Cary Katz Wins His First Poker Masters Title

|
Cary Katz Wins His First Poker Masters 2025 Title

Cary Katz has claimed his first Poker Masters title, winning $223,000 in Event #7: $10,100 No-Limit Hold’em. The tournament drew 77 entries, creating a prize pool of $770,000. Katz, known as “El Jefe,” displayed precision and patience, gradually chipping away at opponents’ stacks to secure the lead. 

Initially, Jared Hyman dominated the final table with a commanding chip advantage, eliminating three players before heads-up play. Despite this, Katz executed a critical AK versus QQ flip, hitting an ace on the river to take control. 

From that pivotal hand, he maintained momentum and closed out the tournament, marking his seventh overall PGT victory and first in the Poker Masters series. 

His triumph highlights his strategic acumen and reinforces his position among top poker competitors. Katz’s win also marked his third cash of the series, his 14th Poker Masters cash overall, and his seventh PGT title. 

Katz is currently at 128th place on the 2025 PGT season leaderboard, where he now has 415 points.

Cary Katz: Final Table Showdown

Katz’s final table performance was a masterclass in resilience and timing. Jared Hyman, Masato Yokosawa, John Riordan, Daniel Sepiol, and Matthew McEwan all fell to Katz’s steady advance.

Hyman, who held the largest stack for much of the day, ultimately finished second, collecting $146,500. Yokosawa claimed third place with $104,000, followed by Riordan with $73,000. Sepiol and McEwan finished fifth and sixth, winning $53,800 and $38,500, respectively. 

Katz’s heads-up battle with Hyman captivated fans, as the early deficit made his victory even more impressive. By overcoming a nearly two-to-one chip disadvantage, Katz demonstrated strategic depth, patience, and timing. 

Such qualities define elite play on US online poker sites and live circuits alike. Moreover, this milestone is a testament to his skill and perseverance.

Katz’s win in Event #7 not only secures his first Poker Masters title but also injects fresh excitement into the season-long race for the purple jacket. 

With three events remaining, including high-stakes buy-ins of $15,100 and a grand finale of $25,200, the leaderboard remains intensely competitive.

Final Table Results

Place Player Payout POY Points PGT Points
1 Cary Katz $223,000 420 223
2 Jared Hyman $146,500 350 147
3 Masato Yokosawa $104,000 280 104
4 John Riordan $73,000 210 73
5 Daniel Sepiol $53,800 140 54
6 Matthew McEwan $38,500 105 39

PGT Poker Masters 2025 Continues to Roll

The Poker Masters series has seen multiple winners claiming significant prizes in the ongoing events. Chino Rheem captured the title in Event #5: $10,100 No-Limit Hold’em, event along with $280,000. He showcased his aggressive and unpredictable playing style. 

Andrew Moreno also won Event #3: $10,100 No-Limit Hold’em and the $252,000 prize. Their strong performances, alongside Katz’s victory, highlight the growing list of champions this season.