Ruoxiao Shi Wins Colossus at Playground Casino in 2025 WSOP Circuit

The Colossus, a marquee event of the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Circuit stop in March 2025, took place at Playground Casino in Montreal. This was a No-Limit Hold’em tournament, with a modest $300 buy-in, a tournament that promised a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool. Tournament organizers and the champion alike will be happy that the prize pool swelled to $703,120 thanks to an impressive 2,992 entries.

The starting flights, which were numerous, whittled the field of players down to 301 players for Day 2. This set the stage for some dramatic poker with the top prize at stake, along with a chance at a WSOP Circuit ring.

Canadian Ruoxiao Shi claimed victory, rising above the massive field to win the title. The size of the first prize was not readily reported on in social media. However, based on a prize pool of $703,120, you would expect the tournament champion to take away somewhere in the range of $110,000 to $140,000.

Last year's prize pool was about $565,000 and first place earned $85,000. Shi’s victory adds to a growing reputation quietly building on the poker circuit. His Hendon Mob profile lists 17 cashes totaling C$139,857 by January 2025, including a C$56,760 win in a June 2024 High Roller at Kahnawake and a 3rd-place finish in the August 2024 Colossus for C$34,470. While not a household name, Shi’s been on some radars—X posts from last year noted his “skills” after that Colossus run and called him “on fire” post-High Roller. This latest triumph, topping 2,992 entries, suggests he’s more than a flash in the pan, hinting at a player steadily rising through the ranks.

Playground Casino, the host venue, is located in Kahnawake, Quebec, just south of Montreal. Spanning over 100,000 square feet, it features 75 poker tables, making it one of Canada’s largest poker rooms. Known for its modern design and lively atmosphere, the casino offers a mix of cash games, tournaments, and amenities like dining and live entertainment. Its reputation for hosting high-profile events like the WSOP Circuit draws players from across North America, and Shi’s victory further cemented Playground’s status as a premier poker destination.

The action is just getting started in Kahnawake. The Colossus was the introductory tournament to a poker festival that will continue for several more days with some higher-stakes events still to come.