Kristen Foxen has begun the 2025 PokerGO Tour (PGT) season at the ARIA Resort & Casino with an incredible performance, securing the title in the final event of the $10,100 PGT Kickoff Series.

After a heads-up deal with Joao Simao, the two finalists each took home $197,625, with Foxen earning the trophy and a valuable boost to her PGT points.

Kristen Foxen entered the final day at the PokerGO Studio as the chip leader and maintained her position for much of the tournament.

Kristen outlasted a formidable final table lineup that included Andrew Moreno, Joao Simao, Neil Warren, Nick Seward, Stephen Song, and 2024 PGT Player of the Year Jeremy Ausmus.

Tough Final Table Action

The final table saw several dramatic moments. Neil Warren was the first to bust at the final table, finishing seventh for $37,200. Nick Seward followed in sixth for $46,500. 

At that point, Foxen had 60% of the chips. However, she lost an all-in clash holding 3♥ 3♣ against Moreno A♣ K♠ and Simao A♥ 9♥. The board ran out 7♥ 4♣ 7♦ 4♣ 9♠, giving Simao a crucial triple-up and eliminating Moreno in fifth place for $65,100.

Starting as one of the shortest stacks, Jeremy Ausmus managed to survive a few key spots but ultimately fell in fourth place for $83,700.

Simao then won another all-in to double up and eliminated Stephen Song in third place for $111,600.

In heads-up play, both players had around seven million chips each, equating to 35 big blinds. They split the remaining prize pool, each earning $197,625 evenly, leaving the PGT points and trophy on the line.

Both players had around seven million chips each, equating to about 35 big blinds. Foxen won the first hand of the heads-up match to regain the chip lead.

On the last hand, Foxen limped on the button with  7♠ 9♣, and Simao raised 700,000 from the big blind. Foxen made the call, and the flop came 7♥ 4♠ 3♥.
Simao opted to check, prompting Foxen to bet 550,000. Simao responded with a check-raise to 1,700,000, and Foxen called.
The turn fell an 8♣, the action checked through to the river, and  8♥ completed the board.

On the final board, 7♥ 4♠ 3♥ 8♣ 8♥, Simao moved all in for just over four million, and after a time extension, Foxen called with 7♠ 9♣ for two pairs. Simao could only show a bluff with  A♠ T♥.

Final Table Results

A Back-to-Back Kickoff Series Champion

Kristen Foxen also won a PGT Kickoff Series finale last year, beating Daniel Negreanu in a heads-up for $165,000. Foxen’s 2024 win against Negreanu relied on exploiting his loose-aggressive tendencies; this year, she adjusted to Simao’s hyper-aggressive style.  

Foxen’s patience in marginal spots and willingness to call down bluffs make her one of the toughest players in the series.

With back-to-back wins in the PGT Kickoff Series, Foxen has solidified her reputation as one of the strongest players to watch in future PokerGO Tour events.

Kristen Foxen Captures Event #7: $15,100 No-Limit Hold’em event

Kristen Foxen proved once again why she is one of the most formidable players in the poker world, overcoming a rocky start at the final table to claim victory in Event #7: $15,100 No-Limit Hold’em at the 2025 PokerGO Tour (PGT) PLO Series. 

Kristen Foxen secured the trophy and a massive $348,300 first-place prize and earned 279 PGT points, propelling herself into contention for the series leaderboard.

This victory adds another prestigious title to Foxen’s growing résumé. Despite entering the final table as one of the two short stacks, she weathered an early storm of wild swings and crucial doubles to seize control and dominate the field.

A Roller-Coaster Path to Victory

The final table of Event #7 was anything but smooth sailing, with multiple chip swings and dramatic double-ups marking the early stages of play.

Sergio Aido found himself crippled early by David Peters, only to rebound with a double-up through Patrick Leonard moments later.

Meanwhile, Eric Wasserson, who started the day slightly behind Foxen in chips, became the first casualty, busting in seventh place ($51,600, 41 PGT points) after his 4♦ 2♦ couldn’t overcome Farid Jattin’s A♠ J♠.

Kristen Foxen’s comeback began with a clash of her A♠ K♠ vs. A♣ Q♣ showdown against Leonard, allowing her to move off the short stack and into a more comfortable position.
However, the following level was nothing short of chaos, with six consecutive doubles keeping short stacks alive.

One of the most pivotal hands came when Foxen woke up with K♦ K♠ in the small blind and snap-called Jattin’s shove with K♥ J♥. Holding firm, Foxen catapulted into the chip lead, a position she would not relinquish.

As the field thinned, Foxen’s ability to apply relentless pressure became evident. David Peters, who once looked poised to challenge her dominance, found himself all-in with A♣ Q♣ against Foxen’s A♠ 4♠, a four on the flop and another on the river sent Peters home in sixth place ($64,500, 52 PGT points), giving Foxen nearly 60% of the chips in play.

Aido, despite an impressive fight, couldn’t keep his momentum going. His final stand came with A♦ 4♦ against Foxen’s A♠ Q♠, leading to his fifth-place elimination ($90,300, 72 PGT points).

From that moment, Kristen Foxen seemed destined for the title.

Erik Seidel fell in fourth place ($116,100, 93 PGT points) when his Q♦ Q♥ couldn’t hold against Jattin’s  A♠ J♠, sending the game into three-handed play.

Jattin, one of the most active players, ran into Foxen’s momentum. His last 1,600,000 chips went in with K♠ Q♠, only for Foxen to call with A♠ Q♠.

Despite flopping a Broadway draw, Jattin bricked the turn and river, bowing out in third place ($161,250, 129 PGT points).

Entering heads-up play, Foxen held an 80% chip lead over Patrick Leonard, who fought valiantly to even the stacks.

He managed to double up early, but his tournament run came to a heartbreaking end when his A♠ 9♠ fell to Foxen’s K♠ J♥ on the 10♥ 4♠ 4♣ Q♦ J♦ board.

Leonard settled for second place ($225,750, 181 PGT points), while Foxen officially claimed the crown.

Event #7 Final Table Payouts

Kristen Foxen Climbs the PokerGO Cup Standings

Foxen’s win earned her a huge payday and launched her into serious contention for the 2025 PokerGO Cup leaderboard.

With 332 total points, she now sits in fourth place, just behind Eric Blair (568 points), Michael Moncek (484 points), and current leader Joey Weissman (581 points).

Kristen Foxen’s remarkable consistency throughout the season has also positioned her atop the 2025 PGT Season Leaderboard with 857 points, surpassing Weissman in the race for overall dominance.

As the PokerGO Cup Championship Event approaches, the battle for leaderboard supremacy is heating up. With Kristen’s current form, she remains a serious contender.

2025 PokerGO Cup Leaderboard (Top 10)

With the $25,000 Championship Event looming, Foxen and several other contenders still have a shot at claiming the 2025 PokerGO Cup title.

The Poker Hall of Fame Worthy Career in the Making

With this latest victory, Kristen Foxen’s total live tournament earnings now exceed $9.4 million, placing her second on the Women’s All-Time Money List, just behind Vanessa Selbst. 

Her remarkable track record, marked by significant victories and consistent deep runs, positions her as a leading contender for future induction into the Poker Hall of Fame to join the greatest players like Doyle Brunson, Jack Binion, Phil Ivey, Patrick Antonius, etc.

Visit PokerGo Tour for the latest updates and more details on the event, including final table results and player rankings.