3-Bet: Faraz Jaka, Henri Hinds & Niall Campbell Win Live Titles

The live poker scene has been electric lately, with tournaments like the Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open, the 2024 Won Poker Cup II, and the GUKPT Grand Final all drawing huge crowds. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest winners from these recent events in this 3-bet report.

First up, we have poker coach and former WPT Player of the Year, Faraz Jaka (cover image – left), who took down the Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open (RRPO) $10,000 Deep Stack. Jaka navigated through a field of 110 entries to capture the top prize of $313,495 – a significant addition to his already impressive poker resume. He battled fiercely against Phillip Krnyaich in a heads-up match that went down to the wire, with Krnyaich ultimately finishing as the runner-up, earning a career-best $193,325.

Meanwhile, over at the Won Majestic Hotel, the 2024 Won Poker Cup II was heating up. Ireland’s Henri Hinds (cover image – centre) emerged as the Main Event champion, claiming the coveted eagle trophy, a unique W ring, and a career-high $117,000 in prize money. He outlasted Bien Mai in a tense heads-up battle, with Mai securing a respectable second-place prize of $74,000.

And finally, the GUKPT Grand Final concluded with a dramatic finish at the Grosvenor G Casino in Luton. Ireland’s Niall Campbell (cover image – right) was crowned the champion, adding a satisfying victory to his poker story. Just a couple of months ago, Campbell had experienced the bitter taste of defeat at the 2024 IPO Main Event, where a heartbreaking one-outer on the river snatched victory from his grasp. But this time, Campbell was determined to leave nothing to chance. He faced a tough 395-entry field and played with incredible focus and drive, ultimately clinching the £89,000 top prize. This win was not only his first major title but also a sweet form of redemption after his near-miss at the IPO Main Event. Indo-British player Kuljinder Sidhu, a former GUKPT champion, also made a strong run but fell short of a repeat victory, finishing as the runner-up with £66,200.

A Masterclass in Short-Handed Play: Faraz Jaka Takes Down RRPO $10,000 Deep Stack ($313,495)

Faraz Jaka, poker coach extraordinaire and former World Poker Tour (WPT) Player of the Year, has done it again, adding another impressive victory to his already illustrious poker career. This time, he conquered the Seminole Hard Rock Rock ‘N’ Roll Poker Open (RRPO) $10,000 Deep Stack, taking home a hefty $313,495 – his seventh-largest career score.

Boooooom! Took it down baby.

$10k @shrpo Hardrock Deep stack

$313,495 in the 💰 pic.twitter.com/C5GdP6FIds

— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) December 2, 2024

Jaka faced formidable opponents on his way to the title, including a tough heads-up battle against Phillip Krnyaich. Krnyaich, who finished as the runner-up, put up a strong fight and walked away with a career-best $193,325.

Jaka’s victory comes as no surprise to those who have followed his poker career. The founder of Jaka Coaching has consistently crushed it in short-handed formats. Last year, he won the 2023 WSOP $1,500 Shootout, earning his first bracelet, and followed that up with a close runner-up finish in the $25,000 Heads-Up Championship this summer. These accomplishments show his ability to thrive in formats that demand quick thinking and the ability to close out matches.

Throughout the tournament, Jaka kept his Jaka Coaching students and followers updated on his progress via X (formerly Twitter). He shared his excitement as he navigated his way through the tournament, providing insights into his heads-up battle and celebrating his eventual victory.

Heads up update from the $10k:

I have 5m in BB A♣️J♣️ he has about 7m

He limps 200k I raise 600k he calls

Flop 774r I bet 350k he calls

Turn 2s back door flushdraw I check he bets 950k I call

River 4 check check I win he mucks

Was down to 2.4m now at 8.7m w/ chip lead back https://t.co/PCOzFyW8wY

— Faraz Jaka (@FarazJaka) December 2, 2024

Jaka was understandably elated after his win. “Feeling great!” he exclaimed. And who wouldn’t be? This six-figure score propelled his total live earnings to an astounding $8 Million.

Recalling the intense heads-up match, Jaka said, “One of us just kept getting the top pair, and then one kept getting the second pair. And I was trying to find my edge on him, and it just came from double-barreling him off some hands here and there, just kind of squeezing out pots that weren’t supposed to go my way. So it was a long and gruelling match.”

Jaka’s dedication to physical and mental fitness was also evident throughout the tournament. He practised yoga, Pilates, and back stretches between hands and during breaks, highlighting the importance of self-care during those long poker sessions.

Despite his already strong short-handed skills, Jaka revealed that he has been working on his heads-up game with a coach. “I wouldn’t say I’m a very experienced heads-up player,” Jaka admitted. “I used to play heads-up cash like 15 years ago when I hadn’t done much heads-up work. I’ve been wanting to work on my heads-up game, and that was part of the reason why I played the $25K WSOP (an event he came second in) this year, which kind of forced me to start prepping for it.”

Drawing from his wealth of experience, Jaka offered some sage advice for players in Florida’s poker scene: “In Florida, there is a lot of money. So you have a lot of people who will just show up here—they don’t care about studying; they’re just here to have a good time, to compete. So you’ve really got to observe your players. Don’t get stuck in this GTO land. You’ve got to know that stuff, I teach that stuff, but you’ve got to understand how to adjust to your opponents and pay attention to what people are doing. So stay off your phones and pay attention.”

The $10,000 buy-in Deep Stack attracted 110 entries, generating a prize pool of $1.05 Million. The top 14 finishers were awarded a minimum payout of $24,560, with notables like Donovan Dean (14th), Aliaksandr Shylko (13th) each for $24,560, Myles Mullaly (12th), and Grant Wang (11th), each for $27,690 making deep runs.

With Justin Saliba‘s elimination in tenth place, taking home a respectable $27,690, the final table was set.

The final table action was swift, with Shannon Shorr being the first to be eliminated, followed by Vladas Tamasauskas, Brian Luo, Benjamin Grise, Thomas Mühlöcker, and Kamel Mokhammad. Viet Van Vo fought hard but ultimately finished in third place, leading to the heads-up battle.

The battle boiled down to a heads-up duel between Faraz Jaka and Phillip Krnyaich, a clash of poker minds with the title hanging in the balance. Jaka, who had navigated his way to the final table as the chip leader, faced a formidable opponent in Krnyaich.

The two players engaged in a fierce back-and-forth, each determined to outplay the other. They traded blows, raising bets, bluffing, and carefully considering every move. The tension was electric as the stacks fluctuated, neither player willing to give an inch.

Jaka, known for his analytical approach and deep understanding of the game, found himself in a unique situation. “The blind structure got real slow there during heads-up, which I’m thankful for,” he commented after his win. “I just kept getting top pair to second pair and chipping down, and I really needed to grind him down slowly. So I’m thankful for that deep-stacked structure.”

This grind became a fascinating display of poker strategy. Jaka, recognizing the need to adapt, shifted his gears. He began applying pressure, double-barreling and squeezing out pots with well-timed aggression. He was reading his opponent, exploiting weaknesses, and maximizing value.

In the end, Jaka’s experience and skill prevailed. He wore down his opponent, chipping away until he held a commanding lead. With the final hand, Jaka’s cards held up, and he claimed the championship title, leaving Krnyaich with a respectable runner-up finish.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Faraz Jaka – $313,495
2. Phillip Krnyaich – $193,325
3. Viet Vo – $115,995
4. Kamel Mokhammad – $75,765
5. Thomas Muehloecker – $58,520
6. Ben Grise – $48,075
7. Brian Luo – $40,755
8. Vladas Tamasauskas – $35,530
9. Shannon Shorr – $31,350

Henri Hinds Claims the Throne: Irish Poker Pro Conquers Won Poker Cup II Main Event ($117,000)

The Won Majestic Hotel in Vietnam recently hosted the exciting 2024 Won Poker Cup II that ran from November 24 to December 2. But it was Ireland’s Henri Hinds who took centre stage, winning the Main Event and walking away with the prestigious eagle trophy, an exclusive W ring, and a career-best $117,000 payday.

Hinds’s journey in the tournament was marked by several key moments. One crucial hand against Jeorge Lagatuz proved to be a turning point. Lagatuz, in a bold move, four-bet shoved all-in, trying to push Hinds off the hand. But Hinds, sensing weakness, called the bluff with pocket kings. The poker gods were on his side; the board paired his king, giving him a set and a commanding chip lead. This hand propelled Hinds towards the final showdown against Vietnamese poker shark Bien Mai.

“I always try to figure out who’s likely to fold and assess the size of their stack,” Hinds explained after his win. “I think what gives me the edge is that people perceive me as aggressive, and I use that to my advantage.” His ability to read his opponents and adapt his strategy was key to his success.

This Main Event win was especially satisfying for Hinds, who had narrowly missed the trophy in the High Roller event, where he finished second. “I want more trophies,” he declared, his desire for victory clear as he celebrated his win.

From November 30 to December 2, the Main Event attracted 361 entries across seven starting flights. With a $1,220 buy-in and a guaranteed prize pool of $600,000, the stakes were high. The top 48 players earned a payday with a minimum payout of $3,400.

The tournament saw strong performances from players like Santiago Soriano Ramos (11th for $10,000), Gan Chao (12th for $8,880), Nguyen Quang Huy (14th for $7,700), Danny Huynh (16th for $7,000), Valentin Girard (28th for $4,300), Michael Truong (26th for $5,000), and David Erquiaga (47th for $3,400). These players played well before falling short of the final table.

The heads-up battle against Vietnamese pro Bien Mai was a tense affair, testing both players’ endurance and skill. Despite entering with a commanding 72 to 33 chip advantage, Hinds faced a formidable opponent. Bien, refusing to back down, fought back with a vengeance, winning pot after pot to seize the chip lead.

The momentum shifted in a crucial hand where Hinds’s jack-seven of clubs hit a flush on a board of jack-two-eight-ace-seven (with two clubs), beating Bien’s six-eight (for just a pair) and giving Hinds a massive double-up. This propelled Hinds into a dominant position with 102 big blinds, leaving Bien with a mere seven.

The tide turned in a crucial hand when Hinds’s hit a flush on a board of , beating Bien’s (for just a pair) and giving Hinds a huge double-up. This put Hinds in a dominant position with 102 big blinds, while Bien was left with only seven.

On the final hand, Hinds made a gutsy call, reading Bien’s aggressive bluff attempt perfectly. This bold move sealed his victory, making him the tournament champion.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Henri Hinds – $117,000
2. Bien Mai – $74,000
3. Oleg Voshchinin – $55,000
4. Jeorge Lagatuz – $45,000
5. Martin Gonzales – $35,000
6. Gyeonseok Jeon – $27,000
7. Joshua Figuerres – $20,000
8. Fujishiro Kazuki – $15,000
9. Aladin Reskallah – $12,000

Niall Campbell’s GUKPT Grand Final Victory: A Story of Redemption

The Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Grand Final reached its thrilling conclusion, with Ireland’s Niall Campbell claiming the top spot. But this was more than just a win; it was a comeback story. Weeks before, Campbell had suffered a tough loss at the 2024 IPO Main Event, where a cruel hand – a one-outer on the river for Vitalijs Polukejevs – denied him victory. This time, Campbell was playing to win.

A huge congratulations to Niall Campbell who has just won the GUKPT Grand Final Main Event!!

Nial beat the 395 entry field, to win the tournament outright for £89,000!!

Well played Niall. pic.twitter.com/jyFm4wIPxp

— Grosvenor Poker (@GrosvenorPoker) December 1, 2024

He faced a challenging field of 395 contenders, each with their eyes on the prize. But Campbell played with a newfound intensity and a never-give-up attitude. He earned a well-deserved victory and the £89,000 top prize, a satisfying outcome after his recent setback. Indo-British player Kuljinder Sidhu played well, finishing as the runner-up and taking home £66,200.

This impressive win catapulted Campbell’s total live earnings to $149,402, according to the Hendon Mob.

The GUKPT Grand Final Main Event was a big draw, generating a prize pool of £415,620. The pressure was palpable as players competed for the top spot. Only the top 50 finishers would make it into the money, with a minimum payout of £2,370.

Players had been looking forward to the 2024 GUKPT Grand Final all year. Usually held at the famous Grosvenor Victoria Casino in London (The Vic), this year’s event had a change of scenery. With The Vic under renovation, the tournament moved to Luton, a popular spot for poker.

From November 20 to December 1, the action unfolded at the Grosvenor G Casino on Park Street West, the new venue for the GUKPT Grand Final. The new location added to the excitement of this highly anticipated event.

Qing Zheng began the final day in the lead, but 16 determined competitors were hot on his heels. Early on, Carl Spicer, Thomas Clack, and Ben Miller were eliminated, falling victim to strong hands. The tension increased as Sunny Mistri, Rob Douras, and Ali Abdulzahra were knocked out, leading to a dramatic final table bubble. Finally, the bubble burst when Day 1A chip leader Linda Nguyen flopped a set of deuces, eliminating Zipan Huang.

Brandon Harris looked like he was about to win a massive pot after turning a straight against Timothy Chung. But the river card dramatically changed the situation, giving Chung a flush and sending Harris out in ninth place. Soon after, Oliver Kaplan‘s pocket kings met their match in Sidhu’s ace-king, leaving seven players remaining.

Chung continued his surge, eliminating Tarique Imam in a preflop clash, keeping pace with chip leaders Sidhu and Phillip Corion. Nguyen and Campbell were close behind, while Qing Zheng, the initial frontrunner, saw his stack dwindle. His queen-nine couldn’t outpace Sidhu’s ace-king, ending his run in sixth place.

Sidhu was on a roll. With ace-king again, he took out Linda Nguyen, whose ace deuce couldn’t compete. The dream of crowning the first female GUKPT Main Event champion was dashed, at least for this year.

Sidhu’s dominance continued as he knocked out Timothy Chung in a blind-on-blind encounter. But Campbell refused to back down, evening the playing field by eliminating Phillip Corion. The stage was set for a final heads-up battle.

Kuljinder Sidhu, a previous GUKPT champion, brought his experience to the final duel. He and Campbell both started with 50 big blinds, but the match ended quickly. Sidhu won the first pot, but Campbell responded with a three-bet to take control. Then, luck played its part. On the third hand, Sidhu’s ace-ten suited lost to Campbell’s pocket kings, leaving Sidhu on the ropes.

Just a few hands later, Campbell found pocket kings again. With only 12 big blinds left, Sidhu moved all in with . Campbell quickly called. The flop gave Sidhu some hope with a straight draw, and the turn gave him a pair, but the river card didn’t help him, ending the tournament.

Campbell had achieved victory. He had conquered the 2024 GUKPT Grand Final Main Event, adding his name to the list of poker champions.

If you’d like to see the action for yourself, watch the replay of the final table on the Grosvenor Poker YouTube channel.

Final Table Results (GBP)

1. Niall Campbell – £89,000
2. Kuljinder Sidhu – £66,200
3. Phillip Corion – £45,200
4. Timothy Chung – £29,520
5. Linda Nguyen – £19,950
6. Qing Zheng – £14,130
7. Tarique Imam – £11,220
8. Oliver Caplan – £9,760
9. Brandon Harris – £8,300

Content and Images Courtesy: PokerNews & So Much Poker