Will Kassouf was on the right side of an aces versus kings clash this time around deep in the World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event.
It’s already been a Main Event run to remember, and the controversial Englishman was in the thick of it once again during Day 6 of poker’s World Championship.
Jun Obara opened the hijack to 500,000 and Martin Zamani flatted on the button. In the small blind, Sergio Aido would use a time bank before he announced all-in for 5,855,000. Obara rejammed and Zamani folded.
Sergio Aido: K♣J♣
Jun Obara: 9♥9♦
It was a flip with massive implications as the flop came A♠J♥3♠ to pair Aido. He was able to hold through the 6♠3♦ runout as he dragged a massive one to swap stacks with Obara.
Sam Soverel kicked the action off with a raise to 500,000 from the hijack. The only player to call was Martin Zamani, defending his big blind.
The dealer spread a 8♠A♥10♣ flop and Zamani check-called a bet of 350,000.
Both players checked on the 3♣ turn, before Zamani decided to take over the betting lead on the 6♣ river.
Zamani placed a bet of 2,100,000, which left a tortured-looking Soverel unsure of what to do. He went deep into the tank, thinking through the hand. Nine time extensions were used before he managed to reach a decision, ultimately choosing to call.
"Straight", announced Zamani, turning over 9♦7♣. This was good enough to earn him the pot as Soverel mucked his cards.
Alexandre Reard opened the button to 500,000. In the small blind, Vinny Lingham had a long think before he announced call, and Sam Soverel folded his big blind.
The J♥8♣7♠ flop checked through to the 4♣ turn which saw Lingham quickly lead for 675,000. Reard then cut out a raise to 2,000,000, and Lingham laid it down after a small tank, as the French rail cheered for their man as he scooped another pot at the final table.
Khoi Le Nguyen raised to 500,000 from middle position, receiving calls from both Martin Zamani on the button and the player in the big blind.
Both the big blind and Nguyen checked on the 9♥5♥A♠ flop, prompting Zamani to place a bet of 725,000. The big blind player folded, but Nguyen made the call.
The action was short and sweet from that moment as both players checked the 8♠ turn and the 9♠ river.
Nguyen revealed A♣10♣, which was good enough to claim the pot as Zamani mucked his cards.
Nick Schulman, in his first year of eligibility, reached the pinnacle of his industry on Friday when he was revealed as the 2025 Poker Hall of Fame inductee.