2025 World Series of Poker

Andrey Zhigalov Wins $197,923 and the $1,500 H.O.R.S.E Title for the 2nd Time in His Career

Andrey Zhigalov has defeated Thomas Taylor after a grueling back and forth heads up battle, giving him his second World Series of Poker bracelet, in the same event.

Thomas Taylor Elimimated in 2nd ($131,916)

Razz

Thomas Taylor brought it in, before Andrey Zhigalov completed. Taylor then raised, before Zhigalov came over the top again. Taylor gave it some thought before moving all in, and Zhigalov quickly made the call.

Thomas Taylor: 8X2X/10X7XAX3X All in
Andrey Zhigalov: 5X4X/3X8X6X4X

Taylor was still live as he awaited his final card, but when Taylor turned over AX
he sealed the victory, and after Taylor tabled the 10X, he was officially eliminated in 2nd place.

Final Break of Day 3

The heads-up opponents have been sent on their final break of the night.

When they return, they will play one more level. If the tournament has not concluded by then, they will get the option to bag their chips or play another level.

Zhigalov Value-Bets Worst Hand

Omaha Hi-Lo

Andrey Zhigalov was on the button and raised. Thomas Taylor three-bet in the big blind, seeing Zhigalov toss in a call. Taylor slowed down on the 9♣Q♦10♥ flop, check-calling Zhigalov's bet.

Both players then knuckled the table on the 8♠ turn, and Taylor did so too on the 9♥
river. Zhigalov fired a bet, and Taylor snap-called.

Zhigalov confidently tabled A♦9♦7♦2♣
for trip nines, but Taylor had a straight with A♠J♦7♣2♦and was awarded the pot.

Taylor Misses Straight Flush Draw; Zhigalov Chips Up

Limit Hold'em

Andrey Zhigalov raised on the button, seeing Thomas Taylor call in the big blind. Zhigalov placed a continuation-bet on the K♥8♦7♦ board, which Taylor check-raised.

Zhigalov quickly called, and the remainder of the 8♠Q♠ runout was checked down. Taylor could only show jack-high with J♦10♦, leaving Zhigalov to take the pot with A♥9♥ for ace-high.

Two-Bet Pot Propels Taylor to Lead

Seven Card Stud

Andrey Zhigalov: XXXX/9♦️J♠2♠10♦/XX

Thomas Taylor: XXXX/J♣8♥6♠9♠/XX

Andrey Zhigalov brought in, Thomas Taylor completed, and Zhigalov raised. Taylor tossed in a call, after which he called bets on fourth, fifth, and sixth street.

Zhigalov slowed down on seventh street, checking over to his opponent. Taylor then bet, and Zhigalov mucked his hand after about a minute of thought.

Zhigalov Wins a Nice One

Razz

Thomas Taylor had AX showing and completed, before Andrey Zhigalov raised with 4X. Taylor then put in a three-bet and Zhigalov called. After Taylor got KX
and Zhigalov got 2X
, Taylor check-folded to Zhigalov's bet.

Taylor in Dire Straits

Omaha Hi-Lo

Andrey Zhigalov raised on the button. Thomas Taylor defended his big blind and check-called all three streets on the 5♥8♥10♦9♥2♠ board.

Zhigalov tabled A♦8♦6♥4♥ for the second-nut low and a six-high flush, and was awarded the entire pot when Taylor mucked his cards.

"He's on the ropes," railbird Benny Glaser encouraged Zhigalov as he raked in the chips.

Taylor’s Rail Is Getting Into It

Stud Hi-Lo

Thomas Taylor completed, and Andrey Zhigalov called. On fourth street Taylor called a bet from Zhigalov.

On fifth street Taylor led the betting and Zhigalov mucked to give the pot to Taylor, which got a big eruption from his crowd.

Zhigalov Takes Down Another

Stud

Thomas Taylor completed and Andrey Zhigalov called.

Zhigalov check-called a bet from Taylor on fourth street, and both players checked on fifth street. After 6th, Zhigalov made a bet and Taylor folded to give another pot to Zhigalov.

Zhigalov Catches Taylor Speeding to Overtake the Chip Lead


Omaha Hi-Lo

Thomas Taylor raised on the button and Andrey Zhigalov made the call.

The flop came 7♣K♦10♦and Zhigalov decided to lead out for a bet, and Taylor called.

The turn was the 8♣ and Zhigalov check-called a bet, to see the J♠ on the river.

Zhigalov then checked once more, and once Taylor bet, Zhigalov quickly called and Taylor said "You win" as Zhigalov tabled K♣J♦6♣3♠

Taylor Even Things Out

Limit Hold'em

Thomas Taylor raised his button, calling when Andrey Zhigalov made it three bets to go from the big blind.

Zhigalov bet the 4♥3♥A♠ flop, 2♣ turn, and 2♥river, with Taylor calling him down. Zhigalov showed A♥6♥for the nut flush, and Taylor mucked what he claimed was an ace with a higher kicker.

Break Time

The heads-up opponents have been sent on a small break. The battle will resume when they both return to the table.

Zhigalov Gets Taylor to Fold

Stud Hi-Lo

Thomas Taylor completed, and Andrey Zhigalov raised, which Thomas called.

Thomas check-called a bet on fourth street, but once he checked again on fifth and Zhigalov bet, Taylor gave up his hand to give the pot to Zhigalov.

Taylor Gathers Overwhelming Lead

Seven Card Stud

Thomas Taylor: XXXX/J♥4♦K♠10♦/XX

Andrey Zhigalov: XXXX/J♦6♥3♣8♣/XX

Thomas Taylor completed, Andrey Zhigalov raised, and Taylor called. Zighalov continued firing on fourth street, receiving another call.

The betting lead changed on fifth street, and Taylor used it to lead out. Zhigalov just called, as did he when Taylor bet again on sixth street.

A final bet followed on seventh street, but Zhigalov found a fold after weighing his options for a while.