The spotlight shone on Jason Hickey as he captured his first-ever PokerGO Tour (PGT) title, winning the $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em Mystery Bounty at the inaugural PGT Bounty Blitz series. Hickey topped a field of 59 entries at the PokerGO Studio inside ARIA Resort & Casino, earning $50,000 in prize money plus $47,000 in bounties, for a total of $97,000 – his career-best score to date.
The victory also awarded him 240 Card Player Player of the Year (POY) points and 83 PGT points, propelling him further into the competitive 2025 standings.
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Big Names Exit Early
The final day of action started with Anthony Marquez leading the pack and Hickey sitting third in chips. But the drama unfolded quickly.
- Andrew Ostapchenko, one of the most consistent players of 2025, was the first to fall. His pocket nines clashed against both Jeremy Becker’s K-Q and Bryan Swanson’s pocket aces, with the aces holding strong. Ostapchenko walked away with $10,500, marking his 11th final table of the year.
- Jeremy Becker, who has been a standout across the festival with four final tables in five events, saw his run cut short in fifth place for $14,100. Despite busting, Becker has now accumulated over $120,000 in winnings during the series.
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Wild Swings Before the Finish
Momentum shifted constantly as the field narrowed:
- Bryan Swanson, who briefly held the chip lead, lost two crucial coin flips and was eliminated in fourth place, earning $19,400 plus $5,000 in bounties.
- Anthony Marquez, the Day 2 chip leader, followed in third. His pocket sixes couldn’t withstand Hickey’s pocket nines, and although he collected $24,700 in prize money plus $66,000 in bounties, his dream of the title ended there.
That left Hickey to face veteran Steve Zolotow, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner.
Hickey’s Path to Victory
Hickey entered heads-up play with a commanding chip lead of 6.8 million against Zolotow’s 550,000. On the final hand, Hickey shoved with K♥4♥, and Zolotow called holding J♥9♦. The flop gave Zolotow the edge with middle pair, but the river delivered a jack, completing a straight for Hickey and sealing his PGT Bounty Blitz Mystery Bounty title.
Final Table Results – PGT Bounty Blitz Mystery Bounty
- Jason Hickey – $97,000 (240 POY pts, 83 PGT pts)
- Steve Zolotow – $33,500 (200 POY pts, 56 PGT pts)
- Anthony Marquez – $90,700 (160 POY pts, 41 PGT pts)
- Bryan Swanson – $24,400 (120 POY pts, 32 PGT pts)
- Jeremy Becker – $14,100 (100 POY pts, 23 PGT pts)
- Andrew Ostapchenko – $10,500 (80 POY pts, 17 PGT pts)
- Craig Mason – $8,850 (60 POY pts, 15 PGT pts)
- Andrew Kelsall – $8,850 (40 POY pts, 15 PGT pts)
What This Win Means for Hickey
For Hickey, a Texas resident, this victory is not just about the payout. Securing his first PGT title against a tough field signals his arrival on the big stage. With the added points in both POY and PGT standings, Hickey now has momentum heading into the remainder of the season.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Becker’s consistency continues to impress, while seasoned pros like Zolotow and Marquez remain forces to watch. The PGT Bounty Blitz has proven to be an exciting addition to the poker calendar, blending traditional prize pools with the unpredictable thrill of mystery bounties.
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FAQs
Q1: Where was the PGT Bounty Blitz Mystery Bounty held?
The event took place at the PokerGO Studio inside ARIA Resort & Casino Las Vegas.
Q2: How much did Jason Hickey win?
Hickey earned $97,000 total, including $50,000 in prize money and $47,000 in bounties.
Q3: Was this Jason Hickey’s first PGT title?
Yes, this was his first PokerGO Tour title, marking a career milestone.
Q4: How did Jeremy Becker perform at this series?
Becker reached four final tables in five events, winning the kickoff and finishing second in another, cashing for over $120,000.
Q5: Who finished runner-up in the event?
Veteran Steve Zolotow finished second, winning $33,500.
Picture and Content Courtesy: CARDPLAYER