WSOP 2025: Tyler Brown Claims 2nd Bracelet; Williams and Zektser Grab Career-Best Wins

The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) continues to deliver unforgettable moments as champions rise from massive fields and intense final tables. Tyler Brown, already known for his 2023 Mystery Millions triumph, secured his second career bracelet in Event #28: $600 Mixed NLH/PLO DeepStack, despite early controversy that nearly led to his disqualification. 

Meanwhile, Courtenay Williams battled through over 16,000 entrants to take down the $500 Colossus for his first bracelet and a six-figure payday. In another thrilling showdown, longtime grinder Igore Zektser finally captured gold in the $1,500 Big O, cementing his name in the WSOP record books.

Courtenay Williams Outlasts Gigantic Field In The WSOP 2025 Colossus

Event #19: $500 Colossus drew an enormous field of 16,301 runners across four starting flights, generating a staggering $6,664,102 prize pool. A total of 2,326 players finished in the money.

This time, Courtenay Williams of Los Angeles, California, claimed the title and his first WSOP gold bracelet, earning a life-changing $542,540. With this score, his lifetime poker earnings soared past $600K.

Veteran pro Matt Glanz finished on the podium, taking home $273,260 for his deep run. 

Heads-Up

Williams began heads-up play with a commanding chip lead over Ramaswamy Pyloore, who had started the final table as the chip leader but entered heads-up at a significant disadvantage.

In the final hand, Pyloore shoved with queen-four, and Williams called with pocket nines. A nine hit the flop, giving Williams a set and the victory. Pyloore earned a career-best $361,690 for his runner-up finish.

Team India Performance 

Several Indians cashed this event, with Bhargav Kakani leading the charge with a 46th -place finish for $12,740. Paawan Bansal (155th for $4,520), Zurvan Tumboli (339th for $2,960), and Somasekhar Sanampuri (357th for $2,610) were the other Indians to cash in this event. 

WSOP 2025 Event #19: $500 Colossus Final Table Payouts 

Igore Zektser Ships Maiden Gold Bracelet In WSOP 2025 Big O

Veteran tournament grinder Igore Zektser, who has been competing since 2008, etched his name in WSOP history by winning Event #27: $1,500 Big O at the 56th Annual World Series of Poker. Zektser earned a career-best $297,285 and crossed the $1 million mark in live tournament earnings.

The event attracted 1,499 entrants, creating a $1,989,922 prize pool. The top 225 players made the money. Bracelet winner Ryan Hoenig finished in third place, earning $141,315 for his podium finish.

Heads-Up

Heads-up play featured Zektser against Paul Sincere, with Zektser holding a 3-to-1 chip advantage. After several hands, Zektser sealed the deal.

On the final hand, Sincere was all-in with a set, while Zektser had an open-ended straight draw. The board ran out 6♣-10♥-4♠-3♦-5♣, completing Zektser’s eight-high straight and awarding him the win.

WSOP 2025 Event #27: $1,500 Big O Final Table Payouts

Tyler Brown Wins Second Bracelet In WSOP 2025 Mixed NLH/PLO DeepStack

Tyler Brown, the 2023 WSOP Mystery Millions Champion, was nearly disqualified from Event #28: $600 Mixed NLH/PLO DeepStack following a color-up controversy with tournament staff. Although he received a penalty for the incident, Brown ultimately emerged victorious, clinching his second WSOP gold bracelet. For the win, Brown earned $178,126, pushing his live tournament earnings past $3.3 million.

Event #28 drew a massive field of 2,775 entries, generating a total prize pool of $1,398,600. The top 418 finishers made the money.

Newcomer Easton Oreman entered the final table second in chips, just behind the chip leader and eventual champion Tyler Brown. Oreman maintained a strong presence throughout the final table but was eliminated in third place, earning $86,268—a significant career milestone.

Heads-Up

The final duel was between Brown and Bjorn Gravlien, who began the final table as a mid-stack and entered heads-up as the short stack. Brown dominated the final table and continued to apply pressure heads-up.

A few hands into the match, Gravlien shoved with an ace-high flush draw on the turn. Brown, having flopped a set of kings, snap-called. The board didn’t improve Gravlien’s hand, and he finished runner-up with a career-best $118,618 payout.

WSOP 2025 Event #28: $600 Mixed NLH/PLO DeepStack Final Table Pauouts

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

Sources – WSOP/PGT/CardPlayer