Nicholas Palma Wins First PGT Title at Poker Masters

Nicholas Palma, a poker player born in New Rochelle, has been competing in poker tournaments for about twenty years. The 37-year-old won his first World Series of Poker bracelet last year in an online progressive knockout event.

In 2026, Palma recorded the three biggest scores of his career. After finishing fourth in the BetMGM Championship and third in a $5,000 live bracelet event, he won the second event of Poker Masters. Facing strong opponents at the final table, the player claimed his first PokerGO Tour title and won $235,200.

With this prize, Palma's total earnings surpassed $5.1 million. He also moved into the top 50 in the Card Player 2026 Player of the Year race. In the Poker Masters purple jacket race, he rose to second place behind Myles Mullaly.

The event drew 84 entries and a total prize pool of $840,000. Among those eliminated on the first day were Sam Soverel, a four-time bracelet winner, Matthew Wantman, and last year's Player of the Year, Jesse Lonis.

Adrian Mateos started the second day as chip leader at the final table. Palma lost a large stack on an early flop, but then recovered with pocket aces and moved close to the lead. The title was decided by the final hands and critical confrontations with Mateos. In the last phase, Palma won the pot with A-K against Mateos's pair of fives and secured the championship.