Nick Guagenti Wins PGT Mixed Games Triple Draw Mix Event

Nick Guagenti has moved into the lead in the 2023 PGT Mixed Games player of the series points race. The World Series of Poker bracelet winner from Westerville, Ohio secured his second final-table finish and first title of the series by taking down event no. 5, the $10,300 buy-in triple draw mix tournament.

Guagenti overcame a field of 69 entries in the event to earn $171,075. This was the fourth-largest score of his tournament career, and it grew his lifetime earnings to more than $2.3 million.

As the champion of this lowball-centric event, Guagenti secured 186 PGT points. When combined with his 104 points earned as the third-place finisher in the kickoff H.O.R.S.E. event, Guagenti’s total grew to 290. As a result, he now holds a 19-point lead over John Monnette, who also won an event and made a final table (finishing fourth).

This event played out over the course of two days inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.

“I have done well here,” Guagenti told PGT reporters when asked about the venue. “I think I’ve final tabled four out of six times I’ve played here. I like the structure, I love the place. The whole atmosphere just puts me in a good mood and it’s easier for me to play when I feel that way. I’m running good too, obviously.”

The tournament featured a rotation of three games: deuce-to-seven triple-draw lowball, ace-to-five triple-draw lowball, and badugi. The top ten finishers made the money, with four-time bracelet winner Brian Yoon (10th), five-time bracelet winner Brian Rast (8th), and three-time bracelet winner Dan Zack (7th) among those who cashed but hit the rail short of the final table.

Bracelet winner Alex Livingston came into the final day leading the six remaining contenders. Damjan Radanov was the first to fall during a round of ace-to-five lowball. His 5-4-2-A draw going into the last round could not beat out the 8-7-6-4-2 of Livingston, who stood pat for the final draw. Radanov paired and was eliminated in sixth place ($41,400).

In the same game, Dan Shak’s 6-5-4-2-A ran into the wheel of Guagenti to end his run in fifth place ($55,200). Guagenti took the lead briefly, but Livingston surged back out front when he made a 7-6-4-3-2 against the 5-4-3-2 draw of Mike Gorodinsky. The final card for the two-time bracelet winner was an 8, which meant that he was sent to the rail with $69,000 for his fourth-place showing.

Mike “Crazy Mike” Thorpe was left quite short after losing a big pot to Livingston’s 8-6-4-2 badugi. He soon got all-in during a round of deuce-to-seven lowball and was called by both of his opponents. He ended up making a J-10-6-5-4, but Guagenti showed down a 9-8-7-4-3 to win the pot. Thorpe earned $89,700 as the third-place finisher.

With that, Livingston entered heads-up play with 7,450,000 to Guagenti’s 2,900,000. Guagenti won a big deuce-to-seven hand with a 7-6 low to nearly tie things up. At that point, the final two came to a deal that saw them each lock up more than $150,000 while leaving $20,000 and the title to play for.

The lead changed hands a few times, but it was Guagenti who had the final surge. He held more than a 3:1 chip advantage when the final hand was dealt. In deuce-to-seven, Livingston raised on the button and Guagenti three-bet. Livingston called. Guagenti took one and Livingston two. Guagenti bet and then three-bet over Livingston’s raise. Livingston called and both players stood pat. Guagenti bet and Livingston called. Both players remained pat on the final draw and Guagenti bet again. Livingston called all-in for just shy of the full bet and Guagenti rolled over 7-5-4-3-2 for the buts. Livingston mucked and was eliminated as the runner-up. The Canadian now has nearly $6.7 million in career tournament earnings after securing $153,225 for this deep run.

Here is a look at the payouts and rankings points awarded at the final table:

Winner photo credit: PokerGO Tour / Antonio Abrego.

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