Not finished yet
The major poker tournaments may be over for 2023, but there is still another tour season to complete, although it won't take place until early 2024. The PokerGO Tour (PGT) has saved its conclusion for January and will be in the spotlight for itself.
The PGT Last Chance Series kicks off the new calendar year with six $10,000 buy-in tournaments from January 2nd to January 7th, all taking place at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. As the name suggests, it is the last chance for players to climb the PGT standings and qualify for the PGT Championship.
The PGT Championship, taking place January 9-10, is a $1 million freeroll open to the top 40 players in the PGT rankings. The winner will receive $500,000, while the other final table members will split the rest of the prize pool.
The PGT Last Chance Series is vital to the pursuit of the PGT Championship for several reasons. First and most obvious is that players can earn PGT ranking points throughout the six events to finish in the top 40. In addition, however, the PGT Last Chance series has its own leaderboard; The top two finishers who are not already in the top 40 of the Tour overall will also receive seats – so-called Dream Seats – in the PGT Championship. For players who don't have a realistic chance of making the top 40, the Last Chance Series is truly their last chance.
PGT Championship players start with 1,000 chips for every 10 PGT points earned. For example, the current highest ranked player, Isaac Haxton, has 2,662 PGT points. If that remains the case, he will have a starting stack of 267,000 chips (I believe they are rounded up).
Those who qualify as dream seat winners will receive the minimum starting stack of 100,000 chips or 100 big blinds.
Some in good condition, some not
As mentioned, Haxton is currently in pole position on the PGT leaderboard, followed by Chris Brewer (2,453 points), 2023 WSOP Main Event champion Daniel Weinman (2,300), Stephen Chidwick (2,164) and Alex Foxen (1,945) .
The final five players in the top 40 and therefore most at risk of being excluded from a qualifying spot for the PGT Championship are Ben Lamb (1,108 points), Maxx Coleman (1,097), Adam Hendrix (1,080), Masashi Oya (1,079 ) and Arthur Morris (1,048).
At the very forefront are Jans Arends (1,032 points), Jonas Kronwitter (1,032), Chino Rheem (1,029), Nacho Barbero (1,014) and Andrew Lichtenberger (1,001).
