Brian Battistone’s performance gives him a jump on the competition
The 2026 Card Player Player of the Year race is already taking shape following the second event of the PokerGO Tour Kickoff series. Brian Battistone made an early statement by winning his first-ever PGT title, picking up momentum in both the PGT standings and the PoY leaderboard.
It’s all over! Brian Battistone wins Event #2 of the PGT Kickoff series for $173,600. pic.twitter.com/gtVIrnXpuR
— PGT (@PokerGOTour) January 28, 2026
Battistone topped a tough field of 151 entries in the $5,300 buy-in event, defeating Dan Smith heads up to secure the trophy and $173,600. The turnout marked one of the largest fields ever for that buy-in at the PokerGO Studio, adding extra weight to the victory.
Along with the cash, Battistone earned 576 Card Player PoY points and 347 points toward the PGT season race. That haul immediately placed him among the early leaders in the 2026 PoY chase, giving him a strong foundation just two events into the year.
The final table featured several big names, with Smith entering seven-handed play holding a commanding chip lead. Nick Schulman exited early, followed by Sam Laskowitz, as Smith continued to apply pressure and build his stack during the middle stages.
Battistone’s run nearly ended five-handed when he was all-in against Smith and well behind. A dramatic turn and river flipped the hand in his favor, sparking a comeback that carried him through the rest of the final table.
After eliminating Mike Zulker and Maksim Pisarenko, Battistone faced Smith again for the title. Once more, he found help at the river to complete a full house and lock up the win. The result adds another highlight to Battistone’s growing resume and ensures the PoY race is already heating up early in 2026.
