Cary Katz Triumphs at 2025 Poker Masters, Secures First Title

Cary Katz, the founder of PokerGO, earned a career-defining victory on September 29, 2025, as he captured his first-ever Poker Masters title. In a thrilling $10,100 No-Limit Hold’em event that attracted 77 entries, Katz outlasted his competition to earn $223,000 in prize money and secure crucial points in both the PokerGO Tour (PGT) and Card Player Player of the Year (POY) races.

Poker Masters: A Landmark Victory for Cary Katz

Katz entered the final day of the 2025 Poker Masters event with a moderate chip stack of 1.785 million. With the final table underway, Jared Hyman was the overwhelming favorite, holding a massive chip lead of 4.42 million. Despite the odds, Katz demonstrated resilience and skill, managing to chip away at Hyman’s lead before a pivotal moment in the heads-up match.

Hyman started the heads-up battle with a 2:1 advantage over Katz. However, as often happens in high-stakes poker, it all came down to a crucial coin flip. With the stakes high, Katz held A♦K♠ against Hyman’s Q♠Q♣. The final hand was a dramatic clash, with Hyman’s pocket queens looking strong until Katz hit an Ace on the turn, flipping the entire game in his favor. The match ended when Katz’s Q♥J♠ bested Hyman’s K♠4♠ in the final showdown, clinching his victory.

Final Table Breakdown: How Katz Outlasted the Field

The tournament attracted a total of 77 entries at a $10,000 buy-in, creating a $770,000 prize pool. The top 11 finishers earned a share, but it was Katz who ultimately triumphed. Hyman, despite a strong start, found himself facing tough competition as the final table progressed.

In the early stages, Hyman made a significant impact, eliminating players like Matthew McEwan, who went out in sixth place, and Dan Sepiol, who was eliminated in fifth. However, the tournament’s momentum shifted as players like Masato Yokosawa and John Riordan kept up the pressure. Yokosawa, despite being a short stack, made a critical call to eliminate Riordan in fourth place. But the stage was set for Katz’s remarkable comeback.

As the final heads-up battle unfolded, Katz’s patience paid off, and his ability to capitalize on crucial moments set him apart. After a dramatic series of hands, Katz finally outlasted Hyman and claimed his first Poker Masters title.

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Katz’s Career Milestones: A Year of Firsts

This victory added another milestone to Katz’s already illustrious poker career. With the win, Katz earned 420 points in the Card Player Player of the Year race, positioning him for a strong finish in the POY standings. This was his second qualifying result of the year, following his first World Series of Poker bracelet earlier in 2025.

Katz’s tournament earnings now exceed $41.2 million, solidifying his place as one of poker’s top earners and most consistent competitors.

A Look at the Final Table Results

The final results of the tournament were a testament to Katz’s skill, as well as the competitiveness of the field. The top finishers, along with their payouts and earned points, were as follows:

1. Cary Katz – $223,000, 420 POY Points, 223 PGT Points
2. Jared Hyman – $146,500, 350 POY Points, 147 PGT Points
3. Masato Yokosawa – $104,000, 280 POY Points, 104 PGT Points
4. John Riordan – $73,000, 210 POY Points, 73 PGT Points
5. Dan Sepiol – $53,800, 140 POY Points, 54 PGT Points
6. Matthew McEwan – $38,500, 105 POY Points, 39 PGT Points

Quotes from the Champion

Cary Katz shared his thoughts after his victory:
“This win means so much to me. It’s not just the money or the trophy; it’s the culmination of years of dedication to poker. Being able to come back from a tough spot and win here at the Poker Masters is incredibly special.”

Jared Hyman, who finished second, had this to say:
“Cary played an incredible heads-up match. It was a tough fight, and I gave it everything I had. At the end of the day, poker is a game of ups and downs, and Cary just had the better run today.”

Also Read: Nick Schulman Secures Sixth PokerGO Tour Title

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Poker Masters?
The Poker Masters is a high-stakes series of poker tournaments featuring some of the world’s top players. The event is known for its exclusive buy-ins and the intense level of competition, with the PokerGO Studio serving as the backdrop for many of the action-packed moments.

2. How much did Cary Katz win at the 2025 Poker Masters?
Cary Katz won $223,000 after outlasting 77 entries in the $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em event at the 2025 Poker Masters.

3. What points did Katz earn for the Player of the Year race?
Katz earned 420 points for the Card Player Player of the Year race with his victory at the Poker Masters.

4. How many players made the final table in this event?
A total of six players made the final table in the 2025 Poker Masters $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em event.

5. What is the significance of Katz’s victory in terms of his career?
This victory is especially significant for Katz as it marks his first Poker Masters title and adds to his already impressive career earnings, which now exceed $41 million.

Courtesy: Cardplayer