Hok Lai was all-in for 37,500 and at risk versus Martin Hellmuth.
Hok Lai: A♦9♦
Martin Hellmuth: A♠K♦
Lai was dominated, but flopped a flush draw on the 8♠6♦2♦ flop. However he got there in an unexpected way, going runner-runner for the straight on the 5♣ turn and 7♥ river.
Steve Jelinek is no stranger to lifting trophies, the UK pro having racked up an astounding 18 recorded live victories during the course of his career amongst recorded career earnings approaching $2,000,000.
The Grosvenor Casino CBS Arena was the scene of one of his greatest triumphs, when he secured the coveted GUKPT Main Event trophy for a £105,050 score in September 2021, and he will return at noon today as chip leader heading into Day 2 of the £550 buy-in PokerNews Cup, as we head into the final day of the record-breaking GOLIATH 2025 festival.
Just behind Jelinek lie Adam Gemmell (830,000) and Henry Bibby (750,000). Gemmell is chasing his biggest career score, while Bibby's lifetime best is a £9,458 cash for a runner-up finish in a Grosvenor 25/50 event in Sheffield in March. All figures are courtesy of The Hendon Mob.
Steve Jelinek
PokerNews Cup Start of Day 2 Top Ten Chip Counts
Rank
Player
Country
Chip Count
1
Steve Jelinek
United Kingdom
869,000
2
Adam Gemmell
United Kingdom
830,000
3
Henry Bibby
United Kingdom
750,000
4
Kartik
612,500
5
S.0.
523,000
6
Jake Scarr
United Kingdom
495,000
7
Brandon Atkins
United Kingdom
482,000
8
Nicholas McLellan
United Kingdom
479,000
9
Emma Barnes
United Kingdom
462,000
10
Matthew Cartwright
United Kingdom
457,000
Plenty of quality players remain in the hunt for the title, including Benjamin Sweetman (425,000), Mitchell Johnson (144,000) and GUKPT Player Of the Year leader Adam Wilkinson (100,000).
Day 1 attracted a total of 746 entrants, with the field reduced to 179 players by the close of play. Late registration is open until the start of Day 2, so the £375,000 current prize pool is sure to swell further. Prize pool and payout information will be confirmed as soon as possible after the close of late registration.
The players return for Day 2 at noon on Sunday, August 3, with the clock set to remain at 30-minute levels, and any additional entrants will receive a 50,000 starting stack. Players will return to blind level 2,500/5,000, with a 5,000 big blind ante, with play to continue until a winner is crowned.
Stick with us here at PokerNews to see who can take home the PokerNews Cup.
