Vitalijs Zavorotnijs Wins Poker Masters Event No. 4

Vitalijs Zavorotnijs is the latest champion crowned inside the PokerGO Studio. The seasoned poker player from Riga, Latvia took down the fourth $10,000 buy-in event on the 2026 Poker Masters schedule, earning his second PGT title and the top prize of $224,000. This victory was the fifth-largest score of his career, with Zavorotnijs now boasting more than $3.6 million in career cashes.

The 80-entry turnout created an $800,000 prize pool, with a dozen players cashing. The first seven knockouts inside the money took place late on day 1, with notables like Chris Hunichen, Joey Weissman, Jeremy Ausmus, Sam Laskowitz, and Erik Seidel among those to fall ahead of the break in play. The final day began with five remaining, and Zavorotnijs out in front.

The first knockout of the day came quickly, with Andrew Lichtenberger eliminated in fifth place. Jamie Dwan was ground down to just a few big blinds before getting all-in with A♥6♦ and was eliminated in fourth place. Nicholas Palma, just a couple of days removed from a win in event no. 2 for $235,200, survived to the final three in this tournament for his second six-figure score of the festival. Zavorotnijs pulled ahead by the time final hand of the tournament was dealt. The closing cooler began with a limp for 125,000 from Deng holding J♣4♦. Zavorotnijs checked his option with the Q♦4♥ and the pair went to a flop of Q♠J♦4♠. Zavorotnijs checked with top and bottom pair and Deng fired 125,000 with bottom two, only to face a check-raise to 400,000. Deng came along and the 4♣ turn gave both players full houses. Zavorotnijs fired 350,000 with his fours full of queens and Deng called with fours full of jacks. The 8♣ completed the board and Zavorotnijs bet 2,000,000. Deng moved all-in for 3,890,000. Zavorotnijs quickly called and revealed his superior boat to lock up the pot and the title. Deng earned $144,000 as the runner-up, growing his career haul to nearly $7.2 million.