The first-ever PGT Mixed Games series kicked off with a record-breaking turnout. The 70 unique players, the most ever in a PokerGO Tour owned-and-operated event, created a total of 87 entries in the $10,300 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. event, resulting in an $870,000 prize pool. Five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Shaun Deeb emerged victorious in the end, securing the title and the top prize of $208,800.
This was Deeb’s first cash recorded inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The victory saw the 36-year-old poker pro from Troy, NY increase his lifetime tournament earnings to nearly $12.4 million.
“Great event, obviously. Dealers and staff are awesome. I don’t get to Vegas too often outside of the World Series of Poker. I was down in the Bahamas and my wife was nice enough to give me permission when I begged to also come to this series,” Deeb told PGT reporters after coming out on top. “The added money for the leaderboard, I knew some people who were doing side bets, so I said it’s a good time to play some high buy-ins. I don’t get to play that many cash games, and I loved mixed-game tournaments. I ran really good, and that’s really important.”
The win saw Deeb take the early lead in the player of the series standings, with 209 PGT points. He also climbed into 12th place in the PGT season-long points race for 2023.
This was Deeb’s second final-table showing of the year, having placed fourth in a $25,000 buy-in pot-limit Omaha event at the PokerStars Caribbean Adventure in late January for $121,500. With 690 Card Player Player of the Year points, Deeb is now among the top 100 contenders in the 2023 POY standings, which are presented by Global Poker.
This event played out over the course of two days, with the top 13 finishers cashing as a result of the big turnout. Plenty of big names made the money only to hit the rail late on day 1, including four-time bracelet winner Julien Martini (13th), six-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu (12th), bracelet winner and 2019 WSOP main event third-place finisher Alex Livingston (11th), bracelet winner and 2010 WSOP main event runner-up John Racener (9th), three-time bracelet winner Phil Hui (8th), and Erik Sagstrom (7th).
The final day began with Deeb in the lead and just five contenders remaining. Andrew Yeh (5th – $69,600) was the first to fall. He got all-in on third street in Razz and wound up with a J-10-4-3-A low. Two-time bracelet winner and World Poker Tour champion David ‘ODB’ Baker made a 10-8-6-3-A to win the pot and overtake the lead.
2017 WSOP Poker Players Championship winner Johannes Becker (4th – $87,000) was the next to be sent to the rail. He lost a big pot in razz to be left on fumes, and then could only muster a king low when all-in. Deeb made an eight low to drag the pot and narrow the field to three.
Bracelet winner Nick Guagenti’s run in this event concluded during a round of Omaha eight-or-better. After five-betting preflop from the small blind and being called by both Baker and Deeb, Guagenti bet his last chips on the flop. No low was possible by the river, and Deeb showed trip jacks with an ace kicker to scoop the whole pot. Baker had also flopped trips, but with a king kicker. Guagenti had pocket tens and two low cards. He bowed out in third place, earning $104,000 while Deeb took more than a 3:1 chip lead going into heads-up play.
Baker was able to close the gap a bit in the early going, but a big stud eight-or-better hand saw Deeb once again surge well ahead. Deeb scooped the pot with kings for the high and an eight-six low. Baker was soon forced to commit his last chips on third street playing the same game. The boards ran out as follows:
Baker – (106)3K9Q(10)
Deeb – (65)4885(Q)
Neither player made a qualifying low hand, and Deeb’s eights and fives won the high side to see him scoop the pot and the title. Baker was awarded $147,900 for his runner-up showing.
Here is a look at the payouts and rankings points awarded on the final day:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points | PGT Points |
| 1 | Shaun Deeb | $208,800 | 480 | 209 |
| 2 | David Baker | $147,900 | 400 | 148 |
| 3 | Nick Guagenti | $104,400 | 320 | 104 |
| 4 | Johannes Becker | $87,000 | 240 | 87 |
| 5 | Andrew Yeh | $69,600 | 200 | 70 |
Winner photo credit: PokerGO Tour.
