Justin Vaysman Wins First PGT Title at 2026 Poker Masters

Jonathan Rodriguez

Written by: Jonathan Rodriguez

Published: Tue Oct 20, 2026, 1:58 am ET

Read Time: 4 minutes

Justin Vaysman Wins First PGT Title at 2026 Poker Masters

poker

Justin Vaysman captured his first PokerGO Tour (PGT) title after staging an incredible comeback at the 2026 Poker Masters. He recovered from just 0.25 big blinds before defeating Sean Winter heads-up in Event #6.

The $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em event attracted 64 entries and generated a $640,000 prize pool. Vaysman collected $192,000 and 192 PGT points for the victory, adding a major result to his poker résumé.

Vaysman entered the tournament with a World Series of Poker Online bracelet from Pennsylvania. However, the Poker Masters victory marked his first title on the PokerGO Tour.

Vaysman Makes an Incredible Comeback

Vaysman's run appeared nearly over when five players remained. Winter raised to 660,000 from the small blind with 8♦7♥, and Vaysman called with A♥9♦.

The call left Vaysman with only 20,000 chips, equivalent to a quarter of a big blind. Winter improved to a pair of sevens on the  Q♥10♣6♠5♥7♦ board, putting Vaysman on the brink of elimination.

Nevertheless, Vaysman survived three consecutive all-ins to rebuild his stack to approximately 400,000 chips, or five big blinds. That recovery gave him another chance to compete for the title.

Vaysman continued gaining ground as the remaining players fell. Tony Gregg finished fifth after his J♥J♦ lost to Winter's Q♣J♣ on an 8♣Q♦J♠2♣7♣ board.

The next major hand saw Vaysman involved in a three-way all-in against Brandon Wilson and Winter. Vaysman held A♣9♣, Wilson had A♥K♠, and Winter showed K♣3♥.

The board ran out 8♦6♣5♦7♣7♦, giving Vaysman a nine-high straight. He tripled up to approximately 2.05 million chips and moved closer to the chip leaders.

Wilson eventually finished fourth, while Winter eliminated Victoria Livschitz in third place. Livschitz's K♥J♦ ran into Winter's K♠K♣, ending her tournament in a $86,400 payday.

Vaysman Overcomes Winter's Heads-Up Advantage

Winter entered heads-up play with approximately three times Vaysman's chips. Vaysman initially struggled to close the gap but doubled up with A♦7♥ against Winter's Q♠6♠. The board ran out 5♣2♣9♣10♠5♦, allowing Vaysman's ace-high to hold.

The decisive momentum shift came when Vaysman caught Winter bluffing on the river. Winter raised preflop with 10♥6♦, and Vaysman called with K♥6♣. The board ran out K♠A♥9♣Q♥2♣, giving Vaysman the second pair with his kings and sixes.

Winter continued betting throughout the hand before shoving for Vaysman's remaining 950,000 chips on the river. Vaysman called, and Winter revealed ten-high. The successful call secured Vaysman's double-up and gave him the chip lead.

That hand brought Vaysman within reach of his first PGT title. Soon afterward, the players contested the tournament's deciding hand.

Final Hand Secures Vaysman's First PGT Title

The final hand began with Vaysman holding 10♠9♥ against Winter's J♦3♦. The flop came 10♦9♦7♣, giving Vaysman two pair while Winter picked up a flush draw.

Vaysman bet 150,000, but Winter check-raised to 700,000. The turn brought the K♥, and Winter moved all-in for 2,975,000 chips. Vaysman called with his two pair and needed to avoid a diamond on the river.

Instead, the 10♥ completed the board and gave Vaysman a full house. The hand secured his first PGT title and the $192,000 top prize.

Poker Masters Event #6 Results

Vaysman's victory moved him into fifth place in the Poker Masters standings. After recording two cashes, he had accumulated 231 points and $231,000 in festival earnings.

The 2026 Poker Masters continues in Las Vegas through October 23. The overall series champion will receive the Purple Jacket and a $25,000 PGT Passport.

Final Table Results

Place Player Prize
1st Justin Vaysman $192,000
2nd Sean Winter $124,800
3rd Victoria Livschitz $86,400
4th Brandon Wilson $64,000
5th Tony Gregg $48,000
6th Joey Weissman $35,200
7th Sam Laskowitz $25,600

Vaysman's comeback demonstrated how quickly tournament fortunes can change, even when a player is left with a fraction of a big blind. 

His win also adds another notable result to the competitive poker landscape followed by players on US online poker sites and in major live tournaments.

Jonathan Rodriguez
Jonathan Rodriguez

Jonathan is an avid basketball fan, and is often looking forward to the next upcoming NBA season when not checking players' stats during games. He also likes to keep his ears on the ground for the latest rumblings in the online casino industry.

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Betting News makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.