The win gave Saliba $96,400 to add to his bankroll
Justin Saliba captured the title in Event #3 of the 2026 PokerGO Cup, winning the $5,100 No-Limit Hold’em single-day tournament at the PokerGO Studio inside ARIA in Las Vegas. The event drew 86 entries and produced a prize pool filled with high-stakes regulars. Saliba walked away with $96,400 and the tournament trophy after finishing on top of the field.
The tournament moved quickly due to its one-day structure, forcing players to make decisions under constant pressure. Saliba managed to stay ahead of the field thanks to a strong run of cards and steady play. According to the champion, he picked up premium hands several times throughout the day, which helped him build momentum.
The final table included several tough opponents, including James Carroll, who sat immediately to Saliba’s left. Carroll’s aggressive style created challenges early during the closing stages. Saliba said he had to remain patient until the table shortened and stack sizes shifted in his favor.
Once the field dropped from seven players to four, Saliba began opening up his game. With more room to maneuver, he applied pressure and steadily added chips to his stack. A few timely hands pushed him into contention for the title and eventually into the heads-up match.
One memorable moment came earlier in the day during a lighthearted side bet with players Chino Rheem and Jeremy Becker. The group joked about winning a hand with the weak holding eight-three offsuit. Saliba later picked up that exact hand and pulled off a triple-barrel bluff, earning an extra $500 from the friendly wager.
The tournament bubble also created drama when John Riordan was eliminated just short of the money for the second day in a row. His pocket jacks lost to Saliba’s ace-deuce after an ace landed on the flop, ending his run.
Saliba eventually faced Carroll heads-up. The two agreed to an ICM deal, leaving $10,000 and the trophy still in play. Saliba closed out the match soon after, securing another PokerGO Tour victory.
