Grise Goes from Runner-Up in Event #8 to Final Table Chip Leader in Event #9
Event #9: $10,000 No-Limit Hold’em at the 2026 PokerGO Cup inside the PokerGO Studio at ARIA Resort & Casino drew a field of 70 entries, with players battling deep into the night until just seven remained in contention for the title. The surviving players have locked up at least $28,000, but all eyes are on the $210,000 first-place prize that awaits the eventual champion.
Benjamin Grise ended the night as the chip leader, putting himself in prime position to capture a PokerGO Cup trophy. The American will also have a shot at quick redemption after finishing runner-up in Event #8 earlier in the day and now returns to the PokerGO Studio with the biggest stack as he looks to go one spot better.
Also advancing to the final day are a stacked group of high-stakes regulars including Aram Zobian, Brandon Wilson, Sean Winter, Jeremy Ausmus, Justin Zaki, and Myles Mullaly who will battle it out when play resumes.
Top 10 Chip Counts
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Benjamin Grise | United States | 2,040,000 | 41 |
| 2 | Sean Winter | United States | 1,530,000 | 31 |
| 3 | Aram Zobian | United States | 1,180,000 | 24 |
| 4 | Myles Mullaly | United States | 1,130,000 | 23 |
| 5 | Jeremy Ausmus | United States | 1,115,000 | 22 |
| 6 | Brandon Wilson | United States | 980,000 | 20 |
| 7 | Justin Zaki | United States | 775,000 | 16 |
Bubble Drama Extends the Night
The money bubble proved to be one of the most dramatic stretches of the tournament as short stacks repeatedly found ways to stay alive. Multiple players doubled through to keep the bubble intact and delay the inevitable elimination.
One of the wildest hands came when Joao Simao found himself all-in and dominated by pocket aces. Simao needed a miracle — and he got one — spiking a two-outer to crack the rockets and double his stack while the rest of the room groaned as the bubble continued.
Eventually, the bubble burst in dramatic fashion when 2015 World Series of Poker Main Event champion Joe McKeehen was eliminated just shy of the money.
McKeehen got his chips in with ace-king suited in a classic race against pocket queens, but the board ran out clean for the queens to send the former world champion to the rail as the bubble boy.
Despite the stacked field, several big names were unable to reach the payouts. Among those falling before the money were Jesse Lonis, Jeremy Becker who slow rolled John Riordan early in the day, Chino Rheem, and Shannon Shorr.
The remaining players will return to the PokerGO Studio Saturday at 11:45 a.m. local time to play down to a champion. As with other PokerGO Cup events, the final table will be streamed on PokerGO at 1 p.m. local time on delay.
Play will resume in level 19 at the 30,000/60,000(60,000) blind levels.
Stay tuned to PokerNews for continued live updates, chip counts, and a full recap once a champion is crowned.