WSOP 2026: Alexander Kostritsyn Dominates the $25K H.O.R.S.E. Upon Return (Event #97)

Event #97: $25K H.O.R.S.E. was the final High Roller of this year's series, attracting the absolute elite, resulting in 148 entries and creating a massive prizepool of $3,478,000. The tournament was also crucial for the WSOP Player of the Year leaderboard, with Alex Foxen, Shaun Deeb, and Naoya Kihara vying for important points.

Kihara benefited the most, finishing in a commendable third place. The day's unluckiest player was Alex Foxen, who busted the bubble of the unofficial final table in Razz against Kostritsyn. Although he took home $60,789, both rivals edged past him in the POY standings.

The final heads-up against American Ali Eslami began with nearly equal stacks, but Kostritsyn gradually took control. The decisive moment came in Seven Card Stud, where Kostritsyn hit a set of kings, leaving Eslami with just a single chip. In the very last hand of the tournament, Kostritsyn completed two pairs, sealing the victory.

Known online as “joiso,” Alexander Kostritsyn swapped tournament marathons for cash games years ago. “I quit playing tournaments 14 years ago,” he stated after his triumph.

Despite playing only four tournaments this summer, he exhibited precise play in $25K H.O.R.S.E. “I tried to make as few mistakes as possible to need less luck for the win,” the champion added. In the wake of his victory, he also admitted he plans to play 25% of the full WSOP schedule next year.

Final Table Results of Event #97: $25,000 High Roller H.O.R.S.E.

Source: WSOP, WSOP Live

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