Nicholas Seward Wins WPT Venetian Las Vegas Spring Championship at 25
In one of the most dramatic heads-up comebacks of the early 2026 poker season, 25-year-old Nicholas Seward captured the World Poker Tour (WPT) Venetian Las Vegas Spring Championship title, banking $418,700 and claiming his first ever WPT trophy.
The tournament, held at the Venetian Poker Room from February 19–24, attracted 488 entries and generated a prize pool of $2,244,800 — well past the event’s $2,000,000 guarantee. Seward entered heads-up play as the shorter stack against runner-up Gregory Brown, who ultimately took home $270,000 for second place.
A Star-Studded Final Table
The final table was packed with accomplished veterans. Anthony Zinno, a three-time WPT champion, finished fifth and earned $114,000. Lily Kiletto, who had just finished runner-up in the $3,300 PGT Venetian Las Vegas Classic Main Event less than a year earlier, busted in fourth place for $151,000. Drake Kemper and Eddie Pak also made deep runs at the final table.
Seward, relatively unknown on the major circuit before this result, navigated the final table with poise. ‘Everything that could have gone right went right,’ Seward told WPT in his post-victory interview.
The Road to Victory
Despite trailing significantly when heads-up play began, Seward mounted a steady comeback against Brown, capitalizing on key moments and demonstrating the composure of a seasoned professional. His ability to maintain focus in high-pressure situations was on full display as he overcame a nearly impossible deficit to seal the title.
The win propels Seward into the spotlight as one of the most exciting young talents on the 2026 WPT tour. With the WPT World Championship set to take place later in December at Wynn Las Vegas — featuring a $10,000 buy-in and potentially record-breaking prize pools — Seward will certainly be a name to watch.
What’s Next for the WPT Season?
The WPT continued its 2026 calendar in March with several international stops, including events in Cambodia and Europe through WPT Prime. The tour’s season-ending WPT World Championship, typically held in December at Wynn Las Vegas, remains the pinnacle event every player aspires to reach.
