ZZ Among the Elite: When Poker and Backgammon Meet Forbes

Forbes 30 Under 30 is an annual selection by Forbes Czech Republic, highlighting 30 exceptional people under the age of 30 across various fields— from business and technology through science, art, and sports. It's not a rank order from first to thirtieth, but rather a curated list of individuals who have already shown above-average results and possess the potential to significantly impact their industry in the coming years. Finalists are chosen from a broad list compiled throughout the year, with Forbes using expert consultations and public nominations.

Forbes presents Žižka as a two-time global backgammon champion who utilized statistics, logic, and probability in poker— achieving the pinnacle. A WSOP bracelet and two WSOP Circuit rings make for a résumé as impressive at the table as it sounds.

Major Poker Achievements

Žižka’s poker achievements can be summed up in three dreams typical of most grinders: winning a bracelet in Las Vegas, confirming form at the WSOPC, and hitting a massive cash that overshadows everything else.

His record win to date came in November 2025, when he dominated the Super High Roller with a $100,000 buy-in at the BSOP Millions series in São Paulo, taking home $1,200,000. This sum became not just his career peak but one of the biggest Czech victories in high-stakes tournaments ever.

Relive it in this article:

Why Forbes?

As Žižka himself confirmed in an interview with Forbes, his greatest asset isn’t luck, but logic. His strength lies in logical thinking—though he admits a paradoxical weakness: he wishes he could articulate his thoughts more clearly.

If he could title his life like a film, it would be simply: “The Player.” When asked about a plot twist, he describes his transformation from a perfectionist disliking change to someone who can travel halfway across the globe on a whim for an international tournament—winning the trophy players dream of. In his story, the film is far from over, as a player's world is full of unexpected turns.

Perhaps that's why ZZ made it into the “30 Under 30” list so naturally. It’s not only about what he’s won, but how he thinks: ambition rooted in a desire to improve, supreme confidence in strategic games when he sees opponents thinking suboptimally, and a life philosophy summed up in a simple, surprisingly calm equation—being happy without unnecessary irrational swings and having a strong foundation in what one enjoys.

Complete List Forbes CZ 30 Under 30 for 2026:

Sources – Forbes.cz, facebook.com/forbescesko