WSOP 2025 Day 18 Recap: Joao Vieira Takes Down $10K High Roller; Andrey Zhigalov, Philip Sternheimer Also Win Gold

The World Series of Poker saw a trio of winners crowned on Friday, including Joao Vieira grabbing his fourth piece of hardware in the $100,000 High Roller. Andrey Zhigalov also came out on top in the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E., and Philip Sternheimer scored gold in the $10,000 Pot Limit Omaha Hi-Lo. Here’s a look at the latest action from the Horseshoe and Paris casinos in Las Vegas.

Fourth Bracelet for Vieira in $100,000 High Roller

Portugal’s Joao Vieira found the winner's circle in Event #38: $100,000 High Roller for $2.6 million and now has four bracelets. The event drew 103 entries for a $10 million prize pool and the winner was pleased to see a supportive rail during the final table.

"Nobody walks this life alone,” he said. “I'm very happy to have the wife that I have, the parents, my sister raised me, my beautiful nieces, and the support group of my friends. My base is also very strong, and that helps me go through the ups and downs with a humble head."

Aram Oganyan finished runner-up after a long heads-up match and scored $1.8 million. Thomas Bolvin finished third for $1.2 million at a final table that included several well-regarded high-stakes pros.

Event #38: $100,000 High Roller Final Table Results

 
Bracelet No. 2 Heads to Andrey Zhigalov in $1,500 H.O.R.S.E.

Andrey Zhigalov (pictured above) grabbed his second bracelet and $197,923 in Event #39: $1,500 H.O.R.S.E. The win came after a protracted battle with just two players remaining. Thomas Taylor finished runner-up for $131,916 in an event that brought in 867 entries for a $1.1 million prize pool.

"This is my favorite tournament, and I was so proud to play on this final table again. I won the tournament in 2018 and tried to defend my title in 2019, but couldn't do it,” Zhigalov said after the win. “It's a very special tournament for me, and it's a very good tournament with a very friendly atmosphere.”

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

Philip Sternheimer Tops Tough Final Table for $10K PLO Hi-Lo Title

After bringing the chip lead into Event #36: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship, the UK’s Philip Sternheimer came out on top in Event #36: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship for his first gold bracelet after seven previous WSOP final table appearances.

“Sort of means everything, to be honest,” he said of finally winning the bracelet. “I was thinking this morning as I was walking to the tournament area, that I don't think I ever wanted something as bad as this one. And it feels truly surreal once the last card is dealt and you won the bracelet because it's been something I've been chasing for a very long time, and everyone who plays the game knows that.”

Along with the hardware, Sternheimer won $763,087. Bruno Smith finished runner-up for $508,705 after already winning the $5,000 Pot Limit Omaha earlier in the series for $620,696. Shaun Deeb took third for $348,304 in an event that attracted 386 entries for a $3.7 million prize pool

Event #36: $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship

Viktor Blom, Anthony Zinno, Daniel Negreanu Return for Limit Hold’em Final Table

No Limit Hold’em gave way to the limit version on Friday with Day 2 in Event #41: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship concluding with just nine players returning to battle for the $282,455 top prize. A familiar name sits atop the chip stacks with some other well-known players returning on Saturday to play to a winner.

Online poker legend Viktor Blom returns as chip leader with 1,875,000. Two-time bracelet winner Ryan Bambrick sits in second with 1,465,000 followed by three-time bracelet winner Ian Johns (810,000) and four-time bracelet winner Anthony Zinno (790,000). Daniel Negreanu enters the final table eighth in chips with 420,000. The event produced a field of 91 players for a $1.1 million prize pool.

Event #41: $10,000 Limit Hold'em Championship

Just 50 Players Remain in $5,000 Seniors High Roller

Ramana Epparla bagged the chip lead in this event with just 50 players remaining.  He returns to the action on Saturday with 2,625,000 chips, followed by bracelet winner Theo Jorgensen with 2,245,000. The event brought in 25 players for a $3.7 million prize pool and the winner takes home $646,845.

Others remaining include three-time bracelet winner David “ODB” Baker (1,380,000), bracelet winner Julio Belluscio (1,215,000), bracelet winner John Esposito (915,000), and four-time bracelet winner Mike Matusow (735,000).

Event #40: $5,000 Seniors High Roller No-Limit Hold'em

John Riordan Leads $1K PLO Field

The first day of action in Event #42 $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed played out on Friday with 1,932 entries for a $1..8 million prize pool. Just 102 of those advanced, all vying for the bracelet and $237,852 payout for the winner.

Two -time bracelet winner John Riordan returns as chips leader with 1,293,000. Some others still in the field include bracelet winner Benny Chen (1,161,000), two-time bracelet winner Robert Cowen (1,155,000), bracelet winner Mike Leah (859,000), and two-time bracelet winner Dylan Weisman (845,000).

Event #42 $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha 8-Handed

Tom McCormick, Matt Savage Lead Pack in $1,500 Razz

The initial day of Event #43: $1,500 Razz ended on Friday with Tom McCormick leading the pack. The player from Fargo, North Dakota, has 120 career WSOP cashes, but has yet to bag a bracelet. He returns with 343,000 and is followed by World Poker Tour executive tour director Matt Savage (324,000).

The event saw 472 entries for a $626,580 prize pool. Others returning include Phillip Hui (235,000), Allan Le (220,000), Calvin Anderson (212,500), David Shmuel (181,000), Lawrence Brandt (178,000), and WSOP Main Event champions Huck Seed (87,000) and Phil Hellmuth (63,000).

Event #43: $1,500 Razz

      
Biggest Starting Flight Yet in Monster Stack on Friday

The third starting flight of Event #37: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em was the largest so far with 2,681 players. Just 886 advanced on to Day 2 with one starting flight remaining on Saturday. Christopher Leach finished the day as chip leader (965,000) and now leads overall. Others moving on include Martin Zamani (310,500), Bin Weng (285,500), Neel Joshi (282,500), Keven Stammen (256,500), Shai Zurr (241,500), Andrew Hulme (238,500), Jason Wheeler (230,000), Taylor Paur (187,500), and Angela Jordison (179,000). One final flights is set for Saturday and should bring in big numbers.

Event #37: $1,500 Monster Stack No-Limit Hold'em Day 1C