WSOP 2025: Blaz Zerjav, Aloisio Dourado & Zachary Zaret Capture Maiden Bracelets 

The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) continues to deliver thrilling stories as three rising stars etched their names into the history books. Canadian newcomer Zachary Zaret, Slovenian pro Blaz Zerjav, and Brazil’s own Aloisio Dourado each captured their maiden WSOP bracelets in dramatic fashion. 

With career-defining wins across varied formats, PLO Hi-Lo, NLH High Roller, and Badugi, these breakthrough performances not only earned them gold but also marked pivotal moments in their poker journeys. Here’s how each player rose above elite competition to claim WSOP glory.

Zachary Zaret Secures His First Bracelet In WSOP 2025 Event #21

Hailing from Canada, Zachary Zaret emerged victorious in Event #21: $1,500 PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better 8-Handed, securing his maiden WSOP gold bracelet and a career-changing $248,245. The newcomer battled against a stacked final table, which included numerous bracelet winners and pros eyeing the top prize. His latest victory pushed his live earnings past the $300,000 mark.

The $1,500 PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better 8-Handed drew 1,176 entries, building a total prize pool of $1,561,140, paid out to the top 178 finishers. Argentina’s bracelet winner Andres Korn finished in 8th place for $25,339. He was followed by two-time bracelet holders Marco Johnson and Bryce Yockey, who finished in 7th and 6th place for $33,374 and $44,630, respectively. Three-time bracelet winner Christopher Vitch exited in 3rd place with a six-figure payout of $116,672.

Heads-Up

Zaret entered heads-up play with a slight chip lead over five-time bracelet holder Calvin Anderson. While many expected a fierce battle for the title, the heads-up lasted only two hands.

In the second and final hand, Anderson jammed with a pair of aces. Zaret, holding a flush draw, snap-called, and completed his flush on the turn on a board of 2d-As-6s-Qs-Qd. Anderson earned $165,447 for his runner-up finish.

Final Table Payouts

Blaz Zerjav Secures His First Gold Bracelet in WSOP 2025 Event #22

Slovenia’s Blaz Zerjav, who first participated in the World Series of Poker in 2019, finally captured the coveted gold bracelet at the 2025 WSOP. Zerjav took down Event #22: $25,000 NLH High Roller 6-Handed, earning his maiden bracelet and a life-changing $1,734,717. With this victory, Zerjav pushed his live earnings past $2.8 million, establishing himself as a rising star in Slovenia’s poker scene and now leads the country’s all-time money list.

The $25,000 buy-in attracted 336 high rollers to Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas, generating a total prize pool of $7,896,000, paid out to the top 51 players. Several elite pros, including Santhosh Suvaran, Andrew Lichtenberger, Brock Wilson, Seth Davies, David Coleman, Nick Shulman, and Kristen Foxen, cashed but fell short of the final table.

2023 WPT World Champion and bracelet winner Dan Sepiol finished in 7th place for $189,021. Bracelet winner Paulius Vaitiekunas took 4th for $358,973. Jared Bleznick, who won the $50,000 NLH High Roller at the 2024 WSOP, finished 3rd, pocketing $752,737.

Heads-Up

The final duel was between two-time bracelet holder Chris Moorman and newcomer Blaz Zerjav. Moorman entered with a slight chip lead, but Zerjav quickly reversed the situation, reducing Moorman to under 20 big blinds. Despite the disadvantage, Moorman put up a strong fight.

In the final hand, Moorman shoved with ace-jack, and Zerjav snap-called with ace-king. The board ran out 8c-4s-3s-5c-Ah, giving Zerjav the pot with top pair and a king kicker.

ACR Poker Ambassador Chris Moorman earned a seven-figure payout of $1,129,608. Zerjav took home $1,734,717 and his first WSOP bracelet.

Final Table Payouts

Aloisio Dourado Ships His Maiden WSOP Bracelet In WSOP 2025 Event# 23

Back in 2023, Brazilian pro Aloisio Dourado finished runner-up to Shaun Deeb in the $1,500 8-Game Mix event, narrowly missing his first WSOP bracelet. Fast forward to 2025, Dourado returned to take down Event #23: $1,500 Badugi, securing his long-awaited WSOP bracelet and an impressive $138,114 for his victory.

The $1,500 Badugi event attracted a record-breaking 534 entries, resulting in a $708,885 prize pool, paid out to the top 81 finishers. Several bracelet holders and newcomers cashed, all vying for the top spot. Andrew Brown and Matthew Schreiber finished in 8th and 7th place, earning $11,276 and $15,030, respectively. James Newberry made a deep run, finishing 3rd and collecting $61,061.

Heads-Up

Dourado entered heads-up play with a solid chip advantage against bracelet holder Dominick Sarle. The battle ended quickly when Sarle moved all-in with a jack Badugi, and Dourado snap-called with a six Badugi to claim the win.

Sarle earned $92,058 for his runner-up finish.

Final Table Payouts

Keep following PokerProNews for the latest updates and results from the ongoing WSOP 2025!

Sources – WSOP/CardPlayer/Hendon Mob/ PGT