Alan Keating entered the final day of PokerGO’s Cash of the Titans in prime position to secure the $300,000 winner’s bonus. Instead, a missed flush draw in a $398,000 pot turned the tide, and Andrew Robl seized the moment to claim the overall victory.
A Unique High-Stakes Format
The made-for-TV series featured six players, each with $100,000 buy-ins and a strict six-rebuy cap. With blinds rising as high as $500/$1,000 and a $1,000 big blind ante, any player who lost $700,000 was eliminated. Beyond the swings of the table, the added $300,000 prize for the top earner ensured the action never slowed.
Two players exited before the final stretch. Darin Feinstein went broke for the full $700,000, while Andrew Pacheco left after a $200,000 loss. That left Keating, Robl, Justin Gavri, and Shawn Madden in contention heading into the decisive session. Keating held the chip lead with $454,300 in profit, but both Robl and Gavri were close enough to make it interesting.
The $398K Blow
Keating’s grip on first place slipped in a clash against Madden. After three-betting from the big blind with K♦4♦, Keating found himself up against Madden’s A♠K♠ on an A♦Q♦J♣ board. Holding both straight and flush possibilities, Keating called off Madden’s shove for $162,000.
The turn and river brought the Q♠ and 8♣, leaving Keating empty-handed and pushing the $398,000 pot to Madden. The hand not only cost Keating a commanding lead, it allowed Gavri to briefly move into the top spot.
Robl’s Closing Run
Gavri’s time in front didn’t last. Robl surged late, winning a $251,000 pot after making a flush on the river against Keating’s straight. In another key spot, Robl hit a perfect river to overtake Keating again, turning a vulnerable Q♠J♠ into the nuts.
Although Keating avoided further damage by checking behind, the momentum had shifted decisively. Robl maintained control through the final hands, while Gavri faded down the stretch.
Final Standings
Despite losing nearly $700,000 in one session, Keating still finished with $335,800 in profit across the series. Robl topped the leaderboard with $573,200, boosted further by the $300,000 winner’s bonus. Madden cashed out $249,200 ahead, and Gavri booked $128,700.
For Keating, the missed draw served as a brutal reminder of how thin the margins are at the highest levels — one card away from clinching the title, instead walking away just short of the ultimate prize.
