Jesse Lonis delivered a spectacular performance to claim the title of 2025 PGT PLO Series Champion, solidifying his reputation as one of the brightest stars in poker. Across the 11-event series, Lonis showcased unparalleled consistency, earning one win, four final tables, five cashes, and a total prize haul of $799,140. His efforts garnered 662 PGT points, securing the top spot on the leaderboard and the coveted title.
Lonis’ Standout Results
Lonis’ journey to the series crown included several impressive performances:
- Event #2: $5,100 PLO Progressive Bounty – 3rd place for $47,700
- Event #5: $10,100 PLO Progressive Bounty – 9th place for $27,840
- Event #7: $15,100 Pot-Limit Omaha – Runner-up for $204,750
- Event #9: $15,100 Pot-Limit Omaha – Champion, earning $308,850
- Event #10: $25,200 PLO Championship – 3rd place for $210,000
High-Stakes Drama
Lonis’ series victory wasn’t without suspense, as the title race came down to the very last hand of the $25,200 PLO Championship. Lonis secured a third-place finish to overtake Alex Foxen on the leaderboard, but Foxen made a deep run, reaching heads-up play. A win for Foxen would have snatched the title, but Zachary Schwartz ultimately triumphed in the final hand, cementing Lonis as the champion.
Reflecting on his win, Lonis expressed excitement and gratitude for the opportunity:
“This was an incredible experience, and to be crowned champion means so much. Competing at this level and performing well motivates me to keep improving and striving for even greater heights.”
A Rising Star in Poker
Lonis now joins an elite group of players, including Lautaro Guerra, Daniel Geeng, Samuli Sipila, and Matthew Wantman, as PGT PLO Series champions. His remarkable performance also catapulted him to 7th place on the PGT season-long leaderboard, with 786 points, nestled between poker icons Daniel Negreanu (6th) and Michael “Texas Mike” Moncek (8th).
As the 2025 PGT PLO Series champion, Lonis also earned a $10,000 PGT Passport bonus prize, which he is expected to utilize at the upcoming U.S. Poker Open.
PGT PLO Series Leaderboard – Top 10
- Jesse Lonis – 662 points
- Alex Foxen – 633 points
- Chino Rheem – 506 points
- Bryce Yockey – 437 points
- Tyler Brown – 407 points
- Daniel Negreanu – 397 points
- Jim Collopy – 356 points
- Dylan Weisman – 324 points
- Lautaro Guerra – 314 points
- Dylan Smith – 305 points
Event Winners at a Glance
Here’s a breakdown of the event winners from the 2025 PGT PLO Series:
| Event | Winner | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| #1: $5,100 PLO | Ky Nguyen | $180,400 |
| #2: $5,100 PLO Progressive Bounty | Billy Tarango | $88,245 + $85,000 in bounties |
| #3: $5,100 PLO | Daniel Negreanu | $182,850 |
| #4: $10,100 PLO | Chino Rheem | $295,000 |
| #5: $10,100 PLO Progressive Bounty | Chino Rheem | $123,200 + $190,000 in bounties |
| #6: $10,100 PLO | Dylan Smith | $252,450 |
| #7: $15,100 PLO | Alex Foxen | $315,000 |
| #8: $15,100 PLO Mystery Bounty | Bryce Yockey | $218,400 + $110,000 in bounties |
| #9: $15,100 PLO | Jesse Lonis | $308,850 |
| #10: $25,200 PLO Championship | Jim Collopy | $450,367 |
| #11: $5,100 PLO Bounty | Zachary Schwartz | $63,510 |
Acknowledgments
Special recognition goes to HE Turki Alalshikh, Sela, Mauricio Sulaiman, and the WBC for their efforts in organizing this world-class event. The 11-event series brought together 128 elite players, celebrating the very best of high-stakes pot-limit Omaha action.
