PokerGO Tour 2026 opens with near-record field and LuckyChewy's eighth win
The PokerGO Tour's 2026 season kicked off with a record-breaking start. A $5,000 buy-in event attracted 135 entries—the second-largest field ever for a tournament of this size. The strong turnout surprised officials, especially after recent tax changes had raised concerns about participation in high-stakes events.
The opening event saw 81 unique players enter, with 64 taking advantage of a rake reduction by registering on time. Andrew 'LuckyChewy' Lichteneberger claimed victory, marking his eighth PokerGO Tour win. This achievement ties him for fourth place on the all-time leaderboard, alongside players like Jeremy Ausmus and Chris Brewer.
Jeremy Eyer finished as runner-up, while Shannon Shorr took third place. The final table also included well-known names such as Michael Wang, Aaron Kupin, John Riordan, Daniel Negreanu, Chad Eveslage, and Eric Blair. Tim Duckworth, PokerGO Tour Commissioner, admitted he had not expected such a large field. He cited multiple factors influencing attendance, including high costs for other Vegas poker events and adjustments to buy-ins aimed at creating a more sustainable high-stakes economy. Duckworth predicted that future turnouts might still reach 75% of 2025 levels, despite ongoing challenges. The series will continue with five more events: three $5,000 tournaments and two $10,000 competitions. The final event, number six, is scheduled for Saturday.
The season's first tournament set a strong tone with a near-record field and a high-profile winner. With five more events ahead, the PokerGO Tour aims to maintain momentum despite economic pressures. The final event on Saturday will close out the opening series.
