The Arizona poker pro made it to the finale before being eliminated
Steven Jones, best known for finishing runner-up in the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event, nearly added another huge payday to his résumé, but this time on a reality show rather than the felt. The Arizona poker pro made a deep run on Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge, advancing all the way to the finale for a shot at $4,560,000. After weeks of high-pressure tests, strategic decisions, and tense alliances, he reached the final stages before falling just short.
The series began with 456 contestants competing in games inspired by the hit drama Squid Game. Unlike poker tournaments, where a chunk of the field earns payouts, the reality competition offered only one prize, amplifying the pressure with each elimination. Jones, known as Player 183, relied heavily on his social reads and bluffing instincts to navigate the early rounds, building both strategic relationships and some notable rivalries.
One of the most intense dynamics developed between Jones and fellow finalist Dajah Graham, who frequently questioned whether someone with his poker earnings truly needed the prize. Despite that tension, Jones continued advancing and entered the finale confident but realistic. He reminded viewers that without the win, every eliminated contestant effectively shared the same fate.
The first challenge of the final episode involved a coin-bluffing game where contestants risked immediate elimination. Jones announced truthfully which hand contained the black coin, but Trinity Parriman still chose the losing option. Parriman later surrendered intentionally out of loyalty to other players, reducing the field to four.
The final test was a high-stakes version of Red Light Green Light. Vanessa Clements fell first, leaving Jones among the last three. With a seven-figure opportunity in sight, he made a small movement at the wrong moment, triggering his elimination in third place. The exit meant he walked away with no payout despite nearly reaching the finish line.
Graham celebrated his departure, but she too fell short, losing to Perla Figuereo in the final showdown. Figuereo claimed the entire $4,560,000 prize, while the others — including Jones — left empty-handed. Even without the win, Jones still holds nearly $7.3 million in lifetime tournament earnings, proving he’s no stranger to deep runs, whether on TV or at the poker table.
