Chino Rheem Wins PGT PLO Finale for Third Championship

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Chino Rheem Wins PGT PLO Finale for Third Championship

Chino Rheem has done it again. The seasoned pro captured the PGT PLO Finale title of the PGT PLO Series II to secure his third championship crown, adding another impressive milestone to his storied poker résumé. 

The two-day event ran from October 24-25, generating a $1,700,000 prize pool split among the top ten finishers.

The final day began with 11 players remaining and Artem Maksimov holding the chip lead. However, it was Rheem who stole the spotlight by outlasting a field of elite contenders. 

Rheem delivered a strong, composed final table performance that showcased his trademark patience and aggression.

Exciting PGT PLO Final Table Action

The action started early when Sean Rafael became the unfortunate bubble boy. His overpair of aces and nut flush draw fell short against Dylan Weisman’s two pair.

After that, LaDarren Banks locked up his fourth cash of the series, finishing 10th for $51,000 after Isaac Haxton made a wheel on the river.

Haxton continued to roll, eliminating Christopher Frank next. Frank’s aces could not hold, sending the German bracelet winner home in ninth place for another $51,000. 

Then, Alex Foxen, leader of the PGT season-long points race, bubbled the official final table. His elimination came during a dramatic three-way all-in that saw Jason Mercier’s flopped straight hold against Weisman’s set of kings.

Foxen and Weisman both earned $68,000 for their efforts.

Despite that key double knockout, Mercier’s run ended soon after. He lost a critical pot to Joao Simao, who improved to top pair and sent the six-time bracelet winner out in sixth place for $94,000.

Chino Rheem Claims His Championship

From there, Rheem began his climb. He won multiple pivotal hands against Maksimov, ultimately busting the start-of-day leader in fifth for $127,000. 

Sam Soverel followed in fourth for $170,000, while Simao’s set of jacks failed against Haxton’s eventual quads, leaving him in third for $230,000.

Finally, the heads-up play began with Rheem holding a 2:1 chip lead over Haxton. The defining hand came when Rheem turned a flush and managed to extract nearly all of Haxton’s chips. 

On the next hand, Rheem sealed the victory with a six-high straight, earning $510,000 and his third PGT title.

Haxton, always dangerous, settled for $331,000 as the runner-up. With this win, Rheem reaffirmed his standing as one of poker’s most versatile Pot-limit Omaha and Texas Hold’em players. 

Final Table Results

Place Player Payout POY Points PGT Points
1 Chino Rheem $510,000 504 306
2 Isaac Haxton $331,000 420 199
3 Joao Simao $230,000 336 138
4 Sam Soverel $170,000 252 102
5 Artem Maksimov $127,000 210 76
6 Jason Mercier $94,000 168 56
7 Dylan Weisman $68,000 126 41

Fans eager to follow in Rheem’s footsteps can explore the best US online poker sites to test their skills and chase their own championship dreams.