Three Queer San Francisco Poker Players Take Their Shot at the 2025 WSOP Monster Stack

Now that the dust has settled from the 2025 WSOP Monster Stack this June, let’s rewind and take a deeper look at this five-day $1,500 no-limit hold ’em event. The tournament drew a massive field of 9,920 entries and created a $13.15 million prize pool. After four marathon days, Austria’s Klemens Roiter emerged victorious, claiming his first WSOP bracelet and a $1.2 million top prize.

Known for its deep starting stack (50,000 chips) and long blind levels, the Monster Stack differs from standard WSOP events—it’s designed to reward patience and skill over quick aggression. With four Day 1 flights and extending play to Day 4 (plus a condensed Day 5 for final tables), it’s viewed as one of the more grueling—yet appealing—events for amateurs and seasoned players alike.

Against this backdrop, three queer players from San Francisco—Christine "CK" La Monaca, Chino Scott‑Chung, and Cheyenne Martins—made their mark in June. Though none cashed, their tournament runs, camaraderie, and even a cheeky off-night at Weird Al’s show at the Venetian captured the spirit of WSOP grit.

Christine "CK" La Monaca Makes a Deep Run into Day 2

Among the trio of queer San Francisco-based poker players, CK went the deepest in this year's WSOP $1,500 Monster Stack. Her Day 1b included dramatic moments: she tripled up early when her pocket aces held strong against kings and jacks, and poker pro Jaime Kerstetter even joined her table after the dinner break.

Despite starting Day 2 with just over 10 big blinds (44,000 chips), CK managed to double up with A5 suited against kings — spiking an ace to stay alive and climb back to 27 BBs. But the momentum didn’t last. CK’s tournament ended after her pocket queens ran into pocket kings, a classic cooler that cut her run short.

Chino Scott-Chung’s Wild Vegas Ride

Chino Scott-Chung’s WSOP journey was full of highs and heartbreaks. After landing a surprise upgrade to a suite — thanks to the Horseshoe running out of regular rooms — his luck seemed strong. So, Chino kicked things off with a $1,500 GTD warm-up tournament but, unfortunately, didn’t make it out of that event.

In the Monster Stack, he started at Table #425, Seat #4, and got coolered early when his set of queens lost to a rivered ace. Later, his pocket aces were cracked by pocket eights, ending his Day 1b run. But the grind paid off elsewhere — Chino entered a $240 satellite tournament and won $2,000, impressively locking up the prize without even playing a hand at the final two tables. He followed it up with another deep effort in a $200 Deep Stack event, finding new momentum in smaller tournaments.

Cheyenne Martins Gains Experience in Second WSOP Monster Stack

Returning for her second Monster Stack appearance, Cheyenne Martins came in focused on building her tournament skills. Though she didn’t advance past Day 1b, Cheyenne took the experience in stride. Like Chino, she entered several satellite events following her exit, continuing to sharpen her skills and prepare for future live tournaments.

A Break from the Tables: Weird Al and Cardigans

In true Vegas fashion, the trio made time for fun off the felt. One highlight: catching Weird Al Yankovic live at the Venetian. The night gave them a chance to unwind, reflect on their tournament highs and lows, and appreciate the WSOP experience together. CK’s standout cardigan even turned heads at the event — because even in Vegas, fashion matters.