WSOP 2025

2025 WSOP: Andrey Zhigalov Rides Off with Second WSOP H.O.R.S.E. Bracelet

by Nathan Fryar June 14, 2025
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Andrey Zhigalov Event #39: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Bracelet Winner

Event #39: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. at the 2025 World Series of Poker brought the mixed game crowd out in full force, smashing records with 867 entries, which is the largest turnout this event has ever seen. The impressive turnout generated a $1,150,943 prize pool, proving once again that fixed-limit fans still know how to show up.

After three grueling days in the saddle, it was Russia’s Andrey Zhigalov who roped in the title, breaking away from the pack to capture his second career WSOP bracelet and the top prize of $197,923. Fittingly, Zhigalov’s first bracelet also came in this very event back in 2018 for $202,787. With this latest victory, the Russian mixed game specialist has now surpassed $1 million in live tournament earnings.

Standing between Zhigalov and gold was Canada’s Thomas Taylor, who once again found himself heartbreakingly close to his first bracelet. Taylor, Alberta’s all-time money leader, now has an impressive (but bittersweet) two second-place finishes, two thirds, a fifth, a sixth, and two ninths at the WSOP. For his runner-up finish, Taylor took home $131,916, pushing him just under the $2.4 million mark in live tournament earnings. Our Canadian colleagues here at poker.pro are convinced he’d give every penny of that prize back for the bracelet and we believe them.

2025 WSOP Event #39: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Final Table Results

PlacePlayerCountryPrize
1Russian Federation Andrey ZhigalovRussia$197,923
2Canada Thomas TaylorCanada$131,916
3Netherlands Marcel VonkNetherlands$91,545
4Israel Tal AviviIsrael$64,607
5United States of America Travis KubotaUnited States$46,384
6United States of America Joseph SantagataUnited States$33,885
7United States of America Sachin BhargavaUnited States$25,198
8Bulgaria Stanislav IvanovBulgaria$19,078

2025 WSOP Event #39: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. Final Table Recap

Eighteen players returned for the final day of the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. event at the 2025 WSOP, virtually guaranteeing a long and grueling grind before a new champion would be crowned deep into the night. As is often the case in fixed limit formats, the stacks were tight, and although Andrey Zhigalov entered as chip leader with 20 big bets, only a few players started the day at a significant disadvantage.

Tal Avivi 2025 WSOP
Tal Avivi

At the final table, Israel’s Tal Avivi pushed ahead early, briefly separating himself from the rest of the pack. Dzmitry Malets was the first to fall in the Omaha Hi-Lo round. After Sachin Bhargava opened the pot, Malets decided his K♠K♣8♥4♣ was good enough to go with and got it in on the turn A♦4♥6♣6♥. Bhargava, however, had him crushed with A♠K♥8♦3♦. The river changed nothing, and the Belarusian exited in ninth place for $14,713.

Avivi extended his chip lead in a hand against Stanislav Ivanov. They got it in on the turn after Ivanov led out on 2♣2♦K♣5♥ board and Avivi shoved. Ivanov tabled A♦5♠3♠3♥, ahead with two pair, but Avivi’s A♥J♦7♠4♦ rivered the J♥ to eliminate the Bulgarian in eighth for $19,078.

Moments later, Avivi knocked out Bhargava in a Razz round. Bhargava’s K-J-T-8-6-A-5 was no match for Avivi’s cleaner 9-8-7-6-3-3-K, sending the American home in seventh place for $25,198.

Zhigalov’s momentum began to build with the elimination of Joseph Santagata. In Stud, Santagata was betting strong with a pair of nines and improved to two pair by showdown, but Zhigalov had him beat with a full house, scooping the pot.

Travis Kubota found himself all-in after completing in Stud Hi-Lo with Q♣2♣/5♣, only to be called by Marcel Vonk, who held A♦A♣/10♠. The Dutch bracelet winner from 2010 also made a low on seventh street, and Kubota was hoping for two pair of better for half a pot, but failed to improve, exiting in fifth for $46,384.

Taylor began applying pressure and chipped away at Avivi, but it was Zhigalov who landed the knockout blow in the Razz round. The chips went in on sixth street with Avivi showing 8♥3♥3♦/A♦8♣7♣, while Zhigalov had a 9-6 low and then hit a three to make a better one. Avivi’s run ended in fourth for $64,607.

Taylor then took command by eliminating Vonk during the Stud round. It was fifth street when Vonk called all-in with Q♣J♥/10♣8♣7♦, while Taylor was ahead with A♦9♦/5♣K♦A♠. Vonk needed help but bricked out with 4♠ and 8♠, ending his run in third for $91,545.

Thomas Taylor 2025 WSOP
Thomas Taylor

At that point, Taylor had more than a 3:1 chip lead over Zhigalov and looked poised to finally seize his long-awaited WSOP title. But over the next three hours, Zhigalov battled back to even the playing field, and from there, the chip lead swapped hands several times. Eventually, a massive pot gave the Russian a 4:1 lead, and after the final break, it didn’t take long to settle the score.

The last hand came in the Razz round. With the chips in and one card to come, Zhigalov had 8-6-5-4-4-3 showing, while Taylor was drawing to a better hand with T-8-7-3-2-A. But Taylor caught another ace on seventh, failing to improve, and the dream was over once more.

Andrey Zhigalov is now a two-time H.O.R.S.E. WSOP champion. Thomas Taylor, once again, came close, but no cigar.

* Hands and photos courtesy of PokerNews and WSOP

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Nathan Fryar

Nathan Fryar is a former professional poker player turned poker author.

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