PGT PLO II: Main Event Seized by Chino Rheem, Crowned Overall Series Champion

Veselin Karakitukov Turned the Tables in Event #7 ($15,100 PLO)

Bulgarian player Veselin Karakitukov started as the chipleader at the final table of the seventh event but found himself on the short stack in the final three after Joao Simao's aggressive play. He entered heads-up play at nearly a three-to-one deficit. The tide turned in two pivotal hands: first, he hit quads on the turn to seize the lead, then held onto his aces against Simao’s top pair with a flush draw, pushing the Brazilian into a short stack. Karakitukov didn't let anything slip away and secured the trophy, $348,300, and 279 PGT points.

Final Table Results – Event #7 ($15,100 PLO):

Taylor Wilson Breaks Through at Mystery Bounty ($15,100)

Taylor Wilson was on the cusp of Omaha success all summer—twice finishing fourth (including Event #5)—but finally clinched a win. In Event #8: $15,100 PLO Mystery Bounty, a cautious start paved the way for momentum. Wilson advanced to heads-up, where the evening's pivotal moment unfolded: Wilson successfully bluffed Normand out of a strong hand, turning the tide in his favor.

Shortly after, Wilson hit two pairs to secure victory, and opening the final three mystery envelopes ($5,000, $50,000, $125,000) brought his bounty total to $190,000—adding $195,000 for the win, totaling $385,000. Wilson gained 234 PGT points, which moved him to second in the overall standings behind leader Sean Winter (459 points).

Final Table Results – Event #8 ($15,100 Mystery Bounty):

Bryce Yockey Wins Again ($15,100 PLO)

Bryce Yockey started the ninth event's final table with the shortest stack, but a few hours later, he was lifting the trophy. A quick double through Veselin Karakitukov kicked off his resurgence. Meanwhile, Isaac “Ike” Haxton knocked out Sean Rafael and shortly afterward, Matthew Wantman.

The turning point came against chipleader Artur Martirosyan: with a king-high flush draw, Yockey went all-in against top pair and a straight-flush draw. After this hand, Yockey claimed the chiplead, which he never relinquished. He eliminated Karakitukov and Haxton, then in heads-up, defeated Ben Tollerene. The reward? $290,000 and 232 PGT points (487 total), propelling him to the top of the leaderboard before the final series event, making the overall champion decision come down to the wire.

Final Table Results – Event #9 ($15,100 PLO):

Saving the Best for Last – Chino Rheem Wraps Up the Series in Style

The final tournament of the series raised the buy-in to $25,200, resulting in 68 total buy-ins. Eleven players reached the final, but Yockey did not. As the points leader, he could only watch and hope his lead would hold, as five players among the final eleven had a chance to overtake him by winning: Chino Rheem, Sam Soverel, Joao Simao, Alex Foxen, and Sean Rafael.

Rheem started the final day in fourth but held nearly half the chips when six remained. He secured the chiplead in a massive pot against Artem Maksimov and held it. Jason Mercier finished sixth, followed by Maksimov, and fourth place went to Sam Soverel. This left Chino Rheem as the only player left who could seize the series title from Yockey by finishing first or second.

Rheem succeeded; Haxton knocked out Joao Simao, and Rheem managed to outlast his final opponent. He claimed $510,000, 306 PGT points, and the trophy, sealing the PLO Series II championship, earning the PGT Gold Cup and a $10,000 PGT Passport, becoming the first-ever PGT player with three series titles. Rheem's victory also moved him to second place in the annual PGT standings (2,340 points – first is Alex Foxen with 2,816 points) and expanded his trophy collection to 8 PGT titles.

Main Event Results of PGT PLO Series II:

Sources – PGT, X