Justin Zaki emerged victorious in the $25,000 buy-in finale at the 2025 PokerGO Cup, claiming the title and a $417,000 payday. This marks the third-largest cash of the Florida poker pro’s career, bringing his lifetime earnings to over $6.5 million.
Zaki secured the win after defeating PokerGO Cup series champion Joey Weissman in a heads-up battle. The victory was his fifth recorded tournament title, achieved across 270 in-the-money finishes.
With this win, Zaki earned 420 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points. It was his second final-table appearance of 2025, having previously finished third in a $10,000 event at the Lucky Hearts Poker Open for $94,700 and 280 POY points. He now sits inside the top 100 in the POY rankings, presented by Global Poker.
Key Eliminations
The day’s first elimination saw short-stacked Jesse Lonis move all-in with K-7, trailing Clemen Deng’s A-4 in a blind-vs-blind battle. Deng paired his ace to send Lonis out in seventh place ($59,000), pushing his career earnings past $14.8 million.
Next, Michael Berk called off his last 11 big blinds with A-Q against Christian Roberts’ K-3. Roberts flopped top pair and held, eliminating Berk in sixth place for $81,125. This was already Berk’s fourth final-table finish of the year, placing him 11th in the overall POY standings with 1,450 points.
Five-handed play lasted about 90 minutes before Roberts found himself at risk with A♥ Q♥ against Zaki’s J♠ 10♥. Zaki, after raising from the small blind, four-bet shoved over Roberts’ three-bet. The board ran out A♠ J♥ 7♣ 5♦ 10♣, giving Zaki two pair and sending Roberts out in fifth place ($110,625). It was Roberts’ second final-table appearance of the series, pushing his career earnings past $1.9 million.
On the very next hand, Sam Soverel moved all-in with Q♥ Q♣ for his last four blinds, only to run into Weissman’s A♠ A♣. The board provided no help, eliminating Soverel in fourth place ($147,500). The two-time bracelet winner is now nearing the $25 million mark in lifetime cashes.
Deng followed in third place ($206,500) after calling off his last nine big blinds with K♠ 5♥ against Weissman’s A♦ K♣. Weissman flopped an ace, sealing Deng’s fate and awarding him the fourth-largest cash of his career.
Heads-Up Showdown
Zaki entered heads-up play with a chip lead of 5,100,000 to Weissman’s 3,745,000. After an intense battle, the two struck a deal, locking up at least $350,000 each, with $417,000 and the trophy still on the line.
A pivotal hand saw Weissman limp in with 10♥ 10♣, prompting Zaki to raise to 400,000 with A♥ 10♦. Weissman three-bet to 1,000,000, and Zaki responded with a four-bet shove for 3,925,000. Weissman called, covering Zaki by just 900,000. The board ran out K♦ J♣ 8♥ Q♦ 4♥, giving Zaki an ace-high straight and a commanding lead.
Shortly after, Weissman moved all-in for his last seven big blinds with K♠ 2♦, and Zaki called with 10♦ 7♥. The flop came 10♠ 10♣ A♥, all but securing the win for Zaki. The 6♠ turn and 6♣ river completed the board, giving Zaki a full house and the title. Weissman, making his fourth final table of the series, settled for second place.
Weissman Dominates the Series
Despite finishing as runner-up, Weissman’s consistent deep runs made him the clear PokerGO Cup series champion. He ended with 758 points and $930,600 in total earnings, moving into first place in the season-long PokerGO Tour (PGT) standings with 907 points.
Weissman also jumped to the top of the POY rankings, having reached seven final tables and secured one title in 2025. With 2,477 POY points and over $1 million in POY earnings, he continues to add to his impressive career total of nearly $8.8 million in lifetime cashes.
2025 PokerGO Cup Event #8 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Justin Zaki | $417,000 |
| 2 | Joey Weissman | $350,000 |
| 3 | Clemen Deng | $206,500 |
| 4 | Sam Soverel | $147,500 |
| 5 | Christian Roberts | $110,625 |
| 6 | Michael Berk | $81,125 |
| 7 | Jesse Lonis | $59,000 |
