With the 2026 Spring Championship of On-line Poker (SCOOP) getting underway this Sunday, Benjamin “Spraggy” Spragg finds himself at a singular crossroads.
Historically, the collection is a marathon of late nights, excessive stakes, and a full-on month of streaming. However this yr, the PokerStars Ambassador is balancing probably the most prestigious grind in on-line poker with a way more demanding schedule: fatherhood.
With a four-month-old son at residence and a collection that has moved as much as an earlier March slot, Spraggy sat down with PokerNews to debate his quest to shed the “practically man” label, and the way childcare is altering up his SCOOPschedule..
Preserving the Status
In an period the place the poker calendar is crammed with eye-catching tournaments and big ensures each week, Spraggy stays a agency believer within the sanctity of the “COOPs.” Whereas many tournaments are shortly forgotten, he argues that SCOOP has managed to retain its soul by means of sheer longevity.
“I do not assume you may get any extra particular than SCOOP”
“It feels totally different, clearly, as a result of it is just a little bit earlier,” he mentioned. “However I do not assume you may get any extra particular than SCOOP.
“We now have some huge cash in poker nowadays, in all probability greater than ever, really. By way of totally different collection that you simply play, you can be in motion 24/7 should you wished to. However more often than not, you are simply taking part in for cash, and also you overlook who wins what. And you find yourself asking your self whether or not the winners matter.
“However you may’t purchase 10 or 15 years of historical past. It has to emerge naturally, which SCOOP has. Folks come out to play for the trophies. SCOOP nonetheless means one thing, and I feel bodily trophies do go an extended solution to serving to that as nicely.”
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Spraggy says that one factor that helps with status is the presence of bodily trophies for on-line tournaments, one thing PokerStars arms out for SCOOP and WCOOP. The proud proprietor of two WCOOP titles, and PokerStars Ambassador since 2017, Spraggy says he has them on show in his home.
“Every time folks come over [and see the trophies], they’re all the time intrigued. ‘What did you win this one for?’ or ‘What was one of the best one?’ And it is good to have recollections of tournaments. I do not keep in mind successful the $215 StacKOsaurus or the Huge $109. However I keep in mind my $5.50 WCOOP win. I keep in mind the $1,050 Turbo PKO WCOOP win.”
Diapers, Sleep, and Solver Deficits
The most important variable within the 2026 marketing campaign is Spraggy’s life off-camera. With an toddler in the home, the “10-hour session” is now not a assure. He and his spouse, fellow poker participant Marle Spragg, are actually coordinating their grinds round “shared accountability” for childcare.
“I will be taking part in as a lot as I can. There could be some days after I’m not capable of do a full 10-hour session as I usually would. Particularly with Marle trying to find trophies as nicely.
“The SCOOP Heat-Up helped get the attention again in and dirt off the cobwebs. Having good tournaments to play and getting your eye again in, getting used to taking part in greater stakes, it undoubtedly helped.”
The “Almost Man” Narrative
Regardless of having two WCOOP titles to his identify, the SCOOP trophy has remained frustratingly out of attain. Spraggy likens his historical past within the collection to the England nationwide soccer crew at main tournaments—all the time a contender, however usually falling simply brief.
“I’ve put myself in positions to win, and I feel sooner or later it would occur”
“I’ve misplaced heads-up for a SCOOP title possibly three or 4 instances,” says Spraggy. “So I’ve carried out all of the onerous work. I’ve put myself in positions to win, and I feel it would occur sooner or later.
“You could be one of the best participant in SCOOP and find yourself not successful. Or conversely, you can be like me, the worst participant and possibly win. You’ll be able to’t hyperfixate an excessive amount of on not having gained the trophy so long as you are taking part in your finest and placing your finest foot ahead.”
Spraggy says that on-line poker tournaments and poker typically are ongoing processes. As an alternative of coaching for a serious championship, usually, coaching occurs side-by-side with taking part in.
“Poker is simply one thing that you simply’re all the time chipping away at your errors, and attempting to repair your leaks. And you’ve got simply received to do it on the job. All I can do is put together one of the best I can and see the place the playing cards fall.”
However as for the million-dollar query, what would a win really feel like?
“Once I gained the $5.50 WCOOP, it was in Dublin in the course of the pandemic. And it was for $4,000, and I used to be leaping up and down on the mattress, I used to be so excited. I used to be delighted as a result of that is one thing to carry onto, one thing that is actual.
“It is one thing that in 10 years, when my little boy grows up and says, ‘What did you do? I will be capable of present him this trophy that I gained. In a world the place every part else is ephemeral, to me, successful one thing and having one thing with a historical past actually issues.”
Will Shillibier
Managing Editor
He graduated from the College of Kent in 2017 with a B.A. in German. He additionally holds an NCTJ Diploma in Sports activities Journalism.
