Zdenek Zizka Adds WSOPC Ring to the Bracelet He Won Last Summer

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Jan 09, 2026 2 min read

The 2026 World Series of Poker Circuit (WSOPC) King's Resort is in full swing in Rozvadov, with eight of the 12 gold ring awarding events done and dusted. While most of the champions are mostly known on a local level, one, Zdenek Zizka, is rapidly approaching global fame.

Zizka was a relative unknown until the summer of 2025. The backgammon pro flew to Las Vegas under the radar but returned to his native Czech Republic as a WSOP champion. Zika triumphed in the $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em event toward the end of the 2025 WSOP, taking home $232,498 and his first gold bracelet. The Czech star defeated Shaun Deeb heads-up, denying Deeb what would have been his eighth bracelet.

A few months later, Zizka became a millionaire overnight after taking down the $100,000 Super High Roller Main Event at the Brazilian Series of Poker (BSOP). Zizka left the likes of Gabriel Tavares, Ottomar Ladva, fellow countryman Martin Kabrhel, and Renan Bruschi in his wake at the final table before defeating Felipe Boianovsky heads-up to clinch a top prize worth $1,200,000.

Although this latest victory did not come with a six or seven-figure prize – Zizka banked €32,500 – it did come with a coveted gold WSOPC ring. Zizka outlasted 545 opponents in the €600 No-Limit Hold'em Mystery Bounty event to add yet another trophy to his cabinet.

Zizka's attention is now likely to turn to the WSOPC Main Event. The first of five flights in the €1,500 buy-in, €1 million guaranteed tournament shuffles up and deals on Janaury 9. The eventual champion is crowned on January 13, and it would not be surprising to see Zizka in contention for a second ring based on his current form.

€600 NLHE Mystery Bounty Final Table Results

_{Prizes do not include mystery bounty payments}

2026 WSOPC King's Resort Results So Far

Italy's Andrea Iocco is the biggest single winner of the 2026 WSOPC King's Resort so far, courtesy of becoming the champion of the €330 Mini Main. This event drew 1,602 entrants, including re-entries, who fought it out for a share of the €500,000 prize pool. Iotto was the last man standing, and he received €62,000 and his first gold WSOPC ring.

Germany's Quirin Zech is another player who got his hands on a WSOPC ring. Zech, who was the runner-up to Dusan Despotovic in the €2,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event at the 2025 WSOPE, triumphed in the €2,000 PLO tournament at this WSOPC. Along with his first ring, Zech banked €29,900.

Matthew Pitt hails from Leeds, West Yorkshire, in the United Kingdom, and has worked in the poker industry since 2008, and worked for PokerNews since 2010. In September 2010, he became the editor of PokerNews. Matthew stepped away from live reporting duties in 2015, and now concentrates on his role of Senior Editor for the PokerNews.

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• Tags Dusan Despotovic Felipe Boianovsky Gabriel Tavares Las Vegas Martin Kabrhel Omaha Ottomar Ladva Renan Bruschi Shaun Deeb WSOP WSOPE World Series of Poker Zdenek Zizka
• Related Tournaments World Series of PokerWorld Series of Poker Europe (WSOPE)
• Related Players Shaun DeebMartin KabrhelRenan BruschiGabriel TavaresFelipe BoianovskyOttomar Ladva