Nick Schulman has become the first PokerGO champ of the year
Nick Schulman has kicked off 2025 in great style by claiming victory in the first PokerGO Tour event of the year. Schulman, a seasoned poker professional, triumphed in the $10,100 buy-in No-Limit Hold’em tournament, the opening event of the PGT Last Chance series.
His win came after navigating a competitive field of 111 entries at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, securing $283,050 in prize money. This achievement brings his career earnings to nearly $22.1 million.
Schulman’s victory also earned him 600 points in the Player of the Year standings presented by Global Poker, giving him an early edge in the 2025 race. He collected 283 PGT points as well, placing him ninth in the PokerGO Tour rankings and effectively guaranteeing his spot in the upcoming PGT Championship.
The final day began with seven players, with Schulman holding the chip lead. Early eliminations included Aram Zobian in seventh place and Nguyen Le in sixth. Schulman managed to recover from a challenging hand against Joao Simao, where Simao called a bluff with a made straight. Schulman’s comeback included a crucial double-up and a key flip to regain momentum.
Bryce Yockey and Victoria Livschitz were later eliminated in fourth and third places, respectively, setting up a heads-up battle between Schulman and Simao. Despite starting with a significant chip deficit, Schulman gained ground with a timely double-up and eventually seized control. The final hand saw Schulman’s J-7 prevail over Simao’s J-2, clinching the title.
Simao took home $177,600 for his runner-up finish, adding to his growing career earnings, now nearing $8 million. Schulman’s latest win reinforces his status as one of poker’s top competitors as the new year gets underway.
Editor at the Big Blind, is a rising star in gambling journalism with a decade of experience, focusing on clear and accessible communication for a diverse audience.
