Seven Bracelets Awarded at the WSOP during a Bustling Weekend
In the heart of the poker world, the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been a spectacle of skill, strategy, and triumph. Over the past few weeks, several players have etched their names in the annals of poker history, winning coveted WSOP bracelets and substantial prizes.
Kicking off our roundup, Lonny Weitzel, a 63-year-old from Texas, clinched his first bracelet in Event #64, the $1,000 Super Seniors No-Limit Hold'em. Weitzel outplayed Damir Stefanic heads-up, securing a victory worth $356,494. Notably, Weitzel's wife Bonnie also boasts a WSOP Circuit ring, making poker a shared achievement in the Weitzel household.
In Event #62, Andjelko Andrejevic made his mark with a victory in the $5,000 6-Handed No-Limit Hold'em. Andrejevic's triumph earned him his first bracelet and a hefty payout of $855,515. The final hand saw Andrejevic eliminating Adrien Delmas, who received $570,284 as the runner-up, after both players flopped flushes, with Andrejevic's being higher. However, the identity of the winner of Event #62 remains unconfirmed as the official results are yet to be released.
The Brazilian duo of Kerber and Patricio claimed their first bracelets in Event #65, the $1,000 Tag Team No-Limit Hold'em. Out of 1,373 teams, they navigated the competition, with Boujmala and Mahmouki earning $123,102 as runners-up. Kerber handled most of the late-stage play, including the final knockout against Boujmala and Mahmouki.
In Event #69, Blaz Zerjav added another bracelet to his collection with a victory in the $1,500 Seven Card Stud Hi-Lo 8 or Better. Zerjav defeated Poker Hall of Famer Huck Seed heads-up, earning $153,487. The final hand saw Zerjav holding two pair against Seed's nines and fours.
Event #68 saw Yilong Wang capture his first major career milestone, winning the $3,000 No-Limit Hold'em. Wang sealed the win with a full house and took home $830,685. The final hand saw Wang coming from behind against Israel's Ran Ilani.
The $10,000 Limit 2-7 Lowball Triple Draw Championship, Event #71, was won by Alex Wilkinson. Wilkinson navigated a tough field of 141 entries to claim his first bracelet and a prize of $333,054. The final hand saw Wilkinson beating Matthew Schreiber heads-up. In a dramatic turn of events, Wilkinson held a 10-7-5-3-2 low while Schreiber bricked his final draw.
Lastly, Rainer Kempe, a German high roller with over $22.6 million in cashes, finally broke through for his first bracelet in Event #72, the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty No-Limit Hold'em 8-Handed. Kempe defeated a field of 809 entries in just one day to win the event and collect $892,701.
The poker world continues to witness exciting moments as the 2025 WSOP unfolds, with each event showcasing the skill, determination, and luck of its participants. Stay tuned for more updates as the series progresses.
In the midst of these poker exploits, sports enthusiast Rainer Kempe, with a performances portfolio of over $22.6 million, seized his first bracelet in Event #72, demonstrating that even winner-takes-all sports like poker can be dominated by those accustomed to both high stakes and triumph. Meanwhile, in a refreshing break from these high-profile games, Blaz Zerjav, a seven-card stud expert, consolidated his reputation as a versatile poker veteran by adding another bracelet to his collection in Event #69, showcasing that sports can span various disciplines and masteries.
