2025 WSOP: Joao Vieira and David Baker Clinch Massive High Roller Wins

The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) continues to deliver thrilling victories with four more players etching their names into the WSOP history. Joao Vieira captured one of the series’ most prestigious titles in the $100k High Roller, Ian Johns dominated the $10k Limit Hold’em Championship for his fourth bracelet, David “ODB” Baker secured his long-awaited NLH title, and Andrey Zhigalov emerged victorious in Limit H.O.R.S.E. field to double his bracelet count. Here is a quick recap of their victories. 

Ian Johns Wins His Fourth Bracelet in WSOP 2025 $10K Limit Hold’em Championship

Ian Johns, who has participated annually in the World Series of Poker since 2006, captured his fourth career bracelet by winning Event #41: the $10,000 Limit Hold’em Championship. With his victory, Johns earned a six‐figure score of $282,455, bringing his live earnings close to the $2 million mark.

The $10K Limit Hold’em Championship saw 118 entries and generated a total prize pool of $1,097,400, which was distributed among the top 18 finishers. Notable players including Dario Alioto, Patrick Leonard, John Hennigan, Jeremy Ausmus, Scott Bohlman, and Daniel Negreanu ran deep in the tournament but ultimately fell short of claiming the top prize.

Anthony Zinno, a five-time bracelet winner, finished in third place and added $130,447 to his bankroll.

Heads-Up Action:

Johns entered the final showdown against Viktor Blom with a chip lead that he further extended by scooping several small and large pots. In the final hand of the tournament, Blom moved all-in holding queen-nine of spades and a flush draw on a board of 5♣-3♠-6♠-10♥. 

Johns promptly called with A♣-10♦, securing the top pair. When the river brought a K♥, Blom was eliminated, and he finished as the runner-up, earning $188,295.

Final Table Payouts

David Baker Secures His Fourth Bracelet In WSOP 2025 $5k Seniors High Roller 

David “ODB” Baker, widely regarded as one of the most versatile mixed-game specialists with previous bracelets in 8-Game, Limit Hold’em, and Razz, finally claimed his first WSOP No-Limit Hold’em bracelet. Baker outlasted an 801-entry field in Event #40: the $5,000 Seniors High Roller to win the top prize of $646,845. With this victory, Baker also pushed his lifetime poker earnings past $8.3 million.

The 801 runners generated a total prize pool of $3,684,600, which was awarded to the top 121 finishers. Poker veterans such as John Juanda, William Baxter, and Mike Matusow made the money but did not advance to the final table. Carmino Argiero rounded out the podium by pocketing a career-changing $302,208.

Heads-Up Action:

The two-handed action began with China’s Chuanshu Chen holding a small chip lead over Baker. But Baker gradually took control of the table. In the final hand of the tournament, Chen shoved his entire stack holding king-ten, while Baker called with ace-three. 

The board came out as 7♦-3♣-A♠-Q♦-6♥, and Chen was eliminated, finishing as the runner-up and earning an impressive $431,173.

Final Table Payouts 

Andrey Zhigalov Wins His Second Bracelet in WSOP 2025 $1.5K Limit H.O.R.S.E.

Russia’s Andrey Zhigalov now stands as a two-time bracelet winner after triumphing in Event #39: the $1,500 Limit H.O.R.S.E. Championship. Zhigalov prevailed over a record-breaking field of 867 runners, earning $197,923 and pushing his lifetime poker earnings past the $1 million mark.

The event generated a massive prize pool of $1,150,943, surpassing the previous year’s record for both the prize pool and the number of entrants, and paid out to the top 131 finishers. Marcel Vonk finished in third place, collecting $91,545.

Heads-Up Action:

Thomas Taylor entered the heads-up with more than 75% of the chips by sweeping several players from the final table. However, the heads-up battle proved grueling, lasting over two and a half hours with multiple changes in the chip lead. 

Ultimately, Zhigalov won a massive pot that shifted the momentum; Taylor could not recover and finished as the runner-up, earning $131,916.

Final Table Payouts 

Joao Vieira Claims His Fourth Bracelet in WSOP 2025 $100K High Roller

Portugal’s poker star Joao Vieira secured his fourth World Series of Poker bracelet by winning Event #38: the $100,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller, and he walked away with $2,649,158. Vieira had come close to winning his fourth bracelet at the 2024 WSOP Paradise $100K Triton Main Event but had to settle for a runner-up finish. This time, however, he ensured that a bracelet was added to his collection.

The $100K High Roller featured an elite field of 103 players and generated a massive total prize pool of $9,939,500, which was paid out to the top 16 finishers. Several high-profile players – including Adrian Mateos (11th), David Peters (10th), Phil Ivey (9th), Andrew Lichtenberger (6th), and Issac Haxton (4th) – made deep runs, yet none were able to claim the top prize.

Thomas Boivin of Germany completed the final table, finishing with a career-best seven-figure score of $1,212,020.

Heads-Up Action:

The final showdown began between Vieira and Aram Oganyan, who initially held a three-to-one chip advantage. However, Vieira managed to reverse the roles with a key gutshot. The prolonged heads-up duel, which was close to the fierce battle between Nick Schulman and Darren Elias earlier in the tournament, continued until the final hand. 

In that decisive hand, Oganyan moved all-in holding queen-eight, and Vieira promptly called with king-jack. The board favored Vieira when a King arrived on the river, sealing his victory. Oganyan earned $1,766,099 for his runner-up finish.

Final Table Payouts 

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Sources – PGT/WSOP/CardPlayer

Image Credit: WSOP/PGT