In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Jeremy Ausmus emerged as the champion of the latest PokerGO Tour (PGT) Venetian Las Vegas Classic High Roller event. The victory earned Ausmus a hefty $99,200 top prize, as he defeated Stephen Song in a dramatic heads-up battle at ARIA on the Las Vegas Strip.
The $5,000 No-Limit Hold’em High Roller attracted some of the best poker players in the world, with 62 entries creating an intense final table. Despite his commanding chip lead, Song fell short in the heads-up battle, leaving Ausmus to seize the title. The event was closely followed by poker fans, with live coverage streaming on PokerGO.
A Competitive Final Table Of PGT Venetian
As the final table began, Stephen Song led the pack, but it was Jeremy Ausmus who would claim victory. The final nine players included well-known high-rollers such as Jonathan Little, Jeremy Becker, and Shannon Shorr. Despite their talent, these players would ultimately miss out on the title, making way for the eventual showdown between Ausmus and Song.
“We were all fighting hard for it, but Jeremy played incredibly well,” said Song, reflecting on the intense heads-up action. “He definitely earned this one.”
Key Moments at the Final Table
The first player to exit the tournament was Jonathan Little, who cashed for $9,300. Little’s run ended after he shoved with ace-seven, only to be eliminated by Jeremy Becker’s pocket eights. The final nine then became eight, as Jeremy Becker fell in eighth place after losing a key hand to Stephen Song’s king-six.
Shannon Shorr, a well-known figure in high-stakes poker, also made it to the final table but was eliminated in fifth place after running into Ausmus’s pocket aces.
“It was just one of those spots where I had to make a move,” said Shorr, reflecting on his exit. “But Jeremy had the goods, and there’s not much you can do when that happens.”
The Battle Continues In PGT Venetian
As the tournament progressed, players were eliminated one after the other. Brock Wilson, Aram Zobian, and Rick Mechammil all made notable exits, with Mechammil ultimately finishing in fourth place after a devastating turn of events. “It was a tough run, but that’s poker,” said Mechammil after his elimination.
In third place, Jim Collopy fought valiantly but fell to Stephen Song’s pocket queens when his pocket jacks didn’t hold up. Collopy, known for his resilience, took home $43,400 for his efforts.
Heads-Up Drama: Ausmus Takes the Lead
Heading into the heads-up battle, Song held a 4:1 chip lead over Ausmus, but the tide quickly turned. Ausmus doubled up with a king-three, hitting a king on the river against Song’s pocket fives. The chip lead shifted back and forth between the two competitors, but Ausmus eventually seized control.
“I just tried to stay patient, knowing that anything could happen in a heads-up match like that,” Ausmus shared after his victory. “Once I got the chip lead, I just focused on staying aggressive and taking advantage of my opportunities.”
Final Hand: Ausmus Clinches the Title
The pivotal moment came when Ausmus, holding pocket fours, shoved all-in against Song’s queen-eight. Song called, but the flop and subsequent cards favored Ausmus, who held his lead to win the $99,200 prize. “It was a tough heads-up match,” Ausmus said, “but I was able to stay focused and pull through.”
Stephen Song, despite his strong performance throughout the tournament, had to settle for the $62,000 runner-up prize. “I gave it my all, but sometimes it’s just not meant to be,” Song said, congratulating Ausmus on the win.
imao the Bubble Boy
Before the final nine emerged, there was one unfortunate player who narrowly missed out on the money. Joao Simao, a Portuguese pro, was eliminated in 10th place after being short-stacked. Simao moved all-in with a nine-seven of clubs, only to be called by Shannon Shorr, who held a king-ten. The board didn’t improve Simao’s hand, and he was sent packing without any prize money.
What’s Next for Jeremy Ausmus?
Jeremy Ausmus, who continues to solidify his reputation as one of the top players in the high roller scene, now sets his sights on future PokerGO Tour events. “I’m always looking to improve my game,” Ausmus stated. “It feels good to win, but I know there’s always more work to do.”