Ari Engel and John Cernuto each have 597 live cashes, according to The Hendon Mob
Ari Engel has officially tied the all-time record for most live poker cashes, matching the late “Miami” John Cernuto with 597 entries on The Hendon Mob database. Engel hit the milestone during the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) after making the money in a $1,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, a format where he’s earned respect as a skilled mixed-game competitor.
The record, built over nearly two decades, reflects Engel’s nonstop grind on the tournament circuit. His first recorded cash came in 2006 when he finished 40th at the WPT Foxwoods Poker Classic. Since then, he’s collected 19 WSOP Circuit rings—tied for the most ever—and four WSOP bracelets. His biggest payday remains a $1.12 million win at the 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event.
In response to reaching the top of the cashes leaderboard, Engel shared his thoughts on tying Cernuto, someone he considered both a peer and a role model. Engel recalled seeing Cernuto’s name regularly ahead of him in the standings and spoke fondly of the conversations they shared about the possibility of this moment. Cernuto had even expressed hopes of witnessing Engel eventually surpass him, a moment that now carries emotional weight since Cernuto passed away earlier this year.
Despite the significance of the achievement, Engel doesn’t view it as the pinnacle of his poker career. For him, the real pride comes from longevity—staying competitive in a tough and evolving game for 20 years. “Most of the time, you’re losing tournaments,” he noted. “So you’ve got to look for any silver lining you can.”
Without a permanent home, Engel continues to travel the world chasing poker events. If he keeps up his current pace, there’s little doubt he’ll soon stand alone at the top of the all-time cashes list.
