U.S. Poker Open 2026: Clemen Deng's Dominance and Cherish Andrews' Magnificent Comeback

Clemen Deng Conquers the Final Table

The second event of the series, featuring a $5,100 buy-in, attracted 98 entries, creating a prize pool of $490,000. The main star of the final day was Clemen Deng, who entered the race for the title from third position on the leaderboard.

The pivotal moment came in a massive hand against then-chipleader Michael Rossitto. Deng, holding two pairs, defeated Rossitto's top pair to seize a commanding lead. Deng continued eliminating Yifu He, Justin Vaysman, and Rossitto, bringing a 3:1 advantage into the heads-up against Peter Mugar.

Although Mugar briefly took the lead by catching two bluffs, Deng quickly countered. In the tournament's final hand, Deng called Mugar's all-in with A d 7 d against Mugar’s A h 4 c. The board came 7 s T s 7 c 5 c K c, giving Deng trips, securing his fourth PGT title and a $127,400 payday.

Final Table Results for Event #2: $5,100 NLH

Cherish Andrews' Journey from "Retirement" to Victory

The third event, with 115 entries, became the largest of this year's USPO, generating a $575,000 prize pool. The story of Cherish Andrews is all the more fascinating considering she was contemplating retirement from poker due to a frustrating downswing.

Encouraged by her friend Brock Wilson (winner of Event #1), she decided to participate, a decision that proved to be life-changing.

Andrews put on a stunning performance at the final table, eliminating Michael Berk and popular vlogger Ethan “Rampage” Yau. Before the heads-up with Adam Hendrix, they agreed on an ICM deal, leaving the trophy and an additional $9,000 to play for.

Cherish dominated the final clash, with Hendrix stating that "nothing was working." In the climactic hand, Andrews with 9 s 9 d beat Hendrix's 8 h 8 d, capturing her second PGT title and surging to the top of the U.S. Poker Open rankings.

Final Table Results for Event #3: $5,100 NLH

* ICM deal.

Sources: PGT, X