- Castro claimed the WPT Season 23 Player of the Year after collecting 1,850 points and over $411,000, with his Prime Lodge Championship win leading the way.
- The former SMU soccer standout now stands alongside winners like Negreanu as the tour's next season kicks off with entry options through various events.
LAS VEGAS – The World Poker Tour has named Harvey Castro as its Season 23 Player of the Year following an impressive 2025 season where he proved himself among the elite in competitive tournament play.
Castro's poker career came after his time playing soccer at Southern Methodist University. The 23-year-old collected $411,320 in prize money and earned 1,850 points over four separate tournaments.
His Player of the Year title stands out because it wasn't built on winning a Main Event - instead, he made his mark by consistently reaching the final stages of competitions.
The WPT Prime Lodge Championship in Austin delivered Castro's biggest moment. Castro proved he could handle the pressure when it mattered most by winning the title in Austin and taking home $225,020. He earned $165,000 after finishing second at the WPT Rolling Thunder Championship earlier in March.
After finishing fourth in a $10,000 6-Max tournament at the WPT Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown, he also received an extra $81,600.
Castro now joins an outstanding roster of prior winners including Daniel Negreanu, Jonathan Little, and Bin Weng. The WPT's 24th season has already started, and states with poker offerings can qualify through a variety of circuits.
Nevada poker sites continue providing pathways into major tour events for players seeking alternative entry methods.