James Chen Dominates PGT PLO Series with 8 Bounties and $239K Win

James Chen made a significant mark in the poker world by winning event no. 4 of the PGT PLO Series, a $10,500 quattro bounty tournament. His victory earned him $239,000 in total prize money, including $132,000 from bounty prizes. This win marks Chen’s second career PGT title, following his 2024 PGT PLO Series II victory, which also came in event no. 4.

Chen’s performance was nothing short of dominant. He claimed eight of the 14 bounties in play, earning a substantial amount from these prizes. Runner-up Richard Gryko had two bounties, totaling $100,400, while third-place finisher Youness Barakat doubled his claim with three bounties, taking home $95,900. Chen’s win is worth 300 Card Player Player of the Year points, giving him his third qualifying cash of 2026.

The tournament drew 57 entries, with $570,000 going to the main prize pool and $228,000 dedicated to bounty prizes. Chen picked up early bounties by knocking out both Sam Soverel and Dylan Weisman before the official money bubble popped. He then burst the bubble himself, picking up a pair of bounties while sending Cesar Garcia out on the bubble and eliminating Jonas Kronwitter in ninth place. Barakat sent Chino Rheem to the rail in eighth place and doubled through Jeremy Ausmus at the same time, courtesy of a flopped set of jacks.