Adrian Mateos Wins Poker Masters Event #5, Takes Purple Jacket Lead

Adrian Mateos has claimed his first title of the 2026 Poker Masters series, taking down Event #5 for $229,500. The $10,500 no-limit hold’em tournament drew a field of 51 entrants at the PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas, producing a total prize pool of $510,000.

Mateos defeated Nick Schulman in heads-up play to secure the victory, becoming the fifth different champion in as many events during this year’s Poker Masters. The win also propelled the Spanish pro to the top of the Purple Jacket standings, the series’ prestigious award given to the player who accumulates the most points across all events.

Key facts

A new leader in the Purple Jacket chase

With this victory, Mateos now leads the Purple Jacket standings, surpassing previous leaders from the earlier events. The Purple Jacket is awarded at the conclusion of the Poker Masters series to the player with the highest cumulative points total, a system that rewards deep runs and final-table appearances across the entire schedule.

The field in Event #5 included many of the game’s top tournament professionals. The final table featured a mix of experienced high-stakes players and rising stars, with Schulman eventually falling to Mateos after a lengthy heads-up battle. Schulman earned $153,000 for his runner-up finish.

A series of first-time winners

The 2026 Poker Masters has been notable for its diversity of champions. Each of the first five events has produced a different winner, a pattern that highlights the depth of talent in modern high-stakes tournament poker. Event #1 went to a different player, Event #2 to another, and so on through Event #5. This run of unique winners keeps the Purple Jacket race wide open and maintains interest for fans following the series.

Mateos, a multiple-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner and one of Europe’s most successful tournament players, adds this Poker Masters title to a long list of accomplishments. His ability to close out a tough final table against a player of Schulman’s caliber reinforces his reputation as one of the best in the game.

What this means for the remainder of the series

With several events still to play, the Purple Jacket race is far from decided. Mateos holds the current lead, but players like Schulman and other early-event winners remain within striking distance. Each remaining event carries points that can reshuffle the standings, especially if a player makes multiple deep runs.

For fans of high-stakes tournament poker, the Poker Masters provides a concentrated schedule of elite competition. The series is held at the PokerGO Studio, a venue designed for live-streamed final tables, allowing viewers to follow the action as it happens. The coverage includes hole-card cameras and expert commentary, making it accessible to both casual viewers and serious poker students.

Poker Masters has become a fixture on the tournament calendar since its inception, attracting top talent from around the world. The $10,500 buy-in level is accessible to a wider range of professionals than the $50,000 and $100,000 events found in other series, which contributes to the larger fields and the variety of winners seen so far.

For video poker players, the tournament format offers lessons in bankroll management, decision-making under pressure, and the importance of adapting to opponents — skills that translate directly to video poker strategy. While the games differ, the mental discipline required to succeed in both formats shares common ground.

Source: PokerTube – Adrian Mateos Beats Nick Schulman to Win Poker Masters Event #5 for $229,500 (https://www.pokertube.com/article/adrian-mateos-wins-poker-masters-event-5)