The 2023 PGT Mixed Games series is officially in the books. After eight events, Dan Zack emerged as the overall champion after making final tables in five of eight events. Among those winning in the last events were Ben Lamb, Cary Katz, and Jason Mercier.
Lamb, Guagenti, and Abrams Take Middle Events of Series
Event #4 of the PGT Mixed Games series drew out the heavy hitters for the $10k Big Bet Mix. This series included poker games like PL Omaha, NL Hold’em, and even NL Five Card Draw. The final table included big names like Sam Soverel, Dan Zack, Adam Friedman, Ben Lamb and Maxx Coleman.
Ultimately, it was Lamb and Coleman that battled for the top prize. Heads-up play was delayed until February 13th so that the players could compete in other events. Coleman started with a 2 to 1 chip lead, but Lamb came storming back. Eventually, Lamb would come out on top to win the $186,000 top prize and earn 186 points toward the championship.
Event #5 was the $10k Triple Draw Mix Event. This event saw Dan Zack again make the final table, along with Dan Shak, Mike Gorodinsky, Alex Livingston, Mike Thorpe, and Nick Guagenti. Ultimately, Livingston and Guagenti made heads-up play and cut a deal for the prize money. They played it out for the last $20k, and Nick Guagenti emerged the victor, earning $275,475 and 290 championship points.
Event #6 was the $10k Dealer’s Choice Event, and Dan Zack made his fourth straight final table. Joining him were John Monnette, Nick Schulman, Poker Hall of Famer Daniel Negreanu, Scott Abrams, and Ben Lamb. Lamb and Abrams made it heads-up, and Abrams denied Lamb his second title of the series. Abrams earned $179,200 and 179 championship points.
Jason Mercier and Cary Katz Win Final Two Events
Jason Mercier seldom plays poker anymore due to family responsibilities. However, when he plays, he does well. Mercier entered the $25,500 10-Game Championship and made the final table with Jeremy Ausmus, Daniel Negreanu, David “ODB” Baker, Andrew Kelsall, Maxx Coleman, and Dan Zack. This was Zack’s fifth final table of the series.
Ultimately, Jason Mercier and Dan Zack reached heads-up play, and the pair decided to cut a deal. The two players then decided to go all-in blind until a winner was reached. It took four hands of blind flips, but ultimately, Mercier came out on top. Jason Mercier won $367,500 and earned 257 championship points. Dan Zack earned $345,000 and 171 championship points.
Event #8 was the $5,300 NL 2-7 Single Draw Event and the final tournament of the series. The final table was an eclectic mix of pros that included Chino Rheem, Steve Zolotow, Johannes Becker, Nick Schulman, and Cary Katz.
At the start of heads-up play, Johannes Becker held the chip lead over Cary Katz. However, Katz managed a double-up when he drew a 9-8 against the 10-9 of Becker. In the final hand, Becker went all-in with four to an 8-6 while Katz stood pat on a J-9. Becker failed to make his hand, and Katz took the title. Katz won his first career mixed games title and $83,200.
Dan Zack Wins PGT Mixed Games Championship
The 2023 PGT Mixed Games Championship was determined before the final table of the last event. Dan Zack made five final tables during the series and earned $524,700 on the way to the Championship. Zack received the PGT Cup and a $25,000 bonus for winning the Championship.
Speaking on the series, Zack told PGT reporters, “It’s incredible. It is so nice to have this. There are no mixed game tournaments outside of the WSOP before this at reasonable stakes. It’s incredible to have another chance a year to play these events, given how fun mixed game tournaments are, and how much demand there is for them in the high-stakes mixed community.”
