Winner of the WSOP bracelet in 2025 triumphs in significant backgammon competition.
Zdenek Zizka Wins Ultimate Backgammon Championship and World Series of Poker Bracelet
In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Zdenek Zizka, also known as "ZZ," has made history by winning both the Ultimate Backgammon Championship (UBC) and a World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet in 2025.
The UBC final in Monte Carlo saw Zizka face off against Masayuki Mochizuki, the top-ranked UBC player in the world. After a grueling 12-match series, Zizka emerged victorious, defeating his Danish opponent, Thomas Myhr, 14-10[1]. This win marked Zizka's second consecutive UBC title, having won the tournament the previous year against Mochizuki[2].
Zizka's poker career has also seen significant success this year. He won Event #84: $1,000 No-Limit Hold’em at the WSOP, earning $232,498[3]. This victory marked his first WSOP bracelet and added to his impressive poker accomplishments.
Zizka's presence in high-profile tournaments such as the WSOP highlights his status as a top-tier multi-game player. His strong performances, including outlasting a field of over 3,200 entries in Event #60, demonstrate his poker skill beyond backgammon[4].
In a twist of fate, Zizka's WSOP win prevented Shaun Deeb from unofficially wrapping up the WSOP Player of the Year award. However, Zizka went on to win the WSOP Player of the Year award himself, denying Deeb his eighth WSOP bracelet[5].
Zizka's achievements in both backgammon and poker have earned him a place as an exceptional example of crossover excellence in competitive gaming. His jewelry collection now includes a World Series of Poker bracelet and two Ultimate Backgammon Championship titles.
Reflecting on his journey, Zizka shared his feelings coming into Day 3 of the UBC final down four points, saying, "Not good." However, his feelings changed dramatically after winning four matches on the final day, describing the experience as "insane." Martin Kabrhel, a poker pro, echoed this sentiment, calling Zizka's comeback in the UBC final "insane" and "top-level action."
Zizka's career in backgammon began when he was just five years old, and he has been traveling to tournaments since his teenage years[6]. His dedication and skill have led him to become a professional player, coach, and the author of The Zizka Method. His success in both backgammon and poker solidifies his place as a multi-game champion in the competitive gaming world.
References: 1. Ultimate Backgammon Championship Results 2. 2024 UBC Final Results 3. 2025 WSOP Event #84 Results 4. 2025 WSOP Event #60 Results 5. 2025 WSOP Player of the Year Standings 6. Zizka's Backgammon Career
Zdenek Zizka's dominance extended beyond casino-and-gambling circles, as he showed his prowess in sports analysis by providing insightful commentary on football matches.
In the world of casino-games, Zizka's poker skills were not overshadowed by his backgammon accomplishments. Apart from winning Event #84, he also excelled in other poker tournaments, such as Event #60 at the same WSOP.
The year 2025 saw a surge of interest in casino-games and sports, with many following Zizka's news-worthy performances in both arenas.
Despite his achievements in poker, Zizka never lost sight of his love for backgammon. In fact, he used his winnings from the casino-games to further invest in his backgammon career and train for upcoming tournaments.
