Kristen Foxen Wins Back-to-Back PGT Kickoff Series Finales

Kristen Foxen has once again stamped her authority on the high-stakes poker scene, securing back-to-back victories in the $10,100 PokerGO Tour (PGT) Kickoff Series finale. The Canadian poker pro dominated a tough final table to claim the top prize of $197,625, further solidifying her reputation as one of the game’s elite players.

A Commanding Performance at the Final Table

Foxen entered Day 2 of the tournament at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas with a significant chip lead, holding more than twice the stack of any other player. Her aggressive playstyle and strategic brilliance saw her extend that lead quickly, asserting control over the 93-player field.

The first casualty at the final table was Neil Warren, who exited in seventh place with $37,200. Nick Seward followed shortly after in sixth, taking home $46,500. By this point, Kristen Foxen had accumulated nearly 60% of the chips in play with five players remaining.

However, the road to victory wasn’t entirely smooth. Foxen lost a crucial all-in hand with pocket threes against Joao Simao’s ace-nine and Andrew Moreno’s ace-king. The board ran out 7♥ 4♣ 7♦ 4♦ 9♠, giving Simao a much-needed triple-up and sending Moreno to the rail in fifth place for $65,100.

Tactical Brilliance and Unstoppable Momentum

Despite the setback, Kristen Foxen continued to showcase her tactical superiority. A key moment came when she called a three-bet against Jeremy Ausmus with ace-high versus king-high. The hand went to showdown, and Foxen rivered a straight. She put Ausmus all-in, forcing a fold, and eliminated him in the very next hand. Ausmus walked away with $83,700 for his fourth-place finish.

Foxen lost another all-in to Simao in a 60/40 situation, narrowing her chip lead. Shortly after, Simao eliminated Isaac Song in third place, earning $111,600, and managed to momentarily overtake Foxen as heads-up play began.

Heads-Up Showdown: Foxen vs. Simao

The final two players agreed to an even chop, guaranteeing each $197,625. However, that didn’t stop Foxen from pushing for the outright title. She quickly regained a small chip lead before a defining hand sealed her victory.

Simao raised on the button with A♠ 10♥, and Foxen called with 9♣ 7♥. The flop came 7♥ 4♠ 3♥. Simao checked, then check-raised from 550,000 to 1,700,000. Foxen, holding top pair, made the call. The turn brought the 8♣, and both players checked. The river came 8♥, pairing the board and bringing a potential flush. Simao moved all in for 4,025,000, attempting a bold bluff, but Foxen made the correct call to clinch her second consecutive PGT Kickoff Series title.

Simao had to settle for a runner-up finish, while Foxen added another prestigious win to her already illustrious poker career.

Kristen Foxen’s Growing Legacy

Kristen Foxen now boasts over $9 million in live tournament earnings, further cementing her legacy in the poker world. Her deep run in the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, where she finished 13th, was a testament to her consistency at the highest levels of competition. Among female poker players, only Vanessa Selbst has higher recorded live earnings, with $11.9 million.

Foxen’s latest victory also marks the conclusion of the PokerGO Tour’s five-event opening series. Each of the five tournaments crowned a different champion, with Andrew Lichtenberger, Patrick Leonard, Masato Yokosawa, Spencer Champlin, and Kristen Foxen all walking away with titles.

As the 2025 poker season unfolds, Foxen remains one of the most formidable players in the game. With her sharp instincts, fearless aggression, and ability to perform under pressure, there’s no doubt she’ll continue to dominate the high-stakes circuit. Her back-to-back PGT Kickoff Series wins not only highlight her immense skill but also serve as a warning to her competition—Kristen Foxen is a force to be reckoned with.

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