gap between contenders continues to shrink as the schedule winds down toward the end of the year:

Rivals Closing In

While Castro does currently lead, Peacock, Vanier, and Betbese each remain within striking range, and their ability to capitalize on the remaining high-point events will determine whether the lead holds or flips.

Late-Season Surges Are Changing the Race

Several players outside the early top five have made significant moves through back-to-back cashes at WPT® Prime events. With major stops still ahead, these surges could reshape the leaderboard once again.

International Fields Are Stronger Than Ever

Players from Europe, South America, and Asia are posting some of the most consistent results of the season, and this reflects the WPT®’s expanding global footprint. Vezhenkov and Kitsbabashvili prove the leaderboard is no longer dominated solely by U.S.-based competitors.

Main Tour Results Carry Heavy Weight

As always, Main Tour deep runs will shift the point totals very quickly. A single final table remains one of the most impactful moments of the POY race. Watch this space.

Rivalries Emerging Across Multiple Stops

With top contenders facing each other repeatedly across the calendar, we now have several player-versus-player rematch narratives emerging in the story. 

Quotes & Insights from the Field

WPT® players continue to emphasize how tight the 2025 race is. A common sentiment across post-event interviews this year:

“Every stop matters. One deep run can change everything.”

These developments show why the 2025 POY race remains wide open. 

With international fields expanding and late-season results carrying that extra weight, the final events of the year will determine whether the leader can hold position or whether one of the surging contenders overtakes the field to snatch the trophy.

How WPT® Global Feeds Into the 2025 Player of the Year Race

Several of the key WPT® Season 23 stops driving the 2025 Player of the Year race have been directly accessible through WPT Global satellites and Passport promos. 

Events like WPT® Prime Lodge in Texas, the WPT® Cambodia and WPT® Cyprus Championships, and early-season Main Tour stops such as Rolling Thunder, Seminole Hard Rock, and Choctaw all featured online qualification paths via WPT® Global alongside ClubWPT. 

Historical Context: What Makes 2025 Unique

The WPT® Player of the Year title has a long history of rewarding consistent excellence in poker. In recent years:

• No player has ever won POY in back-to-back seasons.
• Several winners secured the honor with late surges in the final events of the year.
• International contenders have become increasingly prominent over the seasons, making it a truly global league.

The POY award has a rich history within the WPT® ecosystem. For example, at the end of WPT Season 22, Yunkyu Song claimed the title with 2,275 points. That gives you a benchmark for how high the leaderboard can get in a season. 

In past seasons, the POY winner often used that winning momentum to launch into more major wins, so 2025’s champion will be in a strong position to rise into poker superstardom next year.

Stay Updated on the WPT® POY Race

If you’re following the WPT Player of the Year 2025 race, staying up to date is absolutely essential as the standings can shift dramatically with every Main Tour event and WPT® Prime stop.

For confirmed, updated results and official points: Visit WPT.com for real-time POY standings and event updates.

And follow WPT® Global for more analysis, player features, and season-wide insights as the race heads toward its conclusion!

FAQs

How is the WPT® Player of the Year decided?

The title is awarded based on a points system throughout the year that rewards deep runs across WPT® Main Tour and WPT® Prime events, as well as other events. Higher buy-ins and larger fields award more points.

How often are the 2025 POY standings updated?

Standings are always updated after each eligible WPT® event. For the latest results, make sure to check the leaderboard.

Does winning a single major event guarantee POY?

No. A major win will provide a significant boost to your points, but consistent results across multiple stops are usually required to secure the title.

Where can you follow live coverage of the race?

You can follow the standings, updates, and event recaps directly through WPT.com and WPT® social channels.