Chino Rheem Wins Opening PGT Sprint Event for $119,600
Rheem erased Andrew Lichtenberger’s heads-up lead after a key bluff catch at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.
- Rheem won the $5,300 opening PGT Sprint event, taking $119,600 after beating Andrew Lichtenberger heads-up.
- The one-day tournament drew 92 entries, produced a $460,000 prize pool and paid 14 places.
- Lichtenberger began heads-up with the chip lead but was left short after Rheem called his bluff with pocket tens.
- The seven-event PGT Sprint series continues at PokerGO Studio through Nov. 4.
Chino Rheem won the opening $5,300 PokerGO PGT Sprint event at PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, defeating Andrew “Chewy” Lichtenberger heads-up to earn $119,600.
The one-day No-Limit Hold’em tournament drew 92 entries and created a $460,000 prize pool, with 14 players paid. Its accelerated structure distinguished it from PokerGO tournaments that run for two or more days.
Jim Collopy was the bubble player in 15th, while Cherish Andrews finished 16th. The official final table began seven-handed, and John Riordan was its first elimination, taking seventh for $18,400.
Lichtenberger collected $75,900 as runner-up. Patrick Leonard, who held the lead with three players remaining, finished third for $55,200; Michael Berk took fourth for $41,400, Neil Warren was fifth for $32,200 and Jesse Lonis finished sixth for $23,000.
Lichtenberger started heads-up ahead with 6.85 million chips to Rheem’s 4.65 million. But Rheem called a large bluff with pocket tens, leaving Lichtenberger with 525,000 against Rheem’s 10.9 million. On the final hand, Lichtenberger moved all-in with six-five and Rheem called blind with seven-two, which held to secure the title.
The victory also brought Rheem PGT Points. The PGT Sprint schedule consists of seven single-day No-Limit Hold’em tournaments with buy-ins from $5,300 to $10,500, offering players a chance to catch season leader Sean Winter.
The series runs at PokerGO Studio through Nov. 4.
