Jonas Kronwitter Triumphs Again: Second Title at 2026 PGT PLO Series

German poker pro Jonas Kronwitter is currently on a remarkable run at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. During the ongoing 2026 PGT PLO Series, he has already cashed in five out of seven completed events, recording two titles and one runner-up finish. His latest victory occurred in the penultimate tournament of the festival, a $15,700 Pot-Limit Omaha event. Out of 65 total entries, Kronwitter emerged as the winner after negotiating a deal with Finnish professional Joni Jouhkimainen during heads-up play. This win alone added $267,563 to his bankroll.

Kronwitter’s success at the series began early with a second-place finish in the opening event for $79,625. After two ninth-place finishes in Events #2 and #4, he broke through for his first victory in Event #5, a $10,500 buy-in tournament that paid out $201,600. Just two days later, he was lifting his second trophy of the series. His total winnings for the festival have now reached $576,088. Within the poker community, these results are highly respected as Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) is considered a mathematically complex variant with significantly higher variance compared to Texas Hold'em.

Numbers and facts

Event #7 featured a total prize pool of $975,000, distributed among the top ten players. The final day started with seven players, with Joni Jouhkimainen holding a substantial chip lead. He quickly eliminated Nicholas Palma in seventh place, who received $39,000. However, Kronwitter gained momentum as the afternoon progressed. A key moment was the elimination of Jeremy Druckman in third place. Kronwitter held quad queens against Druckman to secure a massive chip advantage going into the final showdown. Druckman took home $131,625 for his performance.

With this victory, Kronwitter earned 234 PokerGO Tour points, bringing his total to 598 and placing him at the top of the series standings. He also gained ground in the Card Player Player of the Year race, securing 432 points and currently sitting in 160th place overall. His career tournament earnings have now climbed to over $4.5 million following this heater.

Background

The PGT PLO Series has become a primary hub for the international poker elite specializing in Omaha variants. Alongside Kronwitter, other notable names delivered strong performances. Lautaro Guerra, one of the most successful PLO players in history with over $11.7 million in earnings in the discipline, finished fifth for $73,125. The Spanish star suffered a tough loss when his pocket aces were cracked by Jouhkimainen’s kings after a set hit the board. Matthew Wantman, a seasoned bracelet winner, finished fourth for $97,500.

"Jonas Kronwitter is on a roll inside the PokerGO Studio. He’s cashed in five of the seven completed events so far at the PGT PLO Series, with a runner-up finish and two titles won." - Editorial summary of on-site events on October 4, 2026.

The final duel between Kronwitter and Jouhkimainen was settled via a deal due to the high level of play and the late hour. Jouhkimainen, who boasts career earnings of over $14.4 million, received $215,062 as the runner-up. The players' focus now shifts to the series Main Event, which features a $25,200 buy-in.

Why it matters for German players

While Jonas Kronwitter’s international success is inspiring for German poker fans, the legal situation in Germany remains strict. Anyone wishing to play online poker or slots in Germany should only do so with providers listed on the official whitelist of the Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder (GGL). The State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) sets clear boundaries: there is a cross-operator deposit limit of 1,000 Euro per month, monitored via the LUGAS IT system. Additionally, a maximum stake of 1 Euro per spin applies to virtual slot machines. These rules are designed for player protection and addiction prevention. While pros like Kronwitter participate in high-stakes international tournaments, the regulated German market provides a secure environment for recreational players, excluding illegal offers that lack player safeguards.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

Victories by German professionals on the international stage increase overall interest in poker. For licensed German operators, this presents an opportunity to gain user trust through legal and safe formats. The GGL strictly ensures that no advertising occurs for unlicensed operators, such as those with MGA or Curacao licenses. German players should ensure that a casino carries the official GGL seal. Only then are fair winning odds, verified random number generators, and compliance with strict German data protection guidelines guaranteed. Offers advertising unlimited deposits or no LUGAS connection are illegal in Germany and provide no legal certainty in case of payout disputes.