Wrapping up a star-studded freeroll finale at the PokerGO Studios in Las Vegas, we watched the final table action here at the VIP Grinders office, to see if our predictions came true.
VIP Grinders Pre-Event Predictions
Going into the PokerGO Tour’s season-ending $1,000,000 Championship freeroll, we all had opinions. This kind of format reminded me of the original WTP Winner’s tournament that would wrap up a new season. After watching an incredible slate of live results throughout 2025, a few names stood out in the VIP Grinders office:
The Steady Hand: Jeremy Ausmus
Ausmus had quietly been the most consistent high roller in the room all year. With deep runs from EPT Barcelona to the PokerGO Tour PLO Series II and solid finishes at the NAPT, there was every reason to expect him to thrive in a freeroll where aggression and patience both pay dividends.
The Hall-of-Fame Vet: Nick Schulman
Schulman’s storied career, including multiple WSOP bracelets and seven-figure scores earlier in the season, not to mention him being inducted in the poker Hall of Fame, made him an obvious contender. Experience at big final tables is worth its weight in chips.
High Roller Threats: Alex Foxen & Others
Foxen’s 2025 PGT title and comeback runs suggested a big finish was possible, while other tournament heavyweights like Daniel Negreanu and Michael Wang were on everyone’s radar too.
The $1M PGT Freeroll Final 6
By the time play reached the money, six players remained, each with meaty credentials:
- Jeremy Ausmus
- Nick Schulman
- Calvin Anderson
- Dylan Weisman
- Chris Hunichen
- Jim Collopy
This wasn’t a soft table — players here had deep histories in high stakes poker and years of tournament experience.
Champion Profile: Jeremy Ausmus
When the final hand fell, it was Jeremy Ausmus standing tall with the $500,000 first-place prize.
Why Ausmus Was a Legit Favourite
Ausmus finished the year with numerous deep runs in high buy-in events, from EPT stops in Europe to PGT high rollers and NAPT cashes, underlining his adaptability across structures and field sizes.
With over $28 million in live tournament winnings, Ausmus is one of the most successful live pros of his generation — and his track record suggested a big freeroll finish was far from a surprise.
The Runner-Up: Nick Schulman
Schulman wasn’t just a footnote — he owned the spotlight for much of the freeroll. A multi-bracelet winner with multiple high roller scores including a 2025 WSOP bracelet, he played strong throughout and only slipped at the last hurdle.
His resume — from $10,000 Mixed games to Pot-Limit Omaha success — makes him one of the most versatile tournament pros alive today.
The VIP Grinders Takeaway
We had Ausmus in our top tier from day 1 — and he delivered. But the way Schulman bulldozed through the field reminded everyone that instinct still matters in this GTO-heavy poker era. The freeroll format also meant players could take shots they might avoid in standard buy-ins, leading to dynamic final table play.
Future Watchlist: Keep your eyes on players like Michael Wang and Chris Hunichen — both showcased the ability to mix aggression with solid decision-making.
