Event #9: $10,000 NLH
Day 2 Completed
2026 PokerGO Cup
Event #9: $10,000 NLH
Day: 2
Event Info
2026 PokerGO Cup
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 2
Buy-in
$10,000
Total Entries
70
Level
23
Blinds
75,000 / 150,000
Ante
150,000
Entries
7
Players Left
1
Players Left 1 / 70
Filter
Level 23
: Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
High-stakes crusher Sean Winter added another title to his already accomplished resume after defeating a field of 70 entries to win Event #9: $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em at the 2026 PokerGO Cup inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
Winter navigated a stacked final table and ultimately defeated Benjamin Grise in heads-up play to capture the $210,000 top prize and another PokerGO Tour trophy. The victory adds to Winter’s long list of high-roller successes, further cementing his reputation as one of the most consistent performers in the toughest tournament fields.
The win did not come easily, however. Winter entered the final table with stiff competition remaining and at the start of heads-up play had to battle back against a significant chip lead before ultimately turning the tide and closing out the victory.
Final Table Results
| Place | Name | Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sean Winter | $210,000 |
| 2 | Benjamin Grise | $136,500 |
| 3 | Myles Mullaly | $94,500 |
| 4 | Jeremy Ausmus | $70,000 |
| 5 | Brandon Wilson | $52,500 |
| 6 | Justin Zaki | $38,500 |
| 7 | Aram Zobian | $28,000 |
Emotional Weekend for Grise
While he ultimately fell one spot short of the trophy, Grise delivered one of the most remarkable performances of the series.
Grise finished runner-up in back-to-back events, first placing second in Event #8 before repeating the result in Event #9.
What made the accomplishment even more extraordinary was the emotional weight behind it. After his second-place finish in Event #8, Grise immediately max-late registered Event #9. It was only then, Grise learned that his close friend and fellow poker player Matt Lushin had been murdered in Indiana just days before.
Authorities discovered Lushin, a respected member of the Indiana poker community with more than $500,000 in live tournament cashes, dead inside his home, and the case is currently under investigation.
Despite the devastating news, Grise continued to compete throughout the day and bag the Day 1 chip lead and turned in two of the best results of his career over consecutive days.
Action-Packed Final Table
The first elimination of the final table was Aram Zobian who was crippled after Grise cracked his pocket kings with five-three off suit to start the day.
Next to fall was Justin Zaki, who exited in sixth, and Brandon Wilson followed shortly after, bringing the tournament down to the final four.
After Jeremy Ausmus bowed out in fourth, Grise cracked the pocket aces of Myles Mullaly, after Grise flopped a flush to set up heads-up play with Winter.
At the start of heads-up play, Winter faced a sizable chip disadvantage, but the high-stakes regular methodically worked his way back into contention. Applying constant pressure, winning several small pots, he eventually overtook the lead before finishing the job the comeback against Grise.
That ends our coverage of Event #9, but sure to follow PokerNews for live updates and coverage of the PokerGo Cup, and events all around the globe.
Level 23
: Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Benjamin Grise jammed the button for 1,300,000, and Sean Winter called to put him at risk.
Benjamin Grise: 9♦7♦ 
Sean Winter: A♦5♠
Winter was in front with his ace high, but Grise picked up extra outs with a flush draw after the 2♦4♣K♦ flop. But ht e2♠ on the turn changed nothing, and the 5♥ on the river paired Winter, to give him the pot and eliminate Grise in second place.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
8,750,000
2,125,000
|
2,125,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
||
Level: 23
Blinds: 75,000/150,000
Ante: 150,000
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
In a limped pot, the flop came 7♥2♥10♣ and Winter check-raised a bet of 125,000 from Grise with top pair holding 10♠8♥, to 425,000. Grise made the call with Q♠J♣.
After the 9♠ on the turn, Grise check-called a bet of a hefty bet of 900,000 with open to see the 10♦ on the river to give Winter trips.
Grise checked after his draw bricked out and folded to the Winter jam give him the pot.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
6,625,000
1,500,000
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
2,125,000
1,500,000
|
1,500,000 |
|
|
||
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Sean Winter raised for majority of Benjamin Grise, who made the call for 1,475,000 leaving just 275,000 behind.
Before the flop came out, Grise bet the 275,000 and Winter called to put him at risk.
Benjamin Grise: A♥Q♠
Sean Winter: K♠3♦
Grise was ahead and stayed ahead on the 8♥10♠Q♦8♠J♠ run out to double up.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5,125,000
2,000,000
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
3,625,000
2,000,000
|
2,000,000 |
|
|
||
Level 22
: Blinds 75,000/150,000, 150,000 ante
Sean Winter raised to 250,000 on the button, before Benjamin Grise three-bet all in for his stack of 3,500,000 which Winter called to put himself at risk.
Sean Winter: A♠J♦
Benjamin Grise: A♥10♥
Winter had Grise dominated and was able to hold on the J♣3♣10♦2♥A♣ runout to give Winter the chip lead.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,125,000
4,050,000
|
4,050,000 |
|
|
1,625,000
4,050,000
|
4,050,000 |
|
|
||
Level: 22
Blinds: 75,000/150,000
Ante: 150,000
Level 21
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
5,675,000
1,575,000
|
1,575,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
3,075,000
1,575,000
|
1,575,000 |
Level 21
: Blinds 50,000/100,000, 100,000 ante
Action folded to Myles Mullaly who limped in on the small blind, and big blind Benjamin Grise checked his option.
The flop came Q♦7♦6♦ and Mullaly check-raised the bet of 100,000 from Grise, to 275,000. Grise called.
After the 6♥ on the turn, Mullaly bet out 300,000, before Grise raised to put Mullaly all in for 1,400,000, which he quickly called to put himself at risk.
Myles Mullaly: A♦A♣
Benjamin Grise: K♦4♦
Grise flopped a flush to jump ahead of the slow played aces of Mullaly. Mullaly could not find another diamond or ace after the Q♠ on the river to knock out Mullaly in third.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
7,250,000
1,770,000
|
1,770,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
1,500,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
Busted | |
