Adrian Mateos Wins $229,500 and Takes Poker Masters Lead
Adrian Mateos won Event #5 of the 2026 Poker Masters on October 17, collecting $229,500 in the $10,500 no-limit hold’em tournament at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. The victory put him first in the series standings after five events, turning a runner-up finish earlier in the week into a two-cash challenge for the Purple Jacket.
Nick Schulman finished second for $148,750, while Jeremy Becker earned $106,250 in third. The tournament attracted 85 entries and paid 13 places from an $850,000 prize pool, according to the official PokerGO Tour results.
A title that changes the series race
Mateos earned 230 PGT points for the win. Combined with 151 points and $151,200 from second place in Event #2, that left him with 381 points and $380,700 in series cashes through Event #5.
Those totals describe the standings at the conclusion of this event, rather than a final series result. Winning an individual tournament does not settle the overall Poker Masters championship: the Purple Jacket depends on points accumulated across the series.
The distinction matters here. Mateos had reached the money twice in the opening five tournaments, but those finishes were first and second. PokerNews reported that his other three starts ended on the money bubble, the last elimination before payouts begin.
A short heads-up finish
Mateos began the final day leading the remaining seven players. By the time only Schulman remained, his advantage exceeded four to one in chips.
The heads-up match lasted two hands. On the decisive hand, Mateos held pocket aces against Schulman’s ten-nine of hearts. The chips went in on the turn with Schulman drawing to a straight or flush; the river did not complete either draw.
What comes next
The ten-event series is scheduled to continue through October 23, with its overall winner receiving the Purple Jacket and a $25,000 PGT Passport. The official PGT schedule provides the remaining event information.
For readers following the wider live calendar, Angry Aces Poker’s October 2026 tournament preview places Poker Masters alongside the month’s other major series.
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