The Final Hand: WSOP 2025 Closes with Fireworks, Firsts & Unforgettable Pokerbet Moments
- Team Pokerbet

- Jul 17
- 4 min read

The cards have fallen. The chips are counted. And what a journey it’s been.
From the heart-thumping Day 1 shuffles to the roar of the crowd at the final river card — WSOP 2025 will go down as one of the most electric tournaments in modern poker history. And at the centre of it all? Legends rising. Barriers breaking. And Team Pokerbet holding the flag high from Vegas to South Africa and beyond.
The Grinder" Grinds His Way to Glory
Cue the confetti… Michael “The Grinder” Mizrachi has done it.
In a Main Event that was as unpredictable as it was unforgettable, Mizrachi emerged from a record-breaking 10,112-entry field to claim the 2025 WSOP Main Event title and an eye-watering $10 million payday.
When the WSOP released the nominees for this year's Poker Hall of Fame inductee earlier this summer, Mizrachi's name was conspicuously absent. But he then did the unthinkable when he won the $50,000 PPC for an unprecedented fourth time, seemingly making his induction next year a mere formality.
The Road to the Title Was No Walk in the Park:
The final table was a powder keg of rising stars and seasoned pros, including:
Kenny Halleart - The Belgian who came sixth in the 2016 WSOP Main Event
Adam Hendrix - The American poker pro with over $10 million in career earnings.
Leo Margets – the Spanish icon whose deep run would inspire a new wave of women in poker globally.
But it was Mizrachi who controlled the narrative. He picked his spots with sniper precision. He played small-ball when needed, laid down monster hands with razor-sharp discipline, and flipped the switch at just the right moments to build momentum.
“It was textbook Mizrachi,” one Vegas regular said. “He set the trap, sprung it, and never looked back.”
Heads-Up for History
When the dust settled, it was Mizrachi heads-up against fellow American John Wasnock, an amateur with previous lifetime earnings of just $143,463 prior to the incredible $6,000,000 payday for his second place finish.
The final hand? A poetic ending. Mizrachi flopped a flush draw, Wasnock two pair, and all the chips went in on the turn after Mizrachi made his ten high flush. The Grinder faded an Ace and a nine on the river to secure the epic victory, and his place in the annals of Poker history.
Legacy Cemented
This wasn’t just a win, it was a full-circle moment. Mizrachi, already a household name in poker, had now captured the biggest prize in the game. A mixture of awe, celebration, and sheer poker joy as he raised the bracelet high and waved to fans.
“This means everything,” he said through tears. “It took me 20 years, but I finally got here.”
Leo Margets: Queen of Hearts
While Mizrachi claimed the crown, it was Leo Margets who captured the world’s imagination.
Her 7th-place finish marked one of the deepest Main Event runs by a woman in WSOP history — and the poker world felt it. Socials lit up with love. Players across the globe, from pros to up-and-comers, saluted her run. This wasn’t just a final table appearance — it was a statement.
“She didn’t just play the game. She changed it,” echoed through the hallways.
Leo’s grace under pressure, fearless play, and unwavering grit made it clear: the future of poker is inclusive, bold, and female-powered.
South Africa’s Rising Star: Tanith Rothman
If Leo shook the world, Tanith Rothman made South Africa proud.
Flying the flag high at WSOP 2025, Tanith didn’t just participate but she dominated with two deep runs that resulted in a first for any South African - making two final tables in the same WSOP. Tanith also cashed in her first ever WSOP Main Event, resulting in her winning herself in excess of $60,000 during the course of the Series. Whether it was her cold reads, disciplined folds, or the now-iconic “Rothman Raise” moment, Tanith played with power, heart, and undeniable class.
She stood as a beacon for African women in poker, inspiring local players with every move she made.

“This is for the girls back home watching,” she smiled in one of her post-game clips — and we felt it.
Team Pokerbet: The Vegas Voltage Was Real
What started with dream flights and chip stacks ended in chants, chaos, and chip counts. Team Pokerbet didn’t just show up to the WSOP — we lived it.
From airport check-ins and daily vlogs to backstage rails and all-night side games, the Pokerbet presence in Vegas was unmissable. The energy was electric. The support? Unshakable. The memories? Lifelong.
Relive every hand, hug, and highlight with our official WSOP journey playlist → Watch now.
So… Where To Next, Pokerbet Nation?
This was our WSOP. And we owned it.
But now we want to hear from you — where should Team Pokerbet go next? Monte Carlo? Manila? Back to Vegas? Greater Europe? Or maybe we bring the heat to the rising African poker scene?

Tell us in the comments. Dream big. Because you might be the next player on that flight, repping Team Pokerbet, eyes on the prize, and destiny on the river.
Winners know when to stop. The National Responsible Gambling Programme: 0800 006 008 or WHATSAPP HELP to 076 675 0710. Warning: Betting involves risk. By betting on Pokerbet.co.za, you run the risk that you may lose. For any further information or assistance, please contact us.














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