Sean Winter Makes Big Comeback to Win PokerGo Cup Event #9 For $210,000
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 Ben Grise
While he ultimately fell one spot short of the trophy, Ben 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.