2025 World Series of Poker

Once again, Paul Sincere entered a raising war on the Q♦7♠4♥flop that put Igor Zektser at risk.

Igor Zektser: A♦A♠9♣6♥5♥ All in
Paul Sincere: A♣K♠K♦4♣2♦

A bit of a cold deck, both players had monsters but Zektser's aces had Sincere's kings pipped and when board completed the 9♠ and J♦they were good for a full scoop and to put Zektser.

A Few Hands Later:

A short-stacked Sincere got his chips in and at risk on a flop of 6♣10♥4♠ Zektser made the call.

Paul Sincere: Q♦9♣9♥4♥4♣ All in
Igor Zektser: K♣8♣7♥5♦4♦

Siincere needed high cards but it was Zektser's day when the 3♦ , giving Zektser the straight, and the board didn't pair with the 5♣bringing the tournament to a close.

Both players developed a comradery over the four days of play and shoot hands, congratulating each other on the deep runs.

Hand 1:

Igor Zektser was in good position to win three quarters of the pot on a flop of A♠4♦6♣when he got it in against Paul Sincere.

Igor Zektser: A♥10♣8♠7♥4♣ All in
Paul Sincere: A♣K♦9♦8♦7♠

Zekster had two pair and a 8-7 low to Sincere's pair of aces and same low. Then the board ran out 9♠ and Q♣, Sincere improved to a better two pair, aces and nines, for the high and they chopped the low. This left Zekster at an all time low with only a few million chips after the pot was divvied up.

Hand 2:

The very next hand Sincere seemed poised to win the tournament on a flop of Q♦9♦8♣after he raised Zektser all in and got a call.

Igor Zektser: Q♣J♣J♥9♠5♥ All in
Paul Sincere: A♠Q♠J♦10♣5♦

Sincere had flopped a straight and the diamond draw, but when the 5♣ and A♣fell off the deck, Zektser scooped the pot with his backdoor flush, since neither player made a low.

Hand 3:

Another action flop of K♠5♥6♥ had both players put their chips in the middle and Zektser was at risk again.

Igor Zektser: A♥Q♣J♠8♥2♦ All in
Paul Sincere: Q♥Q♠9♦5♠2♥

Sincere had a pair of queens and a worse flush draw than Zektser, who had the nut-flush draw and nut-low draw. His flush came in when the J♥ turned, making the 10♦ river irrelevant since no low was possible, Zektser doubled again.

Zektser went from nearly out the door to well in contention in a matter of three hands.

Paul Sincere: 23,275,000

Paul Sincere bet 1,800,000 on a flop of 9♠10♥6♦ and Igor Zektser raised to 4,200,000. Sincere almost beat him in the pot declaring all in for enough to put Zekster at risk.

Zekster stood up, looked at his cards several times, but ultimately pushed his hand forward.

"I flopped the joint, I guess I shouldn't have blown my load so fast.", said Sincere as he collected the pot.

Paul Sincere bet 3,600,000 on a flop of 6♠9♠7♣ and Igor Zektser made the call.

The turn peeled the 8♠ and Sincere went all in for his remaining 9,600,000. Zekster eventually pushed his hand in the muck after Sincere said, "You said you don't like folding so I have to bet big.".

Paul Sincere backpedaled the first few hands of the day before this pot came.

Igor Zektser and Sincere saw a flop of A♥9♦2♣ in a limped pot. Both players checked

The turn peeled the 6♦ and Sincere bet 1,000,000. Zektser called.

The river brought the 10♦ and Sincere went all in for 2,950,000 and Sincere called.

Paul Sincere: K♦J♦9♣7♣2♥ All in
Igor Zektser: K♥8♦7♠6♠4♥

Sincere's flush was good for the hi and Zektser took the low.

I’m glad to see Igor heads up in the Big O bracelet! Well deserved sir!

End of Night

The players have agreed to bag their chips and restart for an unscheduled Day 4, taking place tomorrow, June 10 at 1:00 p.m. local time.

Ryan Hoenig Elimimated in 3rd Place ($141,315)

With two players seeing a board of 5♠9♥2♣9♦8♠ and 2,000,000 in the middle, Ryan Hoenig bet 1,900,000 from the small blind and Igor Zektser announced a pot-sized raise to 7,700,00, enough to put Hoenig all-in. Hoenig went into the tank for about a minute before calling.

Zektser showed K♠K♦4♣4♠3♦ for two pair, kings and nines and four-three for the low. Hoenig stared at his hand for a few seconds to confirm he did not have Zektser beat for either half before mucking his hand, ending his deep run in third place.

Hoenig Quartered by Zektser

Ryan Hoenig limped in from the button, Paul Sincere called from the small blind and Igor Zektser checked his option from the big blind.

All three players checked the A♥J♣4♦flop leading to the 6♣ turn. Sincere checked and Igor bet 1,000,000. Hoenig raised to 2,900,000, Sincere folded and Igor announced pot. Hoenig, who started the hand with around 10,000,000, called for his tournament life.

Ryan Hoenig: J♥7♥6♠3♦2♥ All in
Igor Zektser: 8♦7♣4♠3♥2♣

Both players had the nut-low draw but Hoenig was ahead for the high with two pair, needing to fade only a five or a club to quarter Zektser. The A♣ river completed Zektser's flush draw and he took half of Hoenig's stack.

Sincere Puts Hoenig in the Blender

Ryan Hoenig limped from the button, Paul Sincere limped behind from the small blind and Igor Zektser checked his option in the big blind.

The flop came K♥Q♠5♠and Sincere fired a pot-sized 1,600,000 bet. Only Hoenig called.

Sincere announced pot on the 8♣
turn, betting 4,800,000. Hoenig went into the tank.

"Paul, Paul Paul..." Hoenig said as he pondered his decision

"What do you have over there?" Sincere replied. Hoenig said nothing.

"I know exactly what you have because I have the rest of it" Sincere continued.

Another minute went by as Hoenig agonized over the decision. "We were supposed to get heads-up together" Hoenig joked to his friend.

Another minute went by before Hoenig mucked. Sincere did not show, but told Hoenig that he had top two pair and the second-nut flush draw.

Hoenig mentioned that he had folded a set and was in pretty good shape against Sincere's hand as Sincere dragged in the pot.

A Sincere Celebration; Zekster Takes it on the Chin

Heads up to a turn of 10♣6♥3♣3♦, Paul Sincere checked and Igor Zektser bet 500,000. Sincere responded with a raise to 1,700,000.

After a short deliberations, Zektser raised enough to put his opponent's remaining chips at risk. Sincere called.

Paul Sincere: Q♥6♦5♣4♣3♠All in
Igor Zektser: K♥J♦J♣10♠3♥

Zektser was looking poised to scoop with his turned boat against the trip threes and low draw of Sincere.

"High card! Not a queen..." Zektser said as the Q♠ rolled off the deck, giving Sincere a better board.

"Let's go!!" Sincere shouted, as he was already out of his seat and doing a lap to celebrate with his rail.

Zektser Extends His Lead

Ryan Hoenig opened to 800,000 from the button and Igor Zektser defended from the big blind.

The flop came Q♥8♣3♠and Zektser check-called a 600,000 bet from Hoenig.

Both players checked the 9♥turn leading to the 10♠river. Zektser checked, Hoenig bet 1,325,000 and Zektser called.

Hoenig tabled a straight with A♣10♦7♦6♥4♥but Zektser had a higher straight with A♠J♥9♦5♥3♦
to win the hand.

Break

Players are now on a 15-minute break.

Zekster Slow Plays and Gets Value


Shiva Dudani raised to 400,000 and Igor Zektser called from the blind.

The flop rolled 10♦5♣K♥ and both players checked.

The turn peeled the 5♥ and they both tapped the table again.

The river was the J♣ and Zektser bet an even 1,000,000. Dudani made mention that they were likely chopping when he called.

Zekster assured him they were not and tabled A♦K♣K♠Q♥2X.

Joshua Biedak Elimimated in 6th Place ($55,372)

Joshua Biedak raised the last of his stack preflop for approx. 800,000 and Igor Zektser made the call out of the blind.

Joshua Biedak: J♠8♠8♦5♦4♣ All in
Igor Zektser: A♥Q♥J♥10♥9♠

Biedak was rooting for spades when the A♠7♥J♣ scrolled across the board but the J♦ closed the door on his hopes as Zektser made a full house. The river fell an irrelevant Q♣.

A comradery had been formed amongst the remaining players and Biedak went around the table and congratulated the remaining players.