Sam Soverel Wins Record 16th PokerGO Tour Title

Sam Soverel keeps rewriting PokerGO Tour history

After a short post-summer break, the PokerGO Tour is back in full swing at PokerGO Studio inside ARIA Resort & Casino. The latest stop is the PGT PLO Series, a run of high-stakes pot-limit Omaha events scheduled from Sept. 24-Oct. 3, and the opening $5,000 buy-in tournament wasted no time drawing a strong field.

With 91 entries and a $455,000 prize pool, the event had the kind of depth and volatility that make PLO such a compelling game to watch and play. In the end, it was Sam Soverel who came out on top, collecting $122,850 and extending his record with a 16th PokerGO Tour title.

That number matters. On a tour built around elite competition, multiple formats, and constant pressure, reaching 16 victories is not just a milestone — it is a statement of sustained excellence. Soverel now holds a three-win edge over Alex Foxen on the tour’s all-time title leaderboard.

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A one-day event with a stacked PLO field

This tournament was completed in a single day, which meant fast-moving levels, fewer mistakes allowed, and a premium on big-pot decision-making. The top 13 finishers made the money, while 2025 Super High Roller Bowl PLO champion John Riordan was eliminated on the bubble.

• Josh Arieh in 12th;
• Mike Zulker in 10th;
• Joao Simao in 8th.

The late stages were just as unforgiving. Michael Wang bowed out in 7th for $18,200, and high-stakes regular Sean Winter exited in 6th for $22,750. Soverel stayed in control throughout the final stretch, and he also picked up both knockout blows once the final table got short-handed.

That kind of closing power is a big reason elite PLO players separate themselves. In Omaha, you rarely win a tournament by waiting for premium hands alone — you need timing, pressure, and the ability to exploit marginal edges before the board texture changes on the turn or river.

How the final three and heads-up play unfolded

After John Dapkus eliminated Ariel Mantel in 5th for $31,850 and James Chen in 4th for $40,950, the event moved to three-handed play. Dapkus briefly surged, but Soverel and Jonas Kronwitter soon pulled ahead.

Dapkus ultimately finished in 3rd place for $56,875, and Soverel entered heads-up play with 6,125,000 chips against Kronwitter.

The final hand was classic PLO chaos. The chips went in on a flop of 10♥ 7♥ 3♣.

• Kronwitter tabled A♥ 8♥ 6♣ 3♥, giving him a pair plus flush and straight draws;
• Soverel showed A♦ A♣ 5♦ 2♣, a powerful pair of aces with strong structure;
• the 5♠ turn and 7♣ river left Soverel’s aces best.

Kronwitter earned $79,625 for second place. The Austrian now has nearly $3.9 million in lifetime live tournament cashes, another reminder of how deep the talent pool is in these PokerGO Tour PLO events.

Why this 16th PokerGO Tour title matters

Soverel’s latest win is more than another line in a results database. It is a useful snapshot of what wins in modern high-stakes Omaha: aggression, discipline, and a deep understanding of equity shifts across multiple streets.

• strong PLO players do not just chase the nuts; they maximize drawing hands and board coverage;
• position becomes even more valuable in short-handed play;
• high-variance formats reward players who stay calm and keep making high-quality decisions;
• tournament momentum often comes from well-timed pressure, not just card distribution.

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Soverel’s place in the PokerGO Tour era

The broader significance of this result is that Soverel is no longer just one of the best players in the room — he is one of the defining winners of the PokerGO Tour era. He has now pushed his career earnings past $33.5 million, and he sits 36th on poker’s all-time money list.

He also earned 184 PGT points and 432 Card Player Player of the Year points, climbing into the top 20 in the PGT season race and the top 200 on the POY leaderboard. Those numbers matter because they reflect more than a single score; they show consistency across elite fields and multiple pressure points during the season.

For the tour itself, results like this reinforce the value of format-specific excellence. For players, they are a reminder that mastering one discipline — especially one as demanding as PLO — can create a real edge over the long run.

Final thoughts

Sam Soverel’s 16th PokerGO Tour title is a record-extending achievement that fits the profile of a modern high-stakes champion. He outlasted a strong field, navigated a one-day PLO structure, and closed the deal against a dangerous opponent in Jonas Kronwitter.

In a game where variance is always lurking, Soverel’s consistency stands out. That is what makes this win meaningful: not just the trophy, but the proof that elite preparation, pressure handling, and sharp Omaha instincts still decide the biggest results.

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