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Lichtenberger Capture Early Wins in 2026 PGT Kickoff Series
- Andrew Lichtenberger wins Event 1, securing his eighth PGT title with $162,000.
- Brian Battistone claims his first PGT title and $173,600 in Event 2.
- PokerGO Tour Kickoff Series continues until Jan 31 with exciting events.
Image Credit: PGT
Andrew Lichtenberger and Brian Battistone won the first two events of the 2026 PGT Kickoff Series in Las Vegas. Lichtenberger earned $162,000 in the opener, while Battistone took home $173,600 in Event 2.
The 2026 PokerGO Tour season began this week at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. The 2026 PGT Kickoff Series features six scheduled events. Two tournaments are now complete. These early high roller events offer double leaderboard points. The series continues through January 31.
Andrew Lichtenberger Defends Title in Event 1
Andrew Lichtenberger won the first event of the year on Tuesday. He defeated a field of 135 entries in the $5,100 No-Limit Hold’em opener.
This field was the second largest for this buy-in level in PGT history. Lichtenberger earned $162,000 and 324 PGT points.
This victory marks his eighth career PGT title. He now ties for fourth on the all-time wins list. Lichtenberger held the chip lead entering the final table. He eliminated several players, including Ethan "Rampage" Yau, who fell when his pocket aces were cracked.
Lichtenberger finished 2025 with a second-place result in the PGT Championship and maintained that form to start the new season.
Event 1 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 |
Brian Battistone Claims First PGT Title in Event 2
Brian Battistone secured his first PGT trophy in Event 2. The $5,100 No-Limit Hold’em tournament drew 151 entries. This turnout surpassed the opening event to become the new second largest field for a $5,000 buy-in on the tour. Battistone won $173,600 and 347 PGT points.
Battistone entered the final day trailing chip leader Dan Smith. Smith sought a sixth career title but finished as the runner-up for $109,475. Battistone now leads the early 2026 PGT leaderboard. This win follows his 14th-place finish in the WPT World Championship last month.
Event 2 Final Table ResultsThe series continues with Event 3 and Event 4 before the $10,100 buy-in finales on January 30 and 31.
Event 2 Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Prize | PGT Points |
| 1st | Brian Battistone | $173,600 | 347 |
| 2nd | Dan Smith | $109,475 | 219 |
| 3rd | Maksim Pisarenko | $75,500 | 151 |
| 4th | Mike Zulker | $56,625 | 113 |
| 5th | Yifu He | $45,300 | 91 |
| 6th | Sam Laskowitz | $37,750 | 76 |
| 7th | Nick Schulman | $30,200 | 60 |
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