Final Table Player Bios

Seat 1: Caleb Levesque - 1,680,000

Caleb Andrew Levesque stands out at the table with a uniquely wild biography: self-described as a “degenerate gambler,” he’s been playing poker for roughly 12 years, originally introduced to the game by coworker who invited him into a home game during a summer job. His favourite game? A local Chico, California variant called “Out Pops the Devil” (yes, really), though he plays a little of everything. Off the felt you’ll find him hunting turtles, catching lizards and snakes, gaming, bowling with his girlfriend Amber, and hanging with his brothers John and Daniel—plus good friends Casey, Jake, Todd, Cryer and Bonez. He offers up a shout-out to “Greg, who told me to remember him when I make it big.” His poker goal: “I’m gonna win the Main Event TWICE.” Levesque has lifetime live tournament earnings of $224,543.

Seat 2: Jason Hickey - 1,845,000

Hailing from Austin, Texas, Jason Hickey has carved out an 18-year run in poker, transitioning from college hobbyist inspired by the Chris Moneymaker phenomenon into a seasoned tournament competitor and coach. A devoted husband to Vili and proud father of Charlotte and Anton, Hickey splits his time between tracking down the next big hand and keeping active outdoors. He favors no-limit holdem as his go-to variant, looking to “keep improving and making money every year,” and counts Andrew Ostapchenko among his favorite players to study. Over the last two decades, Hickey has amassed $1,785,113 in tournament winnings.

Seat 3: John West - 2,035,000

A retired engineer hailing from Austin, Texas, John “Johnny Poker” West is a seasoned recreational grinder with 25 years at the tables. He cut his teeth in the home games around Austin, and prefers pot-limit Omaha to no-limit holdem. Outside of poker you’ll find him at the chess board, keeping his mind sharp while mixing in a few tournament days per week for fun and challenge. West has live tournament earnings of $70,896.

Seat 4: Alex Goya - 1,875,000

Hailing from Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, Alex “Goya” Goya brings 17 years of experience to the final table. A software consultant by day, he first discovered poker in high-school home games and has been on a steady grind of no-limit holdem ever since. With family back home cheering him on and a keen interest in surfing and travel when the cards are put away, Goya merges island-laid-back tenacity with the focus of a disciplined poker student. His poker heroes include Dan Coleman and Alan Keating, and his poker future includes one clear goal: win a bracelet. Goya has lifetime tournament winnings of $71,964.

Seat 5: Eli Katzman - 2,550,000

Hailing from Santa Rosa, California, “Eli G” Katzman is a seasoned 15-year veteran who has built his reputation in cash games—and now, for “some strange reason,” is aiming to reinvent himself as a tournament player. A devoted dad to four kids and a passionate supporter of Bay Area teams like the San Francisco Giants, 49ers, and Golden State Warriors, Katzman balances the discipline of family life with the intensity of high-stakes poker. He thrives when the chips are flowing and the action turns to his preferred variant—Pot‑Limit Omaha—shouting “More cards, more fun!” when the table swings into four-card territory. His long-term game plan is simple and bold: “Win this 100k, and then the next 100k!” Katzman has live tournament earnings of $25,285.

Seat 6: Nathan Speas - 4,340,000

Based in Austin but originally from Quintana, Spain, Nathan “Natán” Speas strikes an intriguing balance between international roots and local grit. He learned the game’s basics from his father and transitioned to playing professionally about two years ago, Speas carries the hunger of a newcomer with a seasoned mix of software-like precision. His variant of choice? No Limit Hold’em, “all day.” Off the felt, he embraces his circle—his parents, his friend Omar in Spain—and indulges in creative escapes like playing drums, swimming in Austin’s natural spring pools, traveling, and above all, seeking peace and profit. His long-term goal: to stack bracelet after bracelet, setting ever higher benchmarks as he builds his poker legacy. Speas has recorded live tournament earnings of $11,946.

Seat 7: John Montgomery - 1,475,000

Known around the tables as “Johnny Poker,” John Montgomery of Round Rock, Texas is not your typical tournament grinder—he’s a deal-maker turned poker enthusiast who has spent 25 years with a chip in hand and a business mind in motion. The owner of a dozen businesses, Montgomery discovered poker through friendly games with co-workers and now favors Pot-Limit Omaha as his game of choice. With his 15-year-old son Preston in his corner, alongside his mother, step-dad, longtime pals Preston & Durdy, and the faithful crew of his Kansas City Chiefs tailgate squad, Montgomery blends entrepreneurial drive, family support and poker ambition into a potent mix. Off-the-felt you’ll find him traveling, working hard and cheering for his Chiefs from the stands. On the felt, he says his long-term goal is simply to “collect trophies and get some WSOP rings and bracelets.” Montgomery has live tournament earnings of US $167,117.

Seat 8: Jonathan Dull - 2,195,000

Austin-based “JD” brings two decades as a professional to the felt with a calm confidence and a simple mission: win, stay in the game as long as he can, and be remembered as someone who did right by people. Growing up in a card-playing family where “there’ve been cards around the table since I was in diapers,” Dull turned that casual start into a disciplined career, carving out his space in PLO and other variants. At home, priorities include spending time with his wife, fitness in the gym, and cheering on his favorite sports. With solid support from his parents, in-laws and longtime friends, he comes into this final table as a seasoned contender. JD has amassed an impressive $1,342,300 in his tournament career. 

Seat 9: Gavin Smith - 735,000

From Portland, Oregon, Gavin Smith (no, not that Gavin Smith) brings two decades of experience to the table. First introduced to the game through his home-game league, he works as a dealer by profession and prefers deuce-to-seven Triple Draw as his variant of choice. Off the felt, he’s a student of the game and a video-game enthusiast. With long-term ambitions of “Win something big. Lol.” he arrives at this final table with that quiet confidence of someone ready for his moment. Smith has lifetime live tournament earnings of $226,472.

Final Table Payouts

1st -  $100,530
2nd - $64,050
3rd - $47,150
4th - $35,170
5th - $26,150
6th - $20,210
7th - $15,240
8th - $12,100
9th - $9,710