Local Player Dominates at Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026: Four Final Tables

Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026 in Maryland became a highlight of the summer. Matt Mullins reached the final table four times and won twice.

The Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026, held in August in Maryland, became one of the brightest events of the summer on the American poker scene. The series featured nearly twenty tournaments, awarded over $3 million in prize money, and gave spectators plenty of memorable moments. Special attention was drawn to local player Matt Mullins, who made four final tables, won twice, and finished on the podium two more times. Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026: Key Results and Records The Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026 took place from August 5 to 17 at MGM National Harbor. During this time, nearly twenty tournaments were held in various formats, including classic No-Limit Hold'em as well as a range of mixed games, which traditionally attract the region’s strongest players. The total prize pool for the series exceeded $3 million, a significant achievement for a regional poker event. Each tournament drew anywhere from several dozen to over 1,500 players, and winners took home both large six-figure payouts and more modest but prestigious prizes. Among the main stars of the series were Kyle Smith, who won the $3,000 Main Event and took home $136,054, and Ivan Tomic, who became the champion of the $600 Opener, earning $156,190. However, it was Matt Mullins who stood out the most thanks to his consistent results and dominance in mixed games. Matt Mullins: Four Final Tables and Two Wins Matt Mullins, a player from the small town of Oldie, Virginia, has long been known in the local poker community as a mixed games specialist. According to The Hendon Mob, even before the series he had over 20 wins at MGM National Harbor alone. In an interview with PokerNews, Mullins shared that he started his poker career playing No-Limit Hold'em cash games, but during the COVID-19 pandemic he switched to mixed games, quickly found his niche, and became one of the region’s top players. He now regularly organizes $20/$40 limit mixed game cash sessions, which he considers among the best in the country. Mullins’ tournament journey began thanks to another well-known local player — Justin Arnwine, who holds the record for most wins at MGM National Harbor (over 80). Mullins notes that he watched Arnwine’s success in daily tournaments and adopted his discipline and fearlessness — qualities Mullins says are especially valuable at the poker table. During the Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026, Mullins started by chopping first place in the $400 Mixed PLO event with Fred Hoban — both received $5,990. A few days later, he won the $400 8-Game Mix tournament and took home $8,201. Mullins then finished third in the $400 PLO8 event, and repeated this result in the $400 40/40 No-Limit Hold'em tournament, where after a five-way chop his prize was $9,127. Mullins admits that Hold'em is not his strongest discipline, but he was happy to go deep in this tournament. He also noted that six of the seven finalists in the 8-Game Mix event were regulars in his $20/$40 mixed game cash sessions, highlighting the high level of the local mixed games community. Main Winners and Highlights of the Series The series opener, the $600 Opener, drew a record 1,508 entries and a prize pool of $723,540. The winner was Ivan Tomic, who received $156,190. In the $3,000 Main Event, Kyle Smith took the victory and earned $136,054. In the $1,100 High Roller, Kyle Lin stood out, winning $21,600 and immediately registering for the Main Event afterward. In the $400 PLO8 event, three-time WSOP bracelet winner Nathan Gamble claimed victory, once again confirming his status as one of the world’s best in this discipline. Other winners of the series included: John P. Hall — $500 NLH, prize $20,615 William Batts — $400 Big O, prize $9,258 Kenya Jackson — $300 Womens event, prize $5,444 (already had several Potomac wins before this) The series was memorable not only for its final tables but also for its colorful stories. For example, political commentator Tim Pool was eliminated from tournaments twice in a row with minimal odds of losing, and Michael McQuade shared a story about winning a tournament after being injured while chasing a raccoon. Full List of Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026 Winners Ivan Tomic — $600 Opener — $156,190 Kyle Smith — $3,000 Main Event — $136,054 Matt Mullins / Fred Hoban — $400 Mixed PLO — $5,990 each (chop) Matt Mullins — $400 8-Game Mix — $8,201 Matt Mullins — $400 PLO8 — 3rd place Matt Mullins — $400 40/40 NLH — 3rd place, $9,127 (chop among 5 players) Nathan Gamble — $400 PLO8 — winner Kyle Lin — $1,100 High Roller — $21,600 John P. Hall — $500 NLH — $20,615 William Batts — $400 Big O — $9,258 Kenya Jackson — $300 Womens event — $5,444 Context: Series, Venue, Players The Potomac Summer Poker Open is an annual poker series held at MGM National Harbor in Maryland. The venue is known as a hub for the strongest players on the US East Coast, and the series itself is renowned for its variety of formats and high level of organization. Matt Mullins is one of the most successful players at MGM National Harbor, especially in mixed games. His inspiration and role model is Justin Arnwine, the record holder for most wins at this venue. Other notable participants in the series include Nathan Gamble (three WSOP bracelets), Fred Hoban, Kyle Lin, Kenya Jackson, and others. Mullins’ success in mixed games and his regular $20/$40 cash sessions highlight the high level of preparation and strong sense of community among local players. Poker Formats and Terms: Brief Explanation Mixed Games — formats in which various poker disciplines are rotated at the same table, such as Hold'em, Omaha, Stud, and others. This requires players to be versatile and have a deep understanding of different rules. PLO (Pot-Limit Omaha) — a type of Omaha with betting limited to the size of the pot. PLO8 (Omaha Hi-Lo 8 or Better) — a variant of Omaha where the pot is split between the best high and best qualifying low hand (if a low hand is possible). 8-Game Mix — a tournament where eight different poker disciplines are played in rotation. Big O — a type of Omaha where players are dealt five cards instead of four. NLH (No-Limit Hold'em) — classic no-limit Hold'em. Chop — splitting the prize money among several players, usually at the final table. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players The results of the Potomac Summer Poker Open 2026 clearly show that deep knowledge of mixed games and regular practice in various formats provide a serious edge even at major series. For PPPoker club players, this is a great reason to pay attention to mixed games and expand your arsenal with new formats available on the platform. Matt Mullins’ success story highlights the importance of community: regular games with strong opponents help you grow faster and achieve consistent results. Organizing your own mixed games in PPPoker clubs can be a great way to improve your skills and prepare for live series. Finally, the variety of tournaments and prize structures at the Potomac Summer Poker Open is a reminder: to be a successful player, it’s important not only to play your usual formats but also to try new disciplines. Use PPPoker’s opportunities to practice different types of poker so you’re ready for any challenge — both online and live.