2026 PGT Kickoff Series: Lichtenberger and Battistone Claim Early Titles

mrinal-gujare
By Mrinal Gujare
29 Jan 2026
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Mrinal Gujare 29 Jan 2026
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  • Andrew Lichtenberger wins Event 1, earning $162,000 and 324 leaderboard points.
  • Brian Battistone secures first career title in Event 2, receiving $173,600 and 347 points.
  • Record entries mark the start of an exciting PokerGO Tour season.
2026 PGT Kickoff Series
Image Credit: PGT
Andrew Lichtenberger and Brian Battistone won the first two events of the 2026 PGT Kickoff Series in Las Vegas. Lichtenberger defended his title in Event 1, while Battistone earned his first tour trophy in a record-setting Event 2 field.

The 2026 PokerGO Tour season is officially underway at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. The 2026 PGT Kickoff Series features six events and offers double leaderboard points for every tournament. Two events have concluded, establishing an early hierarchy in the season standings.

Event 1: Lichtenberger Defends Title

Andrew Lichtenberger secured the first victory of the season in Event 1: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em. He topped a field of 135 entries, which created a $675,000 prize pool. This turnout stands as the second-largest $5,100 event in the history of the tour.

Lichtenberger defeated Jeremy Eyer during heads-up play to earn $162,000. This win marks his eighth career title on the tour, moving him into a tie for fourth place on the all-time wins list. Because the series awards double points, he took the early lead on the leaderboard with 324 points.

Event 1 Final Table Results

PlacePlayerPrizePGT Points
1stAndrew Lichtenberger$162,000324
2ndJeremy Eyer$97,875196
3rdShannon Shorr$70,875142
4thCary Katz$54,000108
5thEthan Yau$40,50081
6thPeter Mugar$33,75068
7thSpencer Champlin$27,00054

Event 2: Battistone Secures First Career Title

The momentum continued in Event 2: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em, which drew 151 entries. This field surpassed the attendance of the opener and set a new record for the second-largest $5,100 field in tour history.

Brian Battistone emerged as the champion, defeating Dan Smith to claim his first career title. Battistone earned $173,600 and 347 points. The victory represents his fifth career cash on the tour and his largest prize in a sanctioned event at the PokerGO Studio.

Event 2 Final Table Results

PlacePlayerPrizePGT Points
1stBrian Battistone$173,600347
2ndDan Smith$109,475219
3rdMaksim Pisarenko$75,500151
4thMike Zulker$56,625113
5thYifu He$45,30091
6thSam Laskowitz$37,75076
7thNick Schulman$30,20060

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