Mullaly Wins Poker Masters 2026 Opener

First PGT Title for Mullaly

The opening event of the Poker Masters 2026 series in Las Vegas has a champion. Myles Mullaly, a 24-year-old American professional, took down the $10,500 no-limit hold'em Event #1 at the PokerGO Studio inside the ARIA Resort & Casino, earning $218,400 and his first victory on the PokerGO Tour (PGT).

The result adds to what has been the strongest year of Mullaly's career, following a World Series of Poker bracelet win over the summer. The opening event drew 78 entries, generating a prize pool of $780,000, with payouts reserved for the top 12 finishers.

Bubble Bursts on a Brutal Cooler

Adrian Mateos was the last player to leave without a payday. The Spanish high-stakes regular found himself on the wrong end of a classic confrontation, his A-A falling to Craig Mason's 9-9 to end his run on the bubble.

Final Table Dynamics

Six players returned for the final day, with Michael Rossitto leading the counts. Mullaly began the day second in chips and gradually took control through patient, measured play. By the time heads-up play began, he held roughly a 2:1 chip advantage over Justin Zaki.

Zaki, however, was not done. He fought back into contention and briefly seized the lead after making a straight, setting up a tense finish.

The Decisive Hand

The tournament turned on a dramatic final pot. After the turn brought 8h 3s 5s 7h, both players were chasing flush draws. Zaki moved all-in holding Jh 3h, and Mullaly called with Th 9h. The river Tc gave Mullaly a higher pair, sealing the title.

Event #1 Results: $10,500 No-Limit Hold'em

• 1. Myles Mullaly (USA) — $218,400
• 2. Justin Zaki (USA) — $140,400
• 3. Sam Laskowitz (USA) — $101,400
• 4. Michael Rossitto (USA) — $74,100
• 5. Daniyal Gheba (USA) — $54,600
• 6. Justin Vaysman (USA) — $39,000
• 7. Craig Mason (USA) — $31,200
• 8. Joao Simao (Brazil) — $31,200
• 9. Michael Berk (USA) — $23,400
• 10. Joey Weissman (USA) — $23,400
• 11. Ping Liu (USA) — $23,400
• 12. Jesse Lonis (USA) — $19,500

What the Win Means

For Mullaly, the victory marks a significant step on the PGT circuit, a series that typically attracts many of the game's top tournament professionals. Winning an opening event at a high-roller series can set the tone for a player's entire series, both in terms of momentum and table presence.

The result also underscores a broader trend in modern tournament poker: younger players who cut their teeth in online and mid-stakes live events are increasingly finding success against established high-roller fields. Mullaly's summer WSOP bracelet and this PGT title in the same year suggest he is transitioning from promising young player to consistent contender at the highest buy-in levels.

Looking Ahead

With Event #1 complete, attention turns to the rest of the Poker Masters 2026 schedule. The series is known for its high-stakes no-limit hold'em and mixed-game events, and the opening field's mix of established professionals and rising talents suggests the remaining tournaments will draw similarly competitive lineups.

For players chasing PGT points and leaderboard positioning, early-series results can matter. A deep run or a win in the opening event gives a player both a financial cushion and a psychological edge heading into the higher buy-in events that typically follow.

Mullaly's performance in the final hand — calling off with a flush draw and two overcards against Zaki's shove — reflects the kind of high-variance, high-pressure decisions that define short-handed and heads-up play at this level. In this instance, the river rewarded the more aggressive line.