Second season of "Chase The Dream": highs and lows at the WSOP 2025

Watch the second season of the documentary series "Chase The Dream" about the real stories of amateur players at the World Series of Poker 2025. Emotions, successes, and setbacks at the poker table.

On September 25, the second season of the documentary series "Chase The Dream," produced by Push Fold Production, premieres on the Rec Poker YouTube channel. The new season is dedicated to the highs and lows of amateur players who took part in the world’s largest poker series — the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP). The spotlight is on the real stories of several Rec Poker team members as they share their successes, setbacks, and emotions at the poker table. Season Two Participants: Who Are They? In the new season of "Chase The Dream," viewers will meet players such as Jim Reid, Dayanna Ciabaton, Mikha Richards, Jay Carrafiello, Brett Kimes, Craig Savage, and Rob Gardner. All of them are members of the Rec Poker community, which brings together poker enthusiasts from around the world. Each of the series’ protagonists is not a professional player, but an enthusiast who balances poker with everyday life and work. For example, Craig Savage is a teacher from Dallas, Texas, who decided to spend his summer playing in Las Vegas, while Mikha Richards from Ohio returned to poker after ending her professional career, specifically to participate in WSOP 2025. Key Episodes: The Road to Final Tables and Big Prizes The first episodes of the season provide a detailed account of Craig Savage’s and other team members’ performances in various WSOP tournaments and side events in Las Vegas. Craig Savage started his summer by playing in the Grand Poker Series Championship at Golden Nugget with a $600 buy-in. He managed to finish in 12th place and win $6,645 in prize money. In an interview, Savage notes that "I had to fight until the end and squeeze the most out of every situation to climb the tournament ladder," adding that he feels a big breakthrough is near. Special attention is given to his run in the $500 WSOP Freezeout , where Craig reached heads-up for the gold bracelet and a six-figure payout against Tony Harrison from Nevada. The outcome of this battle is revealed only in the third episode of the season, keeping viewers in suspense. Dayanna Ciabaton from Florida shares her experience of playing at the same table as legendary poker commentator Norman Chad at PokerGO Studio. Later, viewers follow her run in the $1,000 WSOP Ladies Championship , where she had the chance to compete against Kristen Foxen and Main Event finalist Leo Margets. Ciabaton emphasizes how important it is for women in poker to support each other and notes that at the Ladies event, you always meet familiar faces and can connect with like-minded players. Mikha Richards from Ohio, who ended her professional career in 2024, unexpectedly decides to play at WSOP 2025. She enters the $300 WSOP Gladiators of Poker and makes a deep run, highlighted by a bold bluff on a four-flush board. Tournament Results and Payouts The series provides a detailed look at the results of some tournaments in which the protagonists participated: $600 Golden Nugget Grand Poker Series Championship : Craig Savage — 12th place , prize money $6,645 . $500 WSOP Freezeout : Craig Savage — reached heads-up against Tony Harrison. Final placement and prize amount are revealed in the third episode. $1,000 WSOP Ladies Championship : Dayanna Ciabaton makes a deep run, playing at the same table as Kristen Foxen and Leo Margets. $300 WSOP Gladiators of Poker : Mikha Richards makes a deep run, noted for a major bluff. The full table of payouts and placements will be revealed as new episodes of the season are released. Series Structure and Format The new season of "Chase The Dream" premieres on September 25 on the Rec Poker YouTube channel. Episodes will be released every Thursday. In each episode, viewers will see not only hands and key moments at the table, but also candid interviews with the participants, their thoughts on strategy, emotions, and decision-making under pressure. The series is aimed at amateur players who want to learn more about the real life of a poker player at the WSOP, see behind the scenes of the biggest tournaments, and get motivated for their own performances. Context: What Is the WSOP and Why Does It Matter? World Series of Poker (WSOP) is the largest and most prestigious poker series in the world, held annually in Las Vegas. Both professionals and amateurs from all over the globe come to the WSOP to compete for gold bracelets and multi-million dollar prizes. For many players, participating in the WSOP is a dream and a major milestone in their poker career. Venues such as Golden Nugget and PokerGO Studio also host many major tournaments as part of the summer poker series in Las Vegas, giving players of all levels the chance to test their skills and gain unforgettable experiences. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, the stories of the "Chase The Dream" participants are a great example of how even amateur players can achieve success at the world’s biggest poker series. Many of the show’s heroes balance poker with their main jobs, and their journey to the WSOP begins with regular online play and club tournaments — just like most PPPoker users. The series clearly shows that discipline, learning, and consistent practice in clubs can lead to significant progress and even a shot at the international stage. By following the strategies and emotions of the protagonists, PPPoker players can pick up useful tips, learn to handle pressure better, and get inspired to participate in major live tournaments. Moreover, watching "Chase The Dream" helps viewers understand how a tournament run is built, what challenges and joys await on the road to the final table, and why it’s important not only to win, but also to enjoy the game itself. For many PPPoker club members, this can be an extra motivation for growth and new achievements in poker.