Mike Zulker Leads Final 7 in Poker Masters Event #2: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em

The 2025 Poker Masters series continued today from the PokerGO Studio at Aria Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, with Event #2: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em. The 130-entrant field is now down to just the final table of seven, and Mike Zulker leads the way.

Zulker comes into the final table with 4,425,000 in chips, holding a roughly one-point-five-to-one lead over his next closest opponent, Paul Jager, who has 2,925,000. On the line is the $157,000 first-place prize, 157 PGT Points, and the coveted brand-new Purple Jacket trophy.

Zulker registered during Level 6 and built his stack in a few key spots. He was able to double with aces through Jager to approach the 500,000 chip mark, then spike a four on the river to make a set in an all-in pot to crack Nick Sewards' kings and eliminate him, while crossing 1,200,000 in chips. He busted Jared Jaffee to clear 1,700,000, then eliminated Peter Mugar on the stone money bubble to cross 1,800,000. He hovered between 1,700,000 and 2,500,000 for a few levels before falling to just under 1,500,000 when a big hand came up between him and Eric Baldwin. Baldwin raised the button, and Zulker shoved ace-ten from the big blind, getting called by Baldwin's ace-king. Both players flopped an ace, but Zulker was able to spike a ten on the turn to double into the chip lead of 3,100,000. Zulker then busted Baldwin shortly after on the final table bubble to finish the day with over 4,000,000.

Rounding out the remaining final table players are Wayne Nowak (2,650,000), Aaron Messmer (2,200,000), Michael Berk (1,700,000), Mitchell Halverson (1,425,000), fresh off a runner-up finish in Event #1, and Daniel Marcus (900,000).

The tournament drew a total of 130-entrants, creating a prize pool worth $650,000, and paying the final 19 players at least $9,800. A number of top players and PGT regulars made their way to the PokerGO Studio, ready to battle it out for one of the top prizes and to collect some PGT points, as only the 40 highest PGT points earners at the end of the year will gain access to the $1,000,000 PGT Championship Freeroll. Those familiar faces included Sam Soverel, Erik Seidel, Cary Katz, Brock Wilson, Cherish Andrews, Joey Weissman, Clemen Deng, Jeremy Ausmus, Aram Zobian, Justin Zaki, Chris Hunichen, Jim Collopy, Justin Saliba, John Riordan, Christian Roberts, Neil Warren, Sam Laskowitz, and Michael Rossitto. 

The final table will be streamed on PokerGO at 1 p.m. PT, with cards in the air at 11:45.

Play will resume with 29:00 remaining in Level 21, with blinds 50,000/100,000 and a 100,000 big blind ante. The button will be drawn at the start of the day. Connect with PokerGO.com on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Watch daily poker clips on the PokerGO YouTube channel. Join the conversation on the PokerGO Discord server. You can save $20 off an annual subscription to PokerGO.com by using the code “PGT2025” at checkout.