Chad Eveslage took advantage of the many mixed games events offered on the PokerGO Tour’s schedule during the 2025 season, winning the inaugural $100,000 Super High Roller Bowl Mixed Games event and the $25,000 H.O.R.S.E. event at the World Series of Poker to secure his fourth career bracelet. Those two PGT-qualified victories helped propel him inside the top 20 in the final standings for the high-stakes-centric points race. As a result, he earned a seat in the PGT $1,000,000 Championship that capped off the season, and took full advantage of that opportunity.
Eveslage beat out a field of 54 in the seven-figure freeroll, earning $500,000 as the champion. The score propelled the two-time World Poker Tour champion’s career earnings over $12 million.
This victory put a bow on a successful season for Eveslage. He cashed for more than $3.2 million across eight PGT cashes, with his three wins and four final-table finishes. His SHRB Mixed Games win came with $1.2 million, while he took home another $883,841 for his latest triumph at the WSOP.
Blair Bubbles, Riordan Tripped Up
Eveslage had to outlast a stacked roster of PGT stars on his way to the title. He survived day 1 action, moving on to day 2 as the second-shortest stack among the remaining seven contenders. Michael Wang was out in front when play resumed, with only one elimination needed to burst the bubble. It came via classic preflop coin flip, with Eric Blair’s A♦Q♣ unable to outrace the 9♠9♥ of Aaron Kupin. Blair flopped a gutshot straight draw to go with his overcards, but blanks on the turn and river saw him sent to the rail empty-handed.
The first knockout inside the money saw two-time bracelet winner and reigning SHRB Pot-Limit Omaha champion John Riordan sent packing with trips thanks to kicker trouble. He defended his big blind with 5♠4♠ facing a button raise to 125,000 from Eveslage, who held K♥5♥. The flop came down A♣5♦5♣ and Riordan check-called 80,000 with his three fives. The 10♠ turn saw the action repeated, this time to the tune of 300,000. The 9♣ on the end drew a third check from Riordan. Eveslage moved all-in and Riordan, after some consideration, called off his remaining 600,000. Eveslage’s king kicker earned him the pot and the knockout, while Riordan settled for $40,000 as the sixth-place finisher.
Kupin And Kid Poker Bow Out
Aaron Kupin finished fifth ($60,000) when his A♥8♠ failed to hold against the 10♦9♦ of Andrew Lichtenberger, which was open-jammed from the small blind. Kupin called off the rest of his 15 big blind stack from the big blind and the two saw a J♠10♣5♥K♥9♥ runout. Lichtenberger made two pair for the win, giving him the chip lead heading into the final four.
Daniel Negreanu
Seven-time bracelet winner Daniel Negreanu’s run came to an end in fourth place. In his final hand he opened to 300,000 from under-the-gun with A♣6♣. Eveslage, who had 40,000 already in the pot from the small blind, looked down at J♥J♦ and three-bet to 750,000. Negreanu called, leaving himself with 160,000 (two big blinds) behind. The flop came down 5♠4♦3♠ and Eveslage put Negreanu all-in. After a quick call, the cards were on their backs. The Poker Hall of Famer was looking for an ace, seven, or deuce. Instead the 10♣ turn and 3♥ river kept pocket jacks best. Negreanu earned $80,000 for his efforts, surpassing $57 million in career earnings in the process.
Closing Out The Win With A Couple Big Poker Pairs
The next elimination hand saw Wang get all-in on a 10♦9♣8♠ flop with his 10♥9♥ leading the K♥K♦ of Eveslage, who had three-bet Wang’s preflop button open from the big blind. Wang was still ahead with two pair after the 2♣ turn, but the 8♦ river gave Eveslage kings up to earn the pot. Wang, a WPT champion and three-time bracelet winner, secured $120,000 for his latest deep run.
With that, Eveslage took 8,700,000 into heads-up play with Lichtenberger, who sat with 2,025,000 to start. It didn’t take long for Eveslage to convert that advantage into the title. The final deal of the tournament gave Lichtenberger 8♣6♣ on the button. He jammed for 1,650,000 (just over 13 big blinds) and Eveslage quickly called with J♠J♦. The board came down Q♦4♠2♦J♥3♠ and Eveslage made a set of jacks to bring the tournament to a close.
Lichtenberger was awarded $200,000 as the runner-up. The bracelet winner now boasts over $24.8 million in career cashes.
Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Payout |
| 1 | Chad Eveslage | $500,000 |
| 2 | Andrew Lichtenberger | $200,000 |
| 3 | Michael Wang | $120,000 |
| 4 | Daniel Negreanu | $80,000 |
| 5 | Aaron Kupin | $60,000 |
| 6 | John Riordan | $40,000 |
Photo credits: PGT / Antonio Abrego.
