Ray Qartomy Wins 1st PGT Title in Texas Poker Open $5K High Roller

The Texas Poker Open continued at Champions Club in Houston, Texas, with the PGT High Roller Event #1: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em.

Houston local Ray Qartomy emerged victorious to win his first PGT title and the $40,500 first-place prize. He takes home the prestigious Texas Poker Open belt buckle and 41 PGT points for his seventh career PGT cash and fifth final table. Qartomy now has eclipsed more than $5,310,000 in lifetime tournament earnings, according to The Hendon Mob, and also moves to 203rd on the United States All-Time Money List.

The first high roller tournament of the series attracted a 15-entrant field that paid the final three players. PGT regular Jeremy Becker was eliminated on the money bubble when his ace-ten was outdrawn on the turn by Ed Sebesta's ace-eight. David Chen was eliminated in third place for $12,000 when his ace-king suited couldn't improve against the pocket sixes of Qartomy. Qartomy held nearly a three-to-one chip lead over Sebesta, but Sebesta doubled through with two pair against Qartomy's aces.

With the chips nearly even, Sebesta shoved all-in with ace-eight and Qartomy called with king-queen. The queen on the river sent Sebesta to the rail in second place for $22,500, while Qartomy won his first PGT title in his hometown.

Texas Poker Open High Roller #1: $5,100 No-Limit Hold'em

This was Chen's fifth PGT cash of the season, and he now sits on 126 PGT points and inside the top 100 of the PGT leaderboard. Sebesta cashed for the third time this season and sits with 51 PGT points. This is Qartomy's first cash of the season.

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