PGT Championship
Ariel Mantel
This first title within the circuit comes in what was Mantel’s 13th cash in the PGT, where he has already accumulated US$752,237 in earnings. In total, the Argentine surpasses US$1,584,000 in prizes throughout his live tournament career, according to data from The Hendon Mob.
The PGT Kickoff final was played in a turbo format, with 20-minute levels and a 20-second shot clock. The 52 entries generated a prize pool of US$520,000, which distributed prizes among the last eight players standing. On the verge of the bubble, Jeremy Becker
Patrick Leonard
Clemen Deng
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With this victory, Ariel Mantel took home US$171,600 in a season start that promises great things for the Argentine.
PGT Kickoff 2026 – Event #6 US$10,100 No-Limit Hold’em
Buy-in: US$10,100
Entries: 52
Prize Pool: US$520,000
The Final Table
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
Mantel climbs the PGT rankings
Following his victory, Ariel Mantel moved up to seventh place in the PGT rankings with 379 points. Clemen Deng climbed to fifth place with 423 points, while fifth-ranked Andrew Lichtenberger remained at the top with 531 points. Event #5 champion Michael Berk is second with 525 points, and Andrew Moreno and Dan Smith are third and fourth, respectively.
The usual PGT ranking contenders are not within the top ten, or even the top 20. Joao Simao
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PGT Leaderboard Top 10
| Position | Player | PGT Points | Wins | Cashes | Earnings |
| 1 | | 531 | 1 | 3 | US$265,500 |
| 2 | | 525 | 1 | 1 | US$262,650 |
| 2 | | 518 | 1 | 2 | US$238,425 |
| 4 | | 427 | 0 | 3 | US$213,175 |
| 5 | | 423 | 0 | 3 | US$211,850 |
| 6 | | 386 | 0 | 3 | US$192,750 |
| 7 | | 379 | 1 | 2 | US$189,725 |
| 8 | | 348 | 1 | 1 | US$174,000 |
| 9 | | 347 | 1 | 1 | US$173,600 |
| 10 | | 291 | 0 | 2 | US$145,626 |
