WSOP 2025: Belgium’s Kenny Hallaert finishes in 4th place
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18 Jul 2025 •
Reading time: 2 minutes Las Vegas, 16 July 2025. After eleven days of breathless suspense, the World Series of Poker Main Event is drawing to a close. Belgian Kenny Hallaert, one of the great stories of this XXL tournament, finished in fourth place.
Already a finalist in 2016 (6ᵉ place), Hallaert marks an exceptional return to the spotlight. Right from the start of the final table, you can feel the particular chemistry between tension and hope. Yet his run ends in 4ᵉ place with a win of $3 million. But behind that figure lies a trajectory marked by twists and turns, a strong mind… and a brutal end.
From short-stack to podium hope
Kenny’s fate changed in his first hand against Mizrachi. With just 8 blinds, he went all-in with Ace-Queens, hoping to double up. But Michael Mizrachi, armed with a King-Jack, calls. A pay turn for Mizrachi reversed the Belgian’s dreams; their duel came to a screeching halt on the river: the Nine of Spades secured the straight for the American player, eliminating Hallaert from the competition.
Despite this fatal blow, Kenny never doubted. Before this game, he readily declared:
‘I only have 8 blinds, but I still believe in winning this tournament.’
A courage he articulated throughout the final table, diluting his short-stack position to hold out until the final moments.
His achievement contrasts with the storyline of Leo Margets, the first woman at the final table for 30 years, and John Wasnock’s run to the tournament lead with 108,100,000 chips. But it was Kenny Hallaert whose run epitomised the emotion and pride of a motivated challenger.
An exceptional Belgian performance
Kenny Hallaert’s fourth-place finish in this WSOP Main Event is much more than a ranking: it is the illustration of a journey strewn with emotions, tackles and courage. Belgian, professional and inspirational, his legacy is an intense story, a sign in his own way that he has not finished thrilling poker tables the world over.