British Pro Claims $73,348 After Beating Elite 40-Player Field
British grinder Gavin “gavz101” Cochrane picked up an early New Year Series title on PokerStars after winning the $5,200 No-Limit Hold’em Titans event. Cochrane topped a compact but elite field of 40 entries, banking the $73,348 first prize from the $200,000 total prize pool.
Best known for his Pot-Limit Omaha results, Cochrane showed his all-around ability by navigating a tough NLHE lineup filled with established high-stakes regulars.
Star-Studded Lineup and a Brutal Bubble
As expected for a tournament at this buy-in level, the field read like a who’s who of online poker. Pascal “Pass_72” Lefrancois, Samuel “€urop€an” Vousden, Dimitar “KuuL” Danchev, and Ole “wizowizo” Schemion were all in action but failed to reach the money.
With only five paid spots available, the bubble was especially painful. Adrian “Amadi_017” Mateos fell in sixth place on his second bullet, narrowly missing a payout as the final player eliminated before the money.
Final Table Action
Once payouts began, Brazil’s “ferkovsk” was the first to exit in the money, collecting $15,206 for fifth place. Austria-based Montenegrin Dejan “dejanlc357” Kaladjurdjevic followed in fourth, earning $24,639.
The tone of the tournament shifted when Mikita “fish2013” Badziakouski was eliminated in third place for $36,282. Removing one of the most feared opponents in high-stakes tournaments cleared the way for a heads-up finish.
Cochrane faced Canada’s “777acenace77” in the final duel. The Canadian secured $50,523 for second place, while Cochrane closed out the match to lock up the title and the $73,348 top prize.
$5,200 NLHE Titans Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gavin “gavz101” Cochrane | United Kingdom | $73,348 |
| 2 | 777acenace77 | Canada | $50,523 |
| 3 | Mikita “fish2013” Badziakouski | Ukraine | $36,282 |
| 4 | Dejan “dejanlc357” Kaladjurdjevic | Austria | $24,639 |
| 5 | ferkovsk | Brazil | $15,206 |
Other New Year Series Winners
Several other well-known players also added New Year Series titles over the weekend. Ognyan “cocojamb0” Dimov won the $109 Progressive KO Warm-Up for $27,262, continuing a strong start to 2026 after his recent Sunday Million victory.
Canada’s “roo_400” claimed the $530 Warm-Up for $27,868, while Germany’s “Sintoras” won the $530 Bounty Builder High Roller, earning $26,079.
New Year Series Lucky Dip Offers Increased Value
Alongside the tournament action, PokerStars is offering added value through its New Year Series Lucky Dip promotion. Players receive a random score between 1 and 1,000,000 when they play their first hand in any New Year Series event. Playing additional tournaments earns more entries, with only the highest score counting.
From January 12 to 15, the top 491 scores receive prizes ranging from a $5.50 New Year Series ticket up to a $1,050 ticket. The rewards increase further on January 16 and 17, when the top score earns a $5,200 Main Event High ticket. The promotion concludes on January 18, when Power Path prizes are awarded, including a $10,300 Gold Power Pass for first place.
With marquee wins and growing promotional incentives, the PokerStars New Year Series continues to deliver high-stakes action as it moves toward its final days.
