WSOP 2025: Bohlman’s Breakthrough, Hoenig’s Total Dominance

Scott Bohlman Wins Second Bracelet, Breaks Through in No-Limit Hold’em
 

It finally came together for Scott Bohlman at WSOP 2025. The respected mixed-games veteran ended his long Hold’em drought by taking down Event #17: 2.000$ No-Limit Hold’em. Bohlman outlasted Dusti Smith heads-up to secure 436.044$ and his second career gold bracelet—but this was his first in No-Limit Hold’em, making the win all the more special.

“I’ve never won a big-field No-Limit Hold’em event… and I’ve been playing for 25 years. It’s an incredible feeling,” Bohlman said after the final table.

Bohlman has kicked off WSOP 2025 in top form—with the gold bracelet now in his collection, adding to a fourth-place finish from Event #8. So don’t be surprised to see his name in the hunt for another final table soon.

Ryan Hoenig Runs Over $10K Dealers Choice and Earns First WSOP Bracelet
 

If there was a bracelet for the most complete performance of the series, Ryan Hoenig would have walked home with that too. The 31-year-old from Colorado put on an absolute clinic in Event #18: 10.000$ Dealer’s Choice Championship, delivering one of the most flawless runs in recent WSOP memory. The only trouble came on Day 1, where Hoenig dipped to a short stack for a brief stretch, but he finished as chip leader at the end of the day—and never looked back, leading all the way to the finish line, including the marathon final table that stretched into an unscheduled fourth day.

Taking on 152 of the game’s best mixed-game specialists, Hoenig navigated through 21 poker variants and claimed his breakthrough gold bracelet along with a 354.444$ payday. His run was a masterclass in confidence, patience, and composure across every game—a truly dominating series performance.

Here’s how Hoenig summed it up after his win: “I felt totally in my element. I love the variety of it. Last year I skipped this tournament because there were a few games I wasn’t sure of. But this year, I knew I was ready no matter what came up.”

Lavin Crushes SHOOTOUT Final for Second Career Title
 

It was a milestone moment for Michael Lavin, who conquered a 1,299-entry field in Event #20: 1.500$ NLHE SHOOTOUT for a career-best 267.373$ and his second gold bracelet. Lavin now adds a live title to his WSOP Pennsylvania Bracelet Series Monster Stack victory from 2021.

Once he reached the final table, Lavin was nearly unstoppable—dispatching seven of his eight final-table rivals himself. Lavin wasn’t exactly talkative after the win, but his game said it all. “I’m happy it’s my first real winning summer in Vegas,” he said, hinting that after a well-earned rest day, he’ll be back in action for more tournaments as the series rolls on.

Miracle Run: Zachary Zaret Overcomes Final Table Giants for First Gold Bracelet
 

In the span of just a few dramatic days, Zachary Zaret went from short-stacked with five big blinds to WSOP champion. In Event #21: 1.500$ Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, Zaret rose from the brink of elimination to claim his first gold bracelet and a personal-best 248.245$ payday.

The event drew 1,176 entries, including a host of mixed-game specialists. But it was Zaret—a relative newcomer amid a loaded field—who found his moment, literally on the edge of busting from the tournament. He started Day 2 on fumes with just five blinds, but quickly tripled up with pocket kings and powered through the day to finish as the chip leader.

At the final table, Zaret never blinked—not even against a list of former WSOP champs like Vitch, Yockey, Johnson, and Korn. And once heads-up against five-time bracelet winner Calvin Anderson, he needed just two hands to lock up the victory.

Source: WSOP, PokerNews