Billy Tarango Claims First Live Title at the 2025 PGT PLO Series

The 2025 PokerGO Tour (PGT) has been nothing short of exhilarating. Billy Tarango’s victory in Event #2: $5,100 Pot-Limit Omaha Progressive Bounty is the latest highlight. Kicking off on March 25, this thrilling event brought out the best in players. However, it was Tarango who battled through adversity to claim his first-ever live tournament title. He walked away with a hefty $173,245 in winnings.

Tarango’s Roller-Coaster Journey to Victory

Entering the final table in a precarious position, Tarango was far from the chip leader, holding no bounties. With his back against the wall, the odds seemed stacked against him. However, everything changed during a massive three-handed battle against Jesse Lonis, which shifted the momentum in his favor.

At that point, Tarango seized control. He eventually ended the day with a commanding 17.5:1 chip lead as he entered heads-up play against Stephen Hubbard. Though Hubbard staged a remarkable comeback, doubling up three times in a row, Tarango’s resilience paid off. He eventually clinched the title.

A Career-Defining Win for Tarango

This victory was more than just a title for Tarango. It marked the second-largest cash of his poker career, surpassing only his $383,191 prize for a 6th place finish in the 2024 WSOP $25K PLO High Roller. The win also moved his career earnings to $594,574, and added 182 PGT points to his total, putting him at the top of the PGT PLO Series leaderboard.

Tough Competition and Record-Breaking Numbers

Tarango’s triumph didn’t come easily, with several prominent players gunning for the title. The event saw a record-breaking 159 entrants, making it the largest bounty tournament in PokerGO Tour history. With a prize pool of $795,000, the top 23 players were guaranteed a payout, with Mark Chapic just missing the money as the bubble finisher.

Among the notable names who made deep runs but didn’t make it to the final table were John Riordan (23rd, $5,247), Sean Troha (21st, $5,247), Patrick Leonard (10th, $14,310), and Nick Schulman (9th, $14,310).

Final Table Recap: Drama, Comebacks, and Close Calls

The final table delivered the kind of drama that poker fans crave. Jesse Lonis started the final day with the chip lead and made an early statement by eliminating James Chen, the two-time WSOP bracelet winner. Lonis’s momentum continued to build as he took nearly two-thirds of the chips in play.

However, the tide turned when Tarango won a key pot against Lonis, then completely shifted the dynamics with a massive hand that crushed Lonis’s stack. With the chip lead in hand, Tarango dominated the three-handed action, ultimately sending Lonis home in third place after a dramatic showdown.

Heads-Up Battle: Hubbard’s Fight and Tarango’s Final Push

Despite Tarango’s overwhelming chip lead (18.8 million to Hubbard’s 1.075 million), Hubbard refused to go down without a fight. He mounted an incredible comeback, doubling up three times to narrow the gap. However, Tarango reasserted his dominance, and with a gutsy final hand, he sealed the deal.Hubbard, holding A♠ 10♦, went all-in on a board that gave Tarango 8♠ 6♠ a flush. With the river completing Tarango’s flush, the tournament was over, and the title was his.

Event #2: Final Table Results

• 1st Place: Billy Tarango – $88,245 + $85,000 in bounties = $173,245
• 2nd Place: Stephen Hubbard – $88,245
• 3rd Place: Jesse Lonis – $47,700
• 4th Place: Arthur Morris – $35,775
• 5th Place: James Chen – $28,620

PGT Leaderboard: A Tight Race

With this victory, Billy Tarango surged ahead in the PGT PLO Series leaderboard, just two points ahead of Ky Nguyen, the winner of Event #1. James Chen, who made back-to-back final tables, sits in third place. The leaderboard is shaping up to be an exciting race, with several talented players vying for the top spots.

PGT PLO Series Top 5:

• Billy Tarango – 182 point
• Ky Nguyen – 180 points
• James Chen – 130 points
• Matthew McEwan – 119 points
• Stephen Hubbard – 119 points

The Road Ahead

With more exciting events on the horizon, the 2025 PGT PLO Series is far from over. Stay tuned for more action as these players continue to battle it out for the prestigious title of PGT PLO Series Champion.

Final Thoughts

Billy Tarango’s win is a testament to his resilience and poker skills, proving that anything is possible in the game of poker. As the 2025 PGT PLO Series continues, players like Tarango, Hubbard, and Lonis are sure to provide plenty of exciting moments for fans. Keep an eye on the action—it’s going to be an incredible ride!