Jeremy Ausmus Shines in 2024 PokerGO Tour with Stellar Performance
In the dynamic world of professional poker, few players have captured as much attention in 2024 as Jeremy Ausmus. With an outstanding performance in PokerGO Tour events, Ausmus has solidified his status as a frontrunner in the competitive poker scene. As the year progresses, he has achieved 24 noteworthy cashes, amassing a remarkable total of over $5.5 million in earnings, while dominating the PGT points race. However, his initial quest for a PGT title remained elusive—until recent events changed that narrative.
Breaking Through: Victory at the PGT PLO Series II
On an exhilarating day at the 2024 PGT PLO Series II, Ausmus finally clinched his first title of the season, triumphing in a field of 64 competitors in a high-stakes $15,100 buy-in event. His victory not only netted him a cash prize of $288,000 but also came with 288 PGT points, further extending his lead in the points leaderboard. With an impressive year that now includes one win, 25 cashes, and a total of 2,789 points, Ausmus finds himself 753 points ahead of renowned poker player Daniel Negreanu, who finished seventh in the same event.
An Impressive Career and Continued Success
The 45-year-old Las Vegas-based poker professional now boasts an impressive career total of over $23.7 million in tournament cashes. This most recent title marks Ausmus’s second overall win of 2024, accompanying his previous victory in a $25,500 pot-limit Omaha high roller event at the World Poker Tour Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown. His stellar performance thus far has propelled him to fifth place in the 2024 Card Player Player of the Year standings, with 432 points earned from this latest triumph.
Key Moments from the Final Table
The final table of the 2024 PGT PLO Series II showcased thrilling moments as the tournament progressed. Notable players such as Michael Duek, Richard Gryko, and Elias Harala made their presence felt, but it was the six final contenders who would battle for the title. The final day’s action kicked off with Gruffudd Pugh-Jones in the lead among the last six, while Ausmus held one of the shorter stacks. However, a quick double-up propelled Ausmus into contention as he soon eliminated players like Artem Maksimov (6th place, $52,800) and Alex Foxen (5th place, $72,000) with precision plays.
The intensity magnified with the exit of Samuli Sipila in fourth place ($96,000), followed by the elimination of Nick Schulman in third place ($129,600), setting the stage for a dramatic heads-up showdown between Ausmus and Pugh-Jones.
A Thrilling Heads-Up Showdown
Entering the heads-up battle, Ausmus held a significant lead over Pugh-Jones, with 5,970,000 chips to Pugh-Jones’s 2,030,000. Yet, the tides turned as Pugh-Jones grabbed a significant pot with quad sevens, swinging the balance in his favor. The two players traded the lead multiple times, escalating the drama of the final moments.
In a thrilling conclusion, Ausmus managed to regain control. The decisive hand erupted when Ausmus, holding J9 high, hit the board to make a wheel, while Pugh-Jones made a set. After a series of strategic bets and calls, the board revealed no further improvement for Pugh-Jones, leading to his elimination in second place and a career-best payout of $187,200.
Final Payouts and Points Overview
The tournament culminated with the following payouts and points distribution for the top finishers:
| Place | Player | Earnings | POY Points | PGT Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremy Ausmus | $288,000 | 432 | 288 |
| 2 | Gruffudd Pugh-Jones | $187,200 | 360 | 187 |
| 3 | Nick Schulman | $129,600 | 288 | 130 |
| 4 | Samuli Sipila | $96,000 | 216 | 96 |
| 5 | Alex Foxen | $72,000 | 180 | 72 |
| 6 | Artem Maksimov | $52,800 | 144 | 53 |
| 7 | Daniel Negreanu | $38,400 | 108 | 38 |
Looking Ahead
With his latest victory, Jeremy Ausmus not only establishes himself as a formidable competitor in the poker world but also sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling remainder of the poker season. As the PokerGO Tour continues to unfold, all eyes will be on Ausmus to see how he builds upon his already impressive year, and whether he will capture even more titles before the season draws to a close.
Photo credits: PokerGO / Antonio Abrego.
