Ren Lin Wins 2023 U.S. Poker Open Event #2 for $231,000

Ren Lin captured his first PokerGO Major Title and his first win in the PokerGO Studio when he won U.S. Poker Open Event #2: $10,000 NL Hold'em for $231,000. Lin outlasted the field of 105 entries, and deafeated a red-hot Nacho Barbero in heads-up play to earn the victory.

“It was my first time winning a tournament in here, and it feels great.” Lin said after winning his first PGT event inside the PokerGO Studio. "I like this place and all the guys. It’s very nice and comfortable here. Everything is perfect here at the PokerGO Studio."

Event #2 matched Event #1 in terms of field size with its 105 entries, tieing the record for largest-ever owned-and-operated $10,000 buy-in no-limit hold'em event in PGT history, as well as largest field size ever in a U.S. Poker Open event. 

The win moved Lin over $4,200,000 in career live tournament earnings, according to TheHendonMob.com and marked his 12th six-figure score. The $231,000 first-place prize represents the 4th largest cash of Lin's career with his larger scores coming in the WSOP $50,000 High Roller in 2021 ($903,610), the $25,000 PCA High Roller earlier this year ($619,200), and his 2nd place finish in the PGT PLO Series just last week ($352,750).

“After I finished second in the PGT PLO Series $25,000 Championship, I felt sad.” Lin said on reaching his second final table within a week. “I felt that I could win that one as I had a seven to one chip lead heads-up. But finally I win today."

Lin began the final day in third place, behind Day 1 chip leader Nate Silver and Aram Zobian, and sat near the middle of the pack with 1,935,000 chips. But Lin started out the day hot, spiking a miracle two outer against Erik Seidel when his pocket sevens fell behind Seidel's ace-jack on an ace-high flop. This vaulted him into the chip lead which he traded back and forth with Nate Silver before the two played a tournament deciding pot. In the hand, Lin turned a straight, while Silver made two pair. Lin put Silver all in and Silver took a dip in the tank before calling off. Lin faded the river and took a massive stack into three-handed play. 

Robert Chorlian was quickly dispatched in third place after Lin woke up with ace-king in the big blind against Cholian's shove from the small blind with queen-nine and would hold to bring a nearly 5-1 chip advantage into heads-up play. Nacho Barbero improved upon his 5th place finish in Event #1 with a runner-up finish in Event #2 but would be unable to put a stop to Ren Lin. In the final hand, Barbero moved in with king-seven and Lin would called with ace-five. Barbero failed to improve and Lin would take home the trophy and his first PokerGO Major Title. 

Lin also took home 231 PGT for the win, which he adds to the 53 points he earned in Event #1 to take the lead in the race for U.S. Poker Open Series Champion, which comes with a $50,000 championship bonus for the winner. Lin said he plans to keep chasing more points in the series and playing more events. 

“I’m just very lucky right now,” Lin said about his chances on topping the U.S. Poker Open leaderboard. “I’m not as good as some of the players, but I’m lucky.” 

2023 U.S. Poker Open Event #2 Results

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