"Czech Joker" Martin Kabrhel Leads $250K WSOP Super High Roller After Wild Day 1

The biggest buy-in event of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) kicked off in style, delivering exactly what fans expected — elite showdowns, bold bluffs, and plenty of drama. Event #46: the $250,000 Super High Roller drew 46 entrants on Day 1, with Czech poker player Martin Kabrhel bagging the chip lead.

The $250,000 Super High Roller began with a star-studded field and some jaw-dropping hands. Among the highlights was Matthias Eibinger's daring seven-high river bluff, which backfired spectacularly when Brandon Steven sniffed it out and called a small river bet to eliminate the Austrian high roller.

In another memorable hand, Jeremy Ausmus made a stunning jack-high call on a double-paired board that left the table buzzing. And in perhaps the most theatrical moment of the day, Martin Kabrhel eliminated former champion Alex Foxen in dramatic fashion. As Foxen hit the rail, Kabrhel's exaggerated cry of “NOOOT LIKE THIIIIIIIS!” echoed through the Paris Ballroom, underscoring his signature mix of showmanship and controversy.

In this hand, Kabrhel faced off against two-time WSOP champion Michael Moncek — also known as Texas Mike:

Also advancing are top names like Kristen Foxen, Sean Winter, Adrian Mateos, Dan Smith, and Daniel Negreanu, who is chasing his fourth final table of the summer. Defending champion Santhosh Suvarna also remains in contention, along with Jesse Lonis, continuing his rise in the Super High Roller ranks.

While the chip lead is impressive, it’s Martin Kabrhel’s personality that has once again stolen the spotlight.

Dubbed the “Czech Joker”, Kabrhel is one of the most polarizing figures in professional poker. He’s not just known for his technical skills, but for his unpredictable and often infuriating behavior. On Day 1 of the $250K Super High Roller, he was at his most theatrical—trash-talking opponents, reacting theatrically to bad beats, and even playfully shoving Daniel Negreanu, who just days earlier had shouted across the room for Kabrhel to “shut up” during a $50K High Roller clash.

But the antics go far beyond table talk.

Kabrhel’s history in the game is littered with controversy. Over the years, he has drawn criticism for stalling, slowrolling, and using unusual chip denominations to disrupt the flow of play. The most serious accusation came in 2023, when several pros—including Andrew Robl and Dan Smith—publicly accused him of marking cards during this very event. The allegations sparked a WSOP investigation, and although he was never formally penalized, the damage to his reputation was significant.

Yet despite all this, or perhaps because of it, public perception seems to be shifting. In an era where many high-stakes players are robotic, stone-faced, and silent, Kabrhel brings something undeniably different: chaos, personality, and emotion. He keeps the cameras rolling and the audience engaged, even if some of his tablemates would rather see him gone.

He’s no longer just the villain — he’s becoming a spectacle. Fans are tuning in not just for the poker, but to see what Kabrhel will do or say next. And after finishing third in this event last year for over $2.2 million, he now returns as the chip leader, seemingly on a mission to claim the title with as much noise and drama as possible.

Whether you love him or loathe him, one thing is certain: Kabrhel makes poker unforgettable.