Patrick Leonard, a longtime well-respected name in the poker world and an ambassador of CoinPoker, has started off his 2025 campaign with an electrifying victory. Competing in the PokerGO Tour (PGT) Kickoff Series, Leonard emerged triumphant in Event #2, a $5,100 No-Limit Hold’em tournament held at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas.
Outlasting a field of 96 skilled players, Leonard walked away with a first-place prize of $124,800 and 250 PGT points. His three cashes at the PGT Kickoff series took Leonard all the way up to second place on the 2025 PGT leaderboard, trailing only Kristen Foxen, and signaling a strong start to his year.
Turning the Tables at the Final Table
Leonard’s path to victory was as thrilling as it was skillful. Starting the final table as the shortest stack, he faced an uphill battle. But Leonard is no stranger to pressure. A pivotal moment came when he eliminated Joseph Cheong, holding queen-jack against Cheong’s queen-seven.
That hand not only sent Cheong to the rail but also boosted Leonard’s stack significantly, giving him a strong footing as the competition thinned.
GG @padspoker!
Our ambassador finishes 7th in the PGT Kickoff Event #4 after shoving his final 5bb with JT into TT and finding no help on the runout.
This is his third final table in the series, and we are only in the fourth event! Congrats! pic.twitter.com/T3uvouGWz9
— CoinPoker (@CoinPoker_OFF) January 24, 2025
When it came down to heads-up play, Leonard faced Aram Zobian, starting with a three-to-one chip advantage. Despite Zobian’s determined efforts, Leonard maintained control.
The final hand captured the essence of the showdown: Zobian, holding a turned pair of threes, made a gutsy call, but Leonard’s two pairs sealed the deal. Zobian earned $79,200 for his second-place finish, while Leonard claimed the title and the winner’s trophy.
Pads’ Partnership with CoinPoker
As an ambassador for CoinPoker, Patrick Leonard’s success on the PokerGO Tour aligns perfectly with the platform’s vision of merging innovation and top-tier poker performance. Leonard’s partnership with CoinPoker brings added visibility to the cryptocurrency-based poker platform, which has been gaining traction among players seeking a more transparent and secure gaming environment.
Through this collaboration, Leonard not only represents the platform but also highlights its mission to modernize poker for the digital age.
CoinPoker’s support allows Leonard to focus on his craft while helping to build awareness for a new era of online poker. Known for leveraging blockchain technology, CoinPoker emphasizes fairness and innovation — values that align seamlessly with Leonard’s approach to the game.
Big Success in Sin City
“It feels great to start the year with a win,” Leonard said. “The competition was tough, but I stayed focused and played my game. It’s an incredible feeling to come out on top.”
Las Vegas has been a special place for Leonard throughout his career. With close to $3.5 million in live tournament earnings, the city has often been the backdrop for his success.
In 2017, Leonard made headlines with a streak of wins, including two $25,000 High Roller titles and a Bellagio Cup victory, earning nearly $1.3 million in just a few days. This latest win adds to his growing legacy at the PokerGO Studio, a venue that continues to be a personal favorite.
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