Chad Eveslage proved once again why he’s regarded as one of poker’s elite, steamrolling a star-studded field to capture the PGT Championship on Tuesday night. After a year packed with high-stakes action, Eveslage capped 2025 in style, adding another major title to his decorated resume.
A Florida Powerhouse on the Rise
Eveslage’s season was already impressive before the PGT finale. He kicked things off in March with a $1.2 million victory at the Super High Roller Bowl: Mixed Games, followed by a third-place finish in the 2-7 Single Draw Championship and a $25K HORSE win, netting him his fourth WSOP bracelet and over $883,000.
After a brief rest back in Florida, he returned to the tables in November with a final table showing at WPT Seminole worth $220,000, then traveled to WSOP Paradise in The Bahamas, finishing 29th in the Super Main Event for $335,000. By the time the PGT Championship rolled around, Eveslage had eight cashes and two wins on the year, securing the 20th spot on the season leaderboard.
While 2025 wasn’t his most explosive year—Eveslage has already racked up Hall of Fame-caliber performances earlier in the decade—it still added to a legacy that includes multiple WPT titles, WSOP bracelets, and a Player of the Year award.
The PGT Finale: Fast, Fierce, and Unpredictable
The $1,000,000 freeroll presented a unique challenge: a speedy structure, a top-heavy payout, and 14 unpredictable Dream Seat entrants. Starting near the bottom of the counts, Eveslage had to navigate a field packed with PokerGO Studio regulars, including Michael Wang, Andrew Lichtenberger, Daniel Negreanu, John Riordan, Eric Blair, and Dream Seat winner Aaron Kupin.
The final table quickly became a gauntlet. Blair fell first, followed by Riordan in sixth and Kupin in fifth. Negreanu, despite showing flashes of energy, finished fourth, leaving Eveslage, Wang, and Lichtenberger to battle for the title.
Taking charge early, Eveslage used aggressive play to eliminate Negreanu and Lichtenberger. A pivotal hand against Wang saw Eveslage apply heavy pressure, culminating in a river card that counterfeited Wang’s two pair and sent him to the rail. Heads-up play lasted only briefly before Lichtenberger met the same fate, giving Eveslage a commanding victory.
A Champion’s Mindset
Reflecting on the final table, Eveslage admitted the challenge was humbling. “Most of the time when I’m playing, I feel like one of the best, if not the best player at the table. Here it was different—it was a strange feeling,” he said.
But in the end, his combination of aggression, precision, and composure under pressure carried him to victory, cementing his status as one of the most versatile and feared competitors in modern poker.
Chad Eveslage’s PGT triumph isn’t just another win—it’s a reminder that even in a stacked field of stars, his talent remains at the top of the game.
