David Shmuel Wins First Bracelet in WSOP 2025 Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better

The World Series of Poker has already delivered its first open event champion for 2025, and it happened earlier than many expected. While most eyes remained fixed on the upcoming no-limit and pot-limit finals, the $1,500 Omaha eight-or-better event quietly wrapped up with a big moment for a long-time grinder.

Good to know

• David Shmuel beat 909 opponents to win the Omaha eight-or-better event.
• He collected his first WSOP gold bracelet and a payout of $205,333.
• The win marked his third six-figure score in over 170 cash finishes.

Even though David Shmuel had already collected over $1.1 million in live tournament earnings before this event, the WSOP gold bracelet had always eluded him. That changed at Horseshoe Las Vegas after four days of competition. He secured his biggest career payday and added his name to the 2025 WSOP champions list.

The Miami-based player stayed calm through the ups and downs. He had started Day 1 with the chip lead but dropped to second place by the end of Day 2, with only 16 players remaining.

From the Middle of the Pack to the Top Spot

On the final day, Shmuel began in the middle of the standings but picked up steam quickly. A key moment came when he took down Melvin McCraney, who had the chip lead at the time. Shmuel scooped the pot with an ace-high diamond flush and the nut low, while McCraney held only the nut low. That hand flipped the momentum. McCraney slipped to seventh place soon after.

Three players at the final table had already been close to WSOP bracelets in the past. Joe Ford had finished fourth in this same event back in 2013. Darren Taylor and Ilia Krupin also brought past final table experience, with Krupin now making his third appearance at a WSOP final table.

The Bracelet Was Never Out of Reach

Once the table reached five-handed play, Shmuel took command and stayed in front. He did not score any eliminations at the final table until he knocked out Darren Taylor in third place. The chip advantage allowed him to stay patient, play tight spots with control, and eventually close it out in style.

The final hand of the night saw Shmuel holding A A K K—a powerhouse hand more common in pot-limit Omaha—against Ford’s Q 8 4 2. The board ran 9 9 4 J 2, giving Ford two pair, but it was not enough to overcome Shmuel’s high hand.

After his win, Shmuel shared a few words about the game he loves. “Omaha hi-lo is my favorite game,” he said. “It’s the game I actually started playing back in 1994. It’s a more relaxing game than hold’em and more fun to play. Two cards can get a little boring. Don’t get me wrong, hold’em is a great game, but I think mixed games are more fun.”

With 174 in-the-money finishes now on record and three six-figure payouts, Shmuel finally has a bracelet to match his long resume.

Final Table Results WSOP 2025 Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better

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