Rayo Kniep Wins WSOPC Thunder Valley Main Event for $185,458

Rayo Kniep, originally from Germany and now living in Northern California, captured the spotlight at Thunder Valley Casino Resort, winning the 2025 World Series of Poker Circuit Main Event and earning $185,458 along with his second WSOPC gold ring.

It was a near-perfect run for Kniep, who finished every tournament day as chip leader before sealing the victory at the final table. His total live tournament winnings now exceed 1.6 million dollars, marking another milestone in his poker career.

Good to Know

• The 1,700-dollar buy-in event attracted 646 players and generated a 1 million dollar prize pool.
• Kniep led every day of the tournament from start to finish.
• Runner-up Ben Primus earned 123,603 dollars for his finish.

A Confident Run From Start to Finish

Kniep’s dominance was clear from day one. He entered each stage of the competition with a commanding stack and maintained his edge through smart play and patience. Reflecting on the victory, he told reporters:

“I have to say it was a lot of run good on day 1, and particularly on day 3. I’ll take it. It’s always what I say, you have to enjoy the moment when it goes your way, because there will be other moments when it doesn’t go your way, so I’m enjoying this one.”

The field featured seasoned players and local grinders alike, but Kniep’s focus and composure gave him the edge. By day three, he had turned that early chip lead into a near-unstoppable advantage.

When asked about his trademark colorful clothing and bright accessories during the winner’s photo, Kniep joked:

“You know, you always have to be prepared. Maybe it’s happening, and then when it’s happening, it’s good to be prepared. It’s funny, because I think in the past I was traveling with more of the pink hats, and then the number of pink hats got reduced in my suitcase because my belief in winning was reduced, but I’m back!”

The 1,700-dollar buy-in event drew 646 entries across three starting flights, filling the venue with excitement. The top 98 players shared the prize pool, and all survivors returned for day two, battling toward the televised final table.

Kniep took control early, eliminating multiple opponents including Tony Swift, Scott Stewart, and Sarkis Khachatryan, each earning their share of the payout. The momentum never slipped. One by one, contenders fell—Zichuan Huang, Chris Elkins, and Jennifer Molan among them—until only two players remained: Kniep and Ben Primus.

The Final Hand

The heads-up duel began with Kniep holding roughly twice as many chips as Primus. The action didn’t last long before the decisive hand developed on a J105 flop. Primus, holding 106, made top pair and later improved to two pair when the 6 landed. Kniep, however, had pocket AA and called Primus’s all-in move.

When the J hit the river, Kniep’s better two pair sealed the win and brought the Thunder Valley title home. Primus finished runner-up with 123,603 dollars, bringing his lifetime earnings to over half a million dollars.

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