button in Safari
Joe-Boy Rahme MonsterStaK Main Event
Day 2 Completed
2025 SunBet GrandWest
Joe-Boy Rahme MonsterStaK Main Event
Day: 2
Event Info
2025 SunBet GrandWest
Final Results
Event Info
Level Info
Players Info - Day 2
Buy-in
15,000 ZAR
Prize Pool
4,334,400 ZAR
Total Entries
344
Level
33
Blinds
150,000 / 300,000
Ante
300,000
Entries
211
Players Left
43
Players Left 1 / 344
Filter
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
The penultimate starting day for the Joe-Boy Rahme MonsterStaK Main Event in memory of the South African live poker pioneer saw a huge influx of new entries to surpass the ZAR 4 million guarantee in the crown jewel of the 2025 SunBet Poker Tour stop at the GrandWest Casino by Sun International in Cape Town. With a total of 344 entries, the ZAR 15,000 ($850) buy-in generated a prize pool ofZAR 4,334,400 prize pool ($251,395) and all of that will be distributed on the final day.
After more than ten hours of game play, the money bubble burst in frantic fashion and the remaining 43 players bagged up their chips. The largest stack once again belonged to a very familiar face of the close-knit poker community in South Africa as the up-and-coming Marko Nortje topped the leaderboard with 2,450,000. Michael Cupido (2,145,000) and Rayhaan Adam (1,935,000) complete the overnight podium.
Two international players reached the top ten in chips including Sascha Manns (1,930,000) and Jon Persent (1,625,000) with the latter residing in the country for several years already. Also among the big stacks are the likes of Edgar Antezana (1,490,000), Jaco Mouton (1,425,000) and Jedd Kossew (1,100,000).
Top 10 Chip Counts After Day 2
| Rank | Player | Country | Chip Count | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marko Nortje | South Africa | 2,450,000 | 163 |
| 2 | Michael Cupido | South Africa | 2,145,000 | 143 |
| 3 | Rayhaan Adam | South Africa | 1,935,000 | 129 |
| 4 | Franco Da Matta | South Africa | 1,930,000 | 129 |
| 5 | Sascha Manns | Germany | 1,930,000 | 129 |
| 6 | Jon Persent | Norway | 1,625,000 | 108 |
| 7 | Edgar Antezana | South Africa | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 8 | Jaco Mouton | South Africa | 1,425,000 | 95 |
| 9 | Muaaz Gani | South Africa | 1,160,000 | 77 |
| 10 | Jedd Kossew | South Africa | 1,100,000 | 73 |
The UK's Alexander Rizvi (910,000), Dean Hutchison (715,000) and James Rann (370,000) will also aim to take the trophy away from the home favourites. They are joined by notables such as Nico Wiechers (755,000), Gavin Sardini (695,000), Caleb October (615,000), Imran Bhojani (580,000), Ariel Mazabow (440,000), Jehan Richards (385,000) and Sugen Singh (340,000).
There will be 46:35 minutes left in level 20 at blinds of 10,000-15,000 with a big blind ante of 15,000 and the average is a staggering 51 big blinds. That may go up even further with many short stacks going through to potentially wreak havoc in the early stages of the final day, which is set to recommence at 11 a.m. local time.
It was an early rush hour with another four levels of late registration and an incredible 91 entries were added to the total tally during that time. Among those to jump in with a fresh stack were Adam, Manns and Antezana who all parlayed the late buy-in into a cash prize thanks to the deep tournament structure.
The entries and re-entries kept on coming with many of the High Roller regulars jumping into the action. Last year's runner-up Diane Walker started as one of the shortest stacks and earned an early triple-up, however, she wasn't able to repeat her success story from 2024 and bowed out during the opening stages. Cliton Taliwanth, Benjamin "Guppie" Lingenfelder, Wesley Blom, Tanith Rothman, and Harold Brooks followed her to the rail sooner than they had hoped.
After six levels of play, the field was down to 86 hopefuls and half of them were destined to leave without cash prize. Among them was also the chip leader to start the day, Michele Lodi-Fe, along with Jonathan Hoal, Wesley Wessels, Hennie Appel, and Chris Luyt. Darren Kramer flopped top pair and top kicker against Persent but ran it smack dab into a straight.
The money bubble was imminent in the final break of the night and it then took only 13 minutes to lose five players in a hurry. Stephen Courtney saw his hopes of another SunBet Poker Tour victory crushed when Adam cracked his pocket kings with a rivered flush. He was then one of three players hitting the rail in the blink of an eye with Karin Hasseriis and Jamie McCarthy also losing their chips to let the bubble burst without any hand-for-hand play.
Payouts for the Final Day
| Place | Winner | Prize (in ZAR) | Prize (in USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 908,900 | $52,716 | |
| 2 | 600,000 | $34,800 | |
| 3 | 400,000 | $23,200 | |
| 4 | 260,000 | $15,080 | |
| 5 | 208,000 | $12,064 | |
| 6 | 170,000 | $9,860 | |
| 7 | 135,000 | $7,830 | |
| 8 | 110,000 | $6,380 | |
| 9 | 92,000 | $5,336 | |
| 10-12 | 78,000 | $4,524 | |
| 13-15 | 64,000 | $3,712 | |
| 16-18 | 53,000 | $3,074 | |
| 19-21 | 45,000 | $2,610 | |
| 22-24 | 40,000 | $2,320 | |
| 25-27 | 36,000 | $2,088 | |
| 28-36 | 32,500 | $1,885 | |
| 37-43 | 30,000 | $1,740 |
All remaining survivors bagged up their chips and will return to their seats at 11 a.m. local time when a winner is set to be crowned here in Cape Town. The cards-up coverage and commentary via live stream will be available once more on the SunBet Poker Tour YouTube channel. As usual, the PokerNews live reporting team will be on the floor to try and catch as many of the key hands as possible towards the thrilling conclusion.
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
| Table | Seat | Player | Country | Chip Couznt | Big Blinds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Muaaz Gani | South Africa | 160,000 | 11 |
| 1 | 2 | Edgar Antezana | South Africa | 1,490,000 | 99 |
| 1 | 3 | Pierre Kitching | France | 705,000 | 47 |
| 1 | 4 | Gavin Sardini | South Africa | 695,000 | 46 |
| 1 | 5 | Alexander Rizvi | United Kingdom | 910,000 | 61 |
| 1 | 6 | Gareth Duncan | South Africa | 310,000 | 21 |
| 1 | 7 | Ariel Mazabow | South Africa | 440,000 | 29 |
| 1 | 8 | Caleb October | South Africa | 615,000 | 41 |
| 1 | 9 | Dirk Steenkamp | South Africa | 860,000 | 57 |
| 10 | 1 | Dean Hutchison | Scotland | 715,000 | 48 |
| 10 | 2 | Greg Mokgoatlheng | South Africa | 270,000 | 18 |
| 10 | 3 | Simon Solomon | South Africa | 230,000 | 15 |
| 10 | 4 | Rayhaan Adam | South Africa | 1,935,000 | 129 |
| 10 | 5 | Marko Nortje | South Africa | 2,450,000 | 163 |
| 10 | 6 | Gustav Louw | South Africa | 875,000 | 58 |
| 10 | 7 | Jedd Kossew | South Africa | 1,100,000 | 73 |
| 10 | 8 | Franco Da Matta | South Africa | 1,930,000 | 129 |
| 10 | 9 | Reagan Benjamin | South Africa | 880,000 | 59 |
| 11 | 1 | Jonathan Bland | South Africa | 615,000 | 41 |
| 11 | 2 | Sascha Manns | Germany | 1,930,000 | 129 |
| 11 | 3 | Karol Korzeniowski | Poland | 150,000 | 10 |
| 11 | 4 | Jehan Richards | South Africa | 385,000 | 26 |
| 11 | 5 | Jaco Mouton | South Africa | 1,425,000 | 95 |
| 11 | 6 | Gabriel Demuru | France | 610,000 | 41 |
| 11 | 7 | Braam van Huyssteen | South Africa | 675,000 | 45 |
| 11 | 8 | Tim Akinnusi | South Africa | 485,000 | 32 |
| 11 | 9 | Michael Cupido | South Africa | 2,145,000 | 143 |
| 16 | 1 | Imran Bhojani | South Africa | 580,000 | 39 |
| 16 | 2 | Jonathan Hyman | South Africa | 695,000 | 46 |
| 16 | 3 | Damon Fine | South Africa | 420,000 | 28 |
| 16 | 4 | James Rann | United Kingdom | 370,000 | 25 |
| 16 | 5 | Andrew Holland (SA) | South Africa | 505,000 | 34 |
| 16 | 6 | Naven Naicker | South Africa | 740,000 | 49 |
| 16 | 7 | Alexandre Blanc | South Africa | 630,000 | 42 |
| 16 | 8 | Jon Persent | Norway | 1,625,000 | 108 |
| 17 | 1 | Nico Wiechers | South Africa | 755,000 | 50 |
| 17 | 2 | Alvin Pillay | South Africa | 80,000 | 5 |
| 17 | 3 | Jayson Zulch | South Africa | 1,050,000 | 70 |
| 17 | 4 | Justin Cohen | South Africa | 665,000 | 44 |
| 17 | 5 | Djordje Stojic | Serbia | 410,000 | 27 |
| 17 | 6 | Kiran Moodley | South Africa | 235,000 | 16 |
| 17 | 7 | Sugen Singh | South Africa | 340,000 | 23 |
| 17 | 8 | Robin Kayalsum | South Africa | 550,000 | 37 |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
2,450,000
225,000
|
225,000 |
|
||
|
2,145,000
220,000
|
220,000 |
|
1,935,000
15,000
|
15,000 |
|
1,930,000
80,000
|
80,000 |
|
1,930,000 | |
|
1,625,000
285,000
|
285,000 |
|
1,490,000
290,000
|
290,000 |
|
1,425,000
70,000
|
70,000 |
|
1,100,000
225,000
|
225,000 |
|
1,050,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
|
910,000
5,000
|
5,000 |
|
||
|
880,000
270,000
|
270,000 |
|
875,000
325,000
|
325,000 |
|
860,000
110,000
|
110,000 |
|
755,000 | |
|
||
|
740,000
135,000
|
135,000 |
|
715,000
375,000
|
375,000 |
|
705,000
78,000
|
78,000 |
|
695,000
415,000
|
415,000 |
|
695,000
205,000
|
205,000 |
|
675,000 | |
|
665,000
22,000
|
22,000 |
|
630,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
|
615,000
45,000
|
45,000 |
|
615,000
25,000
|
25,000 |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
In a very frantic five minutes, the field lost several players and brought the field down not only to the last five tables. They didn't even have time to break and balance for the bubble, as it all happened so quickly. Ultimately, the conclusion will be provided once the live stream action has caught up. Stay tuned for more!
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
The screens had just been updated to 45 players left and the tournament staff verified the number of remaining players because there had been another two casualties to potentially already had burst the bubble.
On the outer tables, Stephen Courtney was all-in with A♠3♦ against the 9♦9♥ of Gabriel Demuru in the small blind. The 9♠5♠5♦ flop had Courtney in need of running aces. The 8♦ turn and J♥ river changed nothing to see Courtney depart right on the bubble.
There was another hand going on, however, and that indeed let the bubble burst. Braam Van Huyssteen and Nico Wiechers limped from the hijack and cutoff respectively, then called the raise by Jamie McCarthy in the small blind. On the 10♦7♠6♦ flop, McCarthy continued for 40,000 and Van Huyssteen folded. Wiechers moved all-in and McCarthy called all-in.
Jamie McCarthy: A♠10♥ 
Nico Wiechers: 7♦7♣
The 2♦ turn left McCarthy drawing dead as he had no diamond in his hand, and the K♠ river was insignificant by then.
With the sudden eliminations in very short time, the field went from 46 hopefuls to 43 contenders left and the bubble burst without hand-for-hand play. All remaining survivors then bagged up their chips.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
755,000
100,000
|
100,000 |
|
|
||
|
|
675,000
32,000
|
32,000 |
|
610,000
60,000
|
60,000 |
|
Busted | |
|
Busted | |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
Alexandre Blanc opened to 30,000 on the live stream table and Karin Hasseriis three-bet jammed for 270,000. Once it folded back to Blanc, he snap-called.
Karin Hasseriis: A♠Q♦
Alexandre Blanc: K♠K♣
The K♦7♦5♠ flop left Hasseriis on the ropes and the 4♠ turn sealed her exit prior to the now meaningless 7♥ on the river to bring the field one step closer to the money bubble.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
675,000
405,000
|
405,000 |
|
Busted |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
With the money bubble rapidly coming closer all of a sudden within the first ten minutes after the break, Sascha Manns four-bet jammed into Daniel Habib who called all-in.
Daniel Habib: A♠Q♣
Sascha Manns: J♦10♦
The 10♥7♠6♦8♠10♣ board improved Manns on the flop and river while Habib left the tournament area in disgust.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,930,000
530,000
|
530,000 |
|
Busted |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
With the turn showing Q♠7♥4♠8♠, Rayhaan Adam check-jammed for 780,000 into a bet of 125,000 by Courtney. The latter asked for a count and then called with the marginally covering stack.
Rayhaan Adam: A♠8♦
Stephen Courtney: K♠K♥
Adam needed an ace, eight or spade and got there with the 9♠ river to score a huge double.
He then opened to 45,000 and Ryan Brauer jammed for the last 95,000 with the words "let's gamble." Adam called.
Ryan Brauer: A♠Q♦
Rayhaan Adam: A♥9♣
The 9♦5♠3♦A♦6♥ board knocked out Brauer short of the money.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
|
1,950,000
1,600,000
|
1,600,000 |
|
|
70,000
690,000
|
690,000 |
|
Busted |
Level 20
: Blinds 10,000/15,000, 15,000 ante
James Rann opened to 30,000 with the A♦K♠ and Jehan Richards called from the big blind with the K♦Q♥. The J♥10♥2♦ flop saw Richards with the check and Rann continued for 20,000. Richards check-jammed for 275,000 and Rann let go of the ace-king high.
| Player | Chips | Progress |
|---|---|---|
|
380,000
40,000
|
40,000 |
|
270,000
201,000
|
201,000 |
