Dan Stepanian and Corky Eden Battle in WSOP Event #45 – SALUTE to Warriors

The 2025 World Series of Poker’s Event #45: $500 SALUTE to Warriors – No-Limit Hold’em drew thousands of players together in a shared tribute to U.S. military service members — and two familiar faces in the poker community, Dan Stepanian and Corky Eden, were right in the heart of the action.

Dan Stepanian’s Grind Through the Field

Dan Stepanian entered the tournament with a steady mindset and a 50,000 chip starting

stack. Early on, he took a small dip, sliding down to 43,600. But the momentum shifted quickly — Dan chipped back up by winning three small pots and found himself in rhythm.

Then came hand #4. Dealt pocket aces, Dan opened preflop for 8,000 and had one caller. The flop brought ace, jack, ten with two diamonds. He fired 20,000, but unfortunately didn’t get a call — still, it was a strong pickup, bringing him to 55,300.

Hand #5 for Dan, pocket aces, once again. He scooped another pot and moved up to 61,000 chips, steadily climbing the leaderboard. “Slow and steady,” Dan noted as he continued to pick his spots.

By the second break, he had chipped down slightly to 54,600, but remained well within range and in control of his table.

As the day wore on, Dan went into another break holding 56,000 chips — about 23 big blinds at that stage of the tournament.

Unfortunately, poker can turn on a dime. Dan’s tournament came to an end after he flopped a top pair of kings, only to run into the big blind’s flopped set of fours. Just like that, he was out — with 2,100 players remaining from a field of 3,900+ players, and nothing but "what ifs."

Corky Eden Represents with Pride and Honor

Across the crowded tournament floor, Corky Eden, one of the sharpest female players in the field, took her seat at Table 279, Seat 2.

Known for her composed table demeanor and strategic adaptability, Corky settled in early, reading the room and adjusting her play. With a deep respect for the game and the significance of the event, she was dialed in from the first shuffle.

As chips clattered and blinds escalated, Corky navigated her through the waves of aggressive competition.

Alas, it was not meant to be. Corky’s run ended rather unceremoniously as she so eloquently stated, “Ack! Out level 7. No luck today at all.”

Though their paths ended differently, both Dan and Corky played with heart and purpose, embodying the spirit of the tournament — a salute to those who serve, and a celebration of the game they love.

The entire Misfits Family congratulates and thanks both Corky and Dan for sharing their WSOP journeys with us.