Andrew Lichtenberger kicked off the 2026 PokerGO Tour season with a repeat victory in Event #1 of the PGT Kickoff Series. He topped a field of 135 entries in the $5,100 No-Limit Hold’em tournament to claim $162,000 and 324 PGT points. The win, which came in a double-points event, propelled him to the top of the early leaderboard and marked his eighth career PGT title, tying him for fourth on the all-time list.
The series, held from January 26 to 31 at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, includes six events with buy-ins between $5,100 and $10,100. Each tournament awards double points toward the season-long standings, heightening the stakes for early performers.
Lichtenberger’s success built on his recent momentum. Just weeks prior, he took second place in the PGT End-of-Year Freeroll for $200,000. He also entered the year as the defending champion of this opener, having won the $5,100 event in 2025 for $117,000.
At the final table, Lichtenberger outlasted a competitive lineup that featured Jeremy Eyer in second for $97,875 and 196 points, Shannon Shorr in third for $70,875 and 142 points, Cary Katz in fourth for $54,000 and 108 points, Ethan “Rampage” Yau in fifth for $40,500 and 81 points, Peter Mugar in sixth for $33,750 and 68 points, and Spencer Champlin in seventh for $27,000 and 54 points.
A decisive moment came when Yau, the well-known YouTube poker vlogger, clashed with Lichtenberger in a preflop all-in. Yau held A♥A♣, but Lichtenberger’s K♥K♦ connected on the K♠4♠5♠ flop for a set. The board ran out with 10♣ on the turn and 8♣ on the river, sealing Yau’s elimination and strengthening Lichtenberger’s path to the title.
The opener drew 135 entries, a sharp rise from the 84 seen in the previous year’s equivalent event. Unique players increased from 54 to 81, while re-entries jumped from 30 to 64. This growth defied concerns over recent tax-law changes that could affect live poker turnout. The $5,100 buy-in level seemed to appeal to participants, hinting that similar mid-stakes tournaments might support robust fields throughout the season.
With five more double-points events ahead in the Kickoff Series, the strong start sets a positive tone for the 2026 PGT.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize | PGT Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Andrew Lichtenberger | $162,000 | 324 |
| 2nd | Jeremy Eyer | $97,875 | 196 |
| 3rd | Shannon Shorr | $70,875 | 142 |
| 4th | Cary Katz | $54,000 | 108 |
| 5th | Ethan Yau | $40,500 | 81 |
| 6th | Peter Mugar | $33,750 | 68 |
| 7th | Spencer Champlin | $27,000 | 54 |
