The 2024 PokerGO Tour Mixed Games series is underway, drawing the poker community’s attention to its electrifying start with the first of ten diverse events. The $5,100 buy-in H.O.R.S.E. tournament series opener attracted 87 entries, generating a substantial prize pool of $435,000. The competition was fierce, but Russia’s Maksim Pisarenko emerged victorious, clinching the title and the lion’s share of the prize pool, pocketing $117,450.
Pisarenko’s journey to the top was remarkable as he navigated a field full of poker talent, including a heads-up battle with the acclaimed five-time bracelet winner Benny Glaser. This victory marked Pisarenko’s second-largest career score, trailing only behind his third-place finish at the 2019 European Poker Tour Sochi main event, which netted him $189,840. With this win, Pisarenko’s lifetime earnings passed the $740,000 mark.
The event unfolded over two days at the prestigious PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, with the initial day concluding after the exit of five-time bracelet winner John Monnette in seventh place. Heading into day 2, Dennis Maschke led the final six, with poker legend Daniel Negreanu in a close second chip position.
The final day saw a rapid succession of eliminations, beginning with Mike Gorodinsky falling to Negreanu. Negreanu couldn’t maintain his momentum despite this early boost, eventually losing to Benny Glaser in a crucial razz hand, finishing in fifth place with $30,450. Negreanu’s exit didn’t slow down the action, as Pisarenko continued his domination, eliminating Andrew Kelsall and Dennis Maschke to set the stage for the heads-up finale against Glaser.
Pisarenko held a significant chip lead in the decisive heads-up battle over Glaser. Despite Glaser’s good efforts, including two double-ups, Pisarenko’s relentless pressure eventually led to Glaser’s elimination. The final hand, a dramatic showdown in stud, saw both players making straights, but Pisarenko’s king-high straight sealed the victory over Glaser’s six-high straight.
Benny Glaser, the runner-up, earned a respectable $76,125, further solidifying his career earnings to nearly $7.5 million.
$5,100 buy-in H.O.R.S.E Final Results
| Place | Player | Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maksim Pisarenko | $117,450 |
| 2 | Benny Glaser | $76,125 |
| 3 | Dennis Maschke | $54,375 |
| 4 | Andrew Kelsall | $39,150 |
| 5 | Daniel Negreanu | $30,450 |
| 6 | Mike Gorodinsky | $21,750 |
| 7 | John Monnette | $17,400 |
The 2024 PokerGO Tour Mixed Games series promises more action and excitement, with nine more events on the horizon. If the kickoff event is any indication, poker fans are in for a thrilling ride as the world’s top players will battle in 9 more amazing and diverse poker tournaments. Make sure you follow our page for every day recaps straight from the PokerGO Studio.
