The 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) is already filled with drama, but few stories match the sheer shock and awe of what happened on Day 2 of Event #1: $1,000 Mystery Millions. Thomas Zanot, a poker player now residing in Las Vegas, pulled the second $1 million mystery bounty of the tournament — and for those who follow poker, this isn’t even the wildest chapter in his career.
In fact, Zanot is becoming something of a legend. Just two years ago, he hit a ₹53 crore (USD $6.4 million) Pai Gow progressive jackpot at the Flamingo casino. And now, he’s added another ₹8.34 crore (USD $1 million) prize to his collection — this time on poker’s biggest stage.
Mystery Millions Brings Millionaires
The Mystery Millions event kicked off the WSOP 2025 with an astonishing 19,654 entries, setting the tone for a summer of massive action. The format is simple but electric — knockout a player, get an envelope, and hope it holds a life-changing bounty.
Tyler Montoya was the first to pull a ₹8.34 crore envelope early in the day. He was eliminated shortly after, but walked away richer than the eventual tournament winner will be.
Then came Zanot’s moment.
“Let’s Go!” – Another Jackpot for Zanot
Thomas Zanot opened his envelope, saw the magic number, clenched his fist, and shouted “Let’s go!” into the mic in the Paris Ballroom. He had hit the second $1 million mystery bounty. Unlike Montoya, Zanot was still in the tournament and could potentially double up by shipping the title.
But here’s what makes this surreal: this wasn’t his first jackpot. Or even his biggest.
Flashback to 2023: The ₹53 Crore Pai Gow Miracle
In January 2023, Zanot was sitting at a Pai Gow table at the Flamingo, grinding through 300–400 hands. He was down about ₹31,000 (USD $375) when he hit a once-in-a-lifetime seven-card straight flush, using the joker to complete the run.
With just a ₹415 (USD $5) side bet, he took home a check for ₹53,21,09,000 (USD $6,443,401).
That win alone was historic. Now, with another ₹8.34 crore in mystery bounty winnings, Zanot has officially joined the rare club of poker players with multiple seven-figure jackpots.
A Reputation for Fire — and Fortune
Zanot isn’t just known for jackpots. During the 2024 WSOP Main Event, he made headlines for confronting an angle-shooter at another table. Though not involved in the hand, he called out the behavior, leading to a penalty from tournament staff. That fire, though controversial, shows his commitment to fairness and his deep investment in the game.
Between his aggressive style, massive wins, and outspoken personality, Zanot has become one of the most talked-about players in poker.
What Comes Next?
At the time of writing, Thomas Zanot is still in the Mystery Millions tournament. If he wins, he could walk away with a second ₹8.34 crore prize, cementing one of the most profitable single-event runs in WSOP history.
Whether it’s Pai Gow or poker, Zanot has shown that in the game of life, he knows how to play the right hands — and when to trust fate.
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