Zachary Zaret just made the biggest score of his poker career. The Toronto-based player captured his first World Series of Poker gold bracelet and took home $248,245 by winning Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Eight-or-Better at the 2025 WSOP in Las Vegas.
The tournament drew 1,176 entries across Paris and Horseshoe, building a prize pool of $1,561,140. Zaret outlasted a field that included several bracelet winners and came out on top after a fast-paced final table. His victory was sealed in a two-hand heads-up showdown with five-time bracelet winner Calvin Anderson.
Good to know
- The event paid the top 178 finishers, with defending champ Caleb Furth squeaking in at 177th.
- Zaret’s previous top score was just $23,131 in a 2023 WSOP Online Circuit event.
- Calvin Anderson, Chris Vitch, and Bryce Yockey were all among the final six players.
As the tournament neared the money bubble, several top players remained in contention. Maxx Coleman, Shaun Deeb, and Marco Johnson all posted deep finishes. Zaret started the final day in the lead and held that position entering the final table.
Chris Vitch knocked out two players early to jump ahead, while Calvin Anderson surged after eliminating Johnson and Yockey with strong scoops. Ronnie Tate was next to fall in fifth place when Vitch’s ten-high straight beat his set. Darryll Fish went out in fourth after a tough cooler, unable to overcome Vitch’s aces up.
Closing Stretch Heavily Favored Zaret
With three players left, Zaret turned the tables on Anderson by winning a massive pot with jacks full. That hand crushed Anderson’s flush and low draw, pushing Zaret back into the lead. Anderson fought back with a double through Vitch, but Zaret eventually eliminated the three-time bracelet winner by making an ace-high flush.
Heads-up play began nearly even in chips. But the final confrontation came quickly. On the second hand, Zaret held J
J
53, while Anderson had A7
5
2. The flop brought a mix of draws and top pair, but the Q turn gave Zaret a flush and a strong low. Anderson had no help on the river, and Zaret scooped the pot to win his first bracelet.
After the win, Zaret told PokerNews reporters: “Feels amazing. It’s something I’ve always dreamed of. Hard to believe it’s real life.”
Final Table Results 2025 WSOP Event #21: $1,500 Pot-Limit Omaha Eight-or-Better
| Result | Player | Prize |
| 1 | Zachary Zaret | $248,245 |
| 2 | Calvin Anderson | $165,447 |
| 3 | Christopher Vitch | $116,672 |
| 4 | Darryll Fish | $83,465 |
| 5 | Ronnie Tate | $60,584 |
| 6 | Bryce Yockey | $44,630 |
| 7 | Marco Johnson | $33,374 |
| 8 | Andres Korn | $25,339 |
| 9 | Donny Rubinstein | $19,538 |
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