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Chino Rheem wasted no time making his presence felt in 2026, capturing his first PokerGO Tour title of the year by winning the opening event of the PGT Mixed Games Series. The two-time Mixed Games series champion has now launched his campaign for a third overall series crown in the best possible fashion.

Rheem topped a tough field in the $5,300 H.O.R.S.E. event, earning $112,100 and his ninth career PokerGO Studio trophy. He sealed the victory by defeating Dylan Linde following a heads-up deal, pushing his lifetime tournament earnings to nearly $19.3 million. The win further cements the résumé of the 2019 PCA Main Event champion and three-time WPT titleholder.

In addition to the payout, Rheem collected 480 Card Player Player of the Year points, along with 193 PGT points toward both the season-long standings and the Mixed Games series leaderboard. After claiming an eye-popping five PGT titles in 2025—across multiple formats—Rheem finished third on last year’s overall leaderboard behind only Alex Foxen and Sam Soverel. This early 2026 victory suggests he may be poised for another dominant run.

Final Table Delivers Early Drama

The series opener drew 101 entries, and a prolonged bubble period left stacks compressed heading into the televised final table. Rheem was among those short-stacked, finding himself with just a single big bet after folding the very first hand. Chip leader Brian Breck scooped that pot, but the momentum quickly shifted from there.

Rheem folded his way to an initial pay jump before beginning an improbable comeback. The first elimination came when Chad Eveslage exited in seventh place ($20,200). Eveslage moved all in preflop during an Omaha eight-or-better hand and picked up strong draws, but Dylan Linde’s flopped set of aces held firm through the river.

Momentum Shifts as Rheem Rebuilds

Once Rheem found his footing, the table began to thin rapidly. Poker Hall of Famer Eli Elezra was next to fall, finishing sixth for $25,250. In Razz, Rheem made an eight-six low and successfully faded Elezra’s seven-six draw to score the knockout.

Brian Breck’s run ended shortly after in stud eight-or-better. Holding two pair, queens and jacks, Breck was up against Linde’s seven-low, which locked half the pot. Linde then improved to a seven-high straight on seventh street to scoop it all, sending Breck out in fifth place ($32,825).

Linde stayed hot by eliminating Matt Vengrin in limit hold’em. Vengrin shoved with king-jack on a low, connected board, but Linde’s nine-eight rivered a winning pair, earning Vengrin $45,450 for fourth.

Rheem Finishes the Comeback

Play continued three-handed in stud, where Alex Livingston committed his remaining chips holding ace-high. Rheem paired kings on fourth street and never relinquished the lead, knocking out the two-time bracelet winner in third place for $58,075.

Although Rheem began heads-up play slightly behind Dylan Linde, a pivotal stud hand swung the match in his favor. With stacks now close, the two agreed to a quick deal before finishing it out. The final hand proved decisive: Linde made trip eights on fourth street in stud eight-or-better, only to run into Rheem’s tens full of aces by sixth. Linde couldn’t find the case eight, and Rheem completed a remarkable comeback victory.

Linde took home $100,000 for second place, pushing his career earnings toward $15.7 million.

Final Table Payouts