In 2025, David Shmuel Secures First WSOP Bracelet in Omaha Hi-Lo Event, Taking Home a Prize of $205,333.
Let's Dish on the 2025 WSOP - Bracelet Number Two Goes to Shmuel!
ahrar! Check this out - the second bracelet of the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) has been handed out, and it's gone to David Shmuel! This dude dominated Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better after a thrilling three-day showdown at the Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.
Shmuel navigated a whopping 910-player field to secure his very first WSOP bracelet, banking $205,333 from the $1,208,025 prize pool[2][5]. Impressively, he led the pack from day one, even bagging the chip lead on Day 1 and entering the final day in second position. Shmuel kept his A-game throughout the final table and, in heads-up against Omaha specialist, Joe Ford, he confidently sealed the deal[3][6].
This isn't Shmuel's first six-figure score - his poker career has seen another two cashes of $174,734 and $124,476 for third and fourth place finishes at the Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open in 2023 and 2024[1][4][7]. With this victory, his live tournament earnings now surpass $1.4 million[7].
As for Joe Ford, he once again came close to winning a bracelet (damn, man!). He previously finished fourth in this very event back in 2013 and now boasts five cashes in Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better WSOP events[3][6]. Even though Ford just missed out on that coveted first bracelet, the long summer ahead still has 98 more bracelets to be awarded at the 2025 WSOP!
- Brush up on the action: Phovieng Keokham Completes a Comeback to Win First Bracelet of the Summer
- Canadian insights: Big Stories for Canadians as the 2025 WSOP Begins
- British chatter: British Adventures in Las Vegas Begin
2025 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better Final Table Recap
Sixteen gamblers kicked things off on Day 3 of the first mixed game event at the 2025 WSOP, with the goal of adding their name to the prestigious list of WSOP champions[8]. With three-time bracelet winner Chris Vitch bouncing in 10th place, a new name was indeed written in the history books.
Kevin Pier's elimination in ninth marked the official final table, with Darren Taylor leading the way with 5.2 million in chips[9][10]. Just behind him with 4.6 million was Ilia Krupin.
Joseph Bertrand managed to squeeze into his first-ever WSOP final table, sitting on less than one big bet[11][12]. Unfortunately, his run came to an end in 8th place when Krupin flopped a flush, and no low hand qualified[12].
Joe Ford, who entered the final table as the second shortest stack, quickly gained momentum and surged to the chip lead in under an hour[13][14]. Among the casualties of his hot streak was the Day 1 chip leader, Melvin McCraney, who exited in 7th for $26,403.[13]
Canadian Patrick Stacey was next to pack his bags, with a three-bet vs Krupin sending him to the rail in 6th place[15][16]. In fifth, Russian Ilia Krupin found himself short-stacked and knocked out by Gregory Wood, who scooped a better ace and a low with top two pair[17][18].
With four players remaining, Shmuel and Ford started to pull away from the pack[19][20]. In the elimination hand, Darren Taylor moved all-in with A♣7♠6♥2♠ and was dominated by Shmuel's A♦10♥3♠2♣[21]. The board offered no help to Taylor, and he said his goodbyes with $95,253 in his pocket[22].
From there, it was one-way traffic as Shmuel held a nearly 2:1 chip lead, going into heads-up play with Ford[23]. In the final hand, Ford got his chips in with Q♠8♥4♠2♠ but was dominated by Shmuel's A♠A♥K♠K♦[24]. The board didn't offer any help, and the aces held. With that, David Shmuel claimed his first WSOP bracelet, taking home the $205,333 top prize[2][5], while Joe Ford took home a strong 2nd place prize of $136,855[3][6].
That's all, folks! Let the 98 remaining bracelets be won!
- Hands shared by pokernews.com*
Source:
[1] pokernews.com - Author Unknown, "2025 WSOP: Phovieng Keokham Completes Comeback to Win First Bracelet of the Summer", https://twitter.com/PokerNews
[2] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[3] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker Wraps Up First Week with 34 Events in the Rearview", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-wraps-up-first-week-34-events-in-the-rearview-66071.htm
[4] thehendonmob.com - David Shmuel, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=1454585
[5] worldseriesofpoker.com - Author Unknown, "Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better", https://wsop.com/tournament/events/2025-wsop-event-4-omaha-hi-lo-8-or-better/
[6] thehendonmob.com - Joseph Ford, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=1454472
[7] thehendonmob.com - David Shmuel, "2023 - Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open - Event #9 $25,500 High Roller NLH - Section 1", https://www.thehendonmob.com/tournament/event.php?t=1277108
[8] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker Kicks Off Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-kicks-off-event-4-1-500-omaha-hi-lo-8-or-better-66004.htm
[9] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 3 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-3-live-updates-66065.htm
[10] thehendonmob.com - Darren Taylor, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2441829
[11] thehendonmob.com - Joseph Bertrand, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=594217
[12] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 3 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-3-live-updates-66065.htm
[13] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[14] thehandsonmob.com - Joseph Ford, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=1454472
[15] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[16] thehendonmob.com - Patrick Stacey, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2581665
[17] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 3 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-3-live-updates-66065.htm
[18] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker Wraps Up First Week with 34 Events in the Rearview", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-wraps-up-first-week-34-events-in-the-rearview-66071.htm
[19] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[20] thehendonmob.com - David Shmuel, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=1454585
[21] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[22] thehendonmob.com - Darren Taylor, https://www.thehendonmob.com/player.php?a=r&n=2441829
[23] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker: Day 4 Live Updates", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-day-4-live-updates-66120.htm
[24] pokernews.com - Albert Oswald, "2025 World Series of Poker Wraps Up First Week with 34 Events in the Rearview", https://www.pokernews.com/tours/world-series-of-poker/2025-wsop-wraps-up-first-week-34-events-in-the-rearview-66071.htm
In the thrilling 2025 WSOP Event #4: $1,500 Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better, David Shmuel showcased his poker skills to claim victory over Joe Ford and secure his first WSOP bracelet. Among the numerous casino games featured, this event highlighted competitions in poker, specifically Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better. Shmuel's triumph offers yet another opportunity for casino-and-gambling enthusiasts to follow and enjoy championship-level casino-games play.
