Event #1: $3,000 PokerGO Cup Showcase Day 1b | 2026 PokerGO Cup

03-02-2026 18:25 UTC-7

Koralla Gets Hand Stuck in Cookie Jar

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Connor Richards

Level 9 : Blinds 3,000/6,000, 6,000 ante

In a heads-up pot on a board of 2♦6♠10♣3♥, Sandeep Koralla bet 100,000 and Anatoly Nikitin called.

Koralla then sized down to 75,000 on the Q♥ river and Nikitin used two time banks before calling.

Koralla could only show ace-high with A♠K♠ as Nikitin rolled over 9♥9♦ to drag the pot with two nines.

Player	Chips	Progress
Anatoly Nikitin	500,000 375,000	375,000
Sandeep Koralla	250,000

Tags: Anatoly Nikitin Sandeep Koralla

Level: 9

Blinds: 3,000/6,000

Ante: 6,000

03-02-2026 17:38 UTC-7

Second Break

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Connor Richards

Level 8 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

Players have been sent on a 22-minute break with the clocks showing 143 runners so far.

03-02-2026 17:37 UTC-7

Player	Chips	Progress
Matthew Wantman	900,000

Natalie Ferguson	650,000 350,000	350,000
Justin Zaki	600,000 265,000	265,000
Chino Rheem	600,000 410,000	410,000

Chris Hunichen	500,000 100,000	100,000

Aaron Messmer	450,000 375,000	375,000

2024 GPI POYs Coleman and Andrews Among Latest Eliminations

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Connor Richards

Level 8 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

Player	Chips	Progress
David Coleman	Busted

Andrew Ostapchenko	Busted

Joe Serock	Busted

Spencer Champlin	Busted
Cherish Andrews	Busted
Frank Brannan	Busted

Drake Kemper	Busted
Stuart Taylor	Busted
Michael Brinkenhoff	Busted

03-02-2026 17:13 UTC-7

Zaki Goes Runner-Runner to Crack Aces

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Connor Richards

Level 8 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

Justin Zaki was all in for 166,500 against Alex Kim to his direct left.

Justin Zaki: 9♦9♥ All in
Alex Kim: A♥A♦

The board ran out 6♣6♠10♦7♥8♥ as Zaki hit a runner-runner straight to crack the aces of Kim.

Player	Chips	Progress
Justin Zaki	335,000 295,000	295,000
Alex Kim	151,000 151,000	151,000

Tags: Justin Zaki Alex Kim

03-02-2026 17:08 UTC-7

Visit the PokerNews Strategy Hub

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Connor Richards

Level 8 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

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Level: 8

Blinds: 2,500/5,000

Ante: 5,000

03-02-2026 17:02 UTC-7

Chewy Out

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Connor Richards

Level 7 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

Andrew Lichtenberger was seen leaving his seat after being eliminated at the hands of David Coleman.

Player	Chips	Progress
David Coleman	230,000 270,000	270,000

Andrew Lichtenberger	Busted

03-02-2026 16:59 UTC-7

"I Try to Look as Homeless as Possible"

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Connor Richards

Level 7 : Blinds 2,500/5,000, 5,000 ante

Alex Foxen joined the table launched into a discussion with Jonathan Little about how he dresses at the poker table.

"I try to look as homeless as possible," the high-stakes pro said.

"You've got a nice backpack," said Little. "If you see a homeless guy with a nice backpack..."

"You might just wonder who he stole it from," said Foxen.

Shortly after, Andrew Lichtenberger opened to 10,000 in the hijack and Foxen three-bet to 27,000 on the button. Lichtenberger re-raised to put Foxen all in and he quickly called off to be at risk.

Alex Foxen: A♠Q♣ All in
Andrew Lichtenberger: K♥Q♦

Foxen had his opponent dominated and his hand held for a double as the board ran out 5♠A♦4♣6♣Q♥.