From side game to spotlight: Haoyu Wang wins first title in $4K High Roller

In a field full of familiar faces and known players around the East Coast, it was a new name that rose to the top in the $4K NLH High Roller at the 2025 Potomac Poker Open. After just two and a half hours of play on the final table, Haoyu Wang found himself shaking hands with David Lim at the conclusion of a heads-up match that secured him his first live title and nearly $50k.

Not long ago, the prospect of playing a $4,000 buy-in tournament didn't seem too likely.

"About three days ago, I was playing $2/5 downstairs," Wang told us after he'd won the High Roller. "One of my friends asked me to play in a satellite with him. I said yes — and then I won my seat in it."

That satellite ticket turned into a strong Day 1 finish, where he bagged third in chips behind eventual runner-up Lim and Bin Weng.

Bin Weng finished third in the $4K NLH High Roller.

Cash games for dough

The High Roller attracted 30 entries, leaving the $100K guarantee in the dust. Just six players came back for Day 2 and only four would get paid.

"Before I came into the day, all I wanted was to stay alive until the shortest busted," Wang said. "However, the first hand I played I made a boat and became the chip leader. I didn't put a ton of pressure on after that, I just wanted to save my chips."

Wang admits he's relatively new to tournaments — less experienced than anyone else at the final table. That didn't stop him from eliminating every remaining player from fifth place onward.

"Usually I'm a cash player," Wang said. "This tournament was only the 10th or 11th I've ever played and I usually play $400-500 buy ins."

And this big win isn't going to change Wang too much. He might play the Main Event but, as he told us: "I will play the satellite first, and it will all depend on the schedule."

You can see the final hand play out below, along with Wang's chilled reaction to winning.