Category: Poker

The PokerGO Tour (PGT) is setting the stage for its climactic end-of-year spectacle with the Last Chance Series, kicking off Thursday. This high-stakes series offers players one final opportunity to secure their spot in the million-dollar PGT Championship while showcasing their prowess in the competitive poker scene.

Tim Duckworth, Director of Live Events for PokerGO, expressed excitement for the series, saying, “With high stakes on the line and additional Dream Seat entries available, this series gives everyone a shot.”

Let’s dive into what makes this series a must-watch and a critical moment for poker enthusiasts and players alike.

The Format: Six Events, High Stakes

The Last Chance Series comprises six no-limit hold’em tournaments, each with a $10,100 buy-in. The structure offers participants ample opportunities to climb the leaderboard and claim one of the coveted top 40 spots in the season-long PGT rankings.

But there’s a catch: simply earning a top-40 rank isn’t enough. Players also need at least three qualifying cashes to secure their seat in the million-dollar freeroll PGT Championship.

The series isn’t just about the leaderboard, though. A unique points-based system offers additional opportunities for standout players, regardless of their season-long ranking.

Notable Players on the Brink

Several big names are currently fighting to stay in contention—or break into—the PGT Championship’s elite top 40. Among them are reigning World Series of Poker Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo and prominent players like Brian Kim, Niklas Astedt, and Jason Sagle, all of whom have fewer than the required three qualifying cashes.

Meanwhile, stars like Matthew Wantman, Isaac Haxton, and Sergio Aido are just outside the bubble and could capitalize if others fall short.

It’s a high-pressure scenario: fail to meet the criteria, and even some of the year’s most consistent players could see their Championship dreams dashed.

Dream Seats and the Invitational

For those who don’t make the top 40, all is not lost. The Last Chance Series includes a unique feature: three “Dream Seat” entries awarded to players who excel in the series leaderboard but fall short of the season-long cutoff.

Additionally, players who finish fourth through eighth in the Last Chance points race will receive “Dream Passes.” These passes grant entry to the PGT Championship Dream Seat Invitational, a single-day event on January 9.

The stakes in this invitational couldn’t be higher: the final six players will secure entries into the PGT $1,000,000 Championship, set to begin the very next day.

Schedule Breakdown

Here’s a quick look at the Last Chance Series schedule, which promises daily drama and excitement:

Each event promises intense competition, with players vying not only for payouts but also for points that could alter the season standings dramatically.

The Road to the Million-Dollar Championship

The PGT $1,000,000 Championship begins on January 10, featuring a two-day freeroll event with a seven-figure prize pool. Starting stacks will be determined by PGT leaderboard rankings, giving top players a clear advantage heading into this high-stakes finale.

Only the top six players will cash in the Championship, with the winner set to claim $500,000. For many, this represents not just a financial reward but a career-defining moment.

The Last Chance Series is more than just a poker tournament—it’s a battleground for glory, redemption, and one final shot at making history. With the stakes so high, expect nothing less than electrifying action from start to finish.

In a thrilling conclusion to 2024, Francis Anderson claimed victory in the Venetian New Year’s Extravaganza $800 No-Limit Hold’em UltimateStack tournament. The bracelet winner from Wappinger Falls, New York, outlasted a field of 515 players, securing $61,551 in prize money. This marked Anderson’s sixth tournament win and bolstered his reputation as a top competitor in poker.

A Year of Milestones for Anderson

Anderson’s 2024 poker journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Earlier this year, he captured his first World Series of Poker bracelet in the $800 Independence Day Celebration Event, taking home $501,040—a career-best score. His ability to excel in holiday-themed events has become a hallmark of his career, making him a formidable contender in these unique tournaments.

This latest win also brought Anderson’s lifetime tournament earnings to more than $3.6 million. Alongside his financial success, Anderson added 420 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points, bringing his annual total to 2,772. With three titles and nine final-table finishes, Anderson will end the year ranked within the top 130 in the POY standings, cementing his status as one of the game’s elite players.

The Competition at the Final Table

The $800 buy-in event attracted a diverse and competitive field, with a total prize pool of $355,350. The top 66 finishers walked away with a share of the spoils, but the final table was where the real action unfolded.

Notable players included:

• Terry Fleischer: The 2024 Mid-States Poker Tour Venetian Poker Bowl champion finished in 8th place.
• Aaron Massey: The seasoned pro claimed 6th place.
• Ryan Laplante: The bracelet winner and accomplished player added another feather to his cap by finishing 4th.

Laplante, who had already secured a significant score of $185,500 earlier in December, now edges closer to $4 million in recorded tournament earnings.

A Dramatic Heads-Up Showdown

After an anonymous third-place finisher exited, Anderson faced Lokesh Garg in a riveting heads-up battle. Garg entered with a chip advantage, but Anderson quickly turned the tables.

The pivotal moment came when Anderson made a flush, besting Garg’s jack-high straight. In the final hand, the board showed A♣ Q♠ 9♥ 9♣ J♣, and Garg held 10♥ 8♣ for a straight. However, Anderson revealed J♠ 9♠, giving him a full house and the championship. Garg walked away with $44,245 as the runner-up.

Final Table Payouts and POY Points

Here’s how the final table payouts and POY points were distributed:

With this win, Anderson adds yet another chapter to an already stellar year, proving once again that he’s one of poker’s most consistent and talented players.

Poker can be a thrilling game of strategy and patience. But even seasoned players make errors that can cost them their chips. Alex Fitzgerald, a renowned poker player and coach, lays out the most frequent mistakes that beginners (and even veterans) fall into. The best part? Fixing these missteps isn’t as complicated as it might seem.

Falling for the Flop Temptation

Ever get bored of folding hand after hand? It’s tempting to call just to see a flop, especially if you’re on a losing streak or just itching to play. After all, it feels like poker should involve action, not sitting back watching others rake in pots.

Here’s the problem: calling to “see what happens” is a quick way to leak chips. Fitzgerald stresses that the cornerstone of poker success is aggressive and calculated play. Passive calls and limps rarely lead to winning strategies. When you enter a pot, you should have a solid reason—whether it’s a calculated raise or a three-bet.

• Instead of chasing flops, wait for premium hands or strong positions to make your move.
• Focus on winning money, not pots.

The Dangerous Habit of Overcalling River Bets

One of the biggest pitfalls in poker? Overestimating your chances at the river. Beginners (and sometimes experienced players) tend to call too often when faced with a big bet, hoping to catch a bluff.

Fitzgerald points out that most players—especially at lower stakes—don’t bluff enough on the river. When an opponent makes a significant bet, it’s usually because they’ve hit something solid. While folding can feel like giving up, it’s often the smartest move.

Ask yourself: Is my opponent really bluffing? Or is it more likely they’ve got the goods? If you’re up against a recreational player or someone who rarely bluffs, folding could save you a fortune.

Raising to “Figure Things Out”

Imagine this: You’ve got pocket sevens, and the flop comes 10-5-2. Your opponent bets. You’re unsure where you stand, so you raise to “see if they have it.”

Sound familiar? Fitzgerald explains that this tactic is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Raising in this spot doesn’t accomplish much—it folds out weaker hands and gets stronger ones to call. Worse, it costs chips without providing meaningful information.

Instead, consider a more cautious approach. Calling allows you to control the pot size and see how your opponent plays the turn. If they slow down, your hand might be good.

Limping in Early Position: A Costly Mistake

Let’s set the scene: You’re in early position with 2-2 or a suited connector like 8-7. You don’t want to fold, but raising feels risky. So, you limp, hoping to see a cheap flop.

Bad move.

When you limp, you’re inviting players behind you to raise and isolate. That puts you in a tricky spot where you either fold or play a weak hand against a stronger range. Fitzgerald advises folding these marginal hands in early position.

Why? The math simply doesn’t favour small pairs or connectors when stacks are shallow. Save your chips for better opportunities later in the game.

Calling Too Many Reraises

Are you guilty of raising too wide and then calling three-bets with weak hands? If so, it’s time to tighten up.

Constantly calling reraises often means you’re playing with a “capped range”—a weak set of hands that stronger opponents can exploit. Fitzgerald recommends folding more often to aggressive players and raising a more selective range preflop.

Here’s a quick rule of thumb: If you’re out of position against a skilled opponent, think twice before continuing in a reraised pot. It’s better to cut your losses than to battle uphill in a bad spot.

Quick Tips to Polish Your Game

To recap some of Fitzgerald’s key advice:

• Avoid seeing flops for the sake of action—play with purpose, not boredom.
• Be sceptical of river bluffs—most opponents won’t risk big bets without a strong hand.
• Stop raising “to find out”—every bet should have a clear goal, like bluffing out a better hand or extracting value.
• Don’t limp from early position—it’s a giveaway that your hand is weak.
• Think before calling reraises—consider your position, your opponent, and your range.

A Deeper Look at Poker Math: Example Table

The Bottom Line

Fitzgerald’s advice isn’t just for novices—it’s a wake-up call for anyone looking to refine their game. Poker is a mental battle, and small adjustments can have a huge impact on your results. So, whether you’re at the cardroom or playing online, keep these strategies in mind. Your chips—and your confidence—will thank you.