The opening occasion of the 2026 PokerGO Cup has reached its conclusion inside PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas. After a marathon heads-up battle in opposition to Myles Mullaly, studio newcomer Kent Stephens of Utah emerged victorious in Occasion #1: $3,000 PokerGO Cup Showcase to win his first main title and $130,000 — greater than ten occasions his earlier event earnings.
“He was a troublesome child,” Stephens advised PokerNews about his heads-up opponent, including that he determined to play the mid-stakes occasion for an opportunity to play with poker professionals he is watched on TV over time.
The opening occasion drew 215 runners throughout two beginning flights for a prize pool of $645,000.
The ultimate desk additionally included two-time bracelet winner Jim Collopy, Vegas grinder Daniyal Gheba and fellow PokerGO Studio newcomer Sandeep Koralla.
$3,000 PokerGO Cup Showcase Closing Desk Outcomes
1Kent StephensUnited States$130,000
2Myles MullalyUnited States$85,000
3Daniyal GhebaUnited States$61,000
4Sandeep KorallaUnited States$48,000
5Natalie FergusonUnited States$38,000
6Jim CollopyUnited States$31,000
7Aaron MessmerUnited States$25,000
Utah Man Closes Out
There have been 31 gamers who returned for Day 2, all of whom have been within the cash and assured a payout of at the very least $61,000.
With everybody within the cash, gamers fell from the Day 2 discipline faster than wild boars on an Japanese Europe highway. Among the early eliminations included poker coach Jonathan Little, longtime professionals Chino Rheem and David “ODB” Baker and German professional Manig Loeser.
Final qualifier standing Adam Bonilla, a every day grinder who gained a satellite tv for pc to play the largest buy-in of his profession, practically turned his satellite tv for pc ticket right into a last desk look as he was eradicated in tenth place by the hands of Daniyal Gheba.
Regardless of some nerves, Bonilla was in his component within the occasion he certified for, and he spoke to PokerNews in regards to the expertise.
The elimination of David Kim made method for the ultimate desk, which moved rapidly as Aaron Messmer fell in seventh place to Mullaly in one of many first fingers. Three-time bracelet winner Jim Collopy was the following to go, adopted by Natalie Ferguson after she was left quick by working out of time banks when she was about to.
It was a little bit of luck on Ferguson’s facet as she was beat within the hand, however she nonetheless fell in fifth place after a small spin-up. The eliminations of Koralla and Gheba arrange would might’ve been a fast heads-up match in opposition to Stephens and Mullaly, who held an amazing chip lead however quickly doubled up Gheba to decelerate the motion significantly.
The 2 traded leads earlier than Stephens pulled forward and finally had his pocket threes maintain up in opposition to Mullaly’s nine-eight to win the title.
Utah’s faculty basketball groups could have misplaced by a mixed 63 factors on Tuesday evening, however the night was form to at least one Utah native.
*Photographs courtesy of PokerGO and Antonio Abrego
Connor Richards
Senior Editor U.S.
