Utah native Kent Stephens proves himself with PokerGO Cup Showcase win
A new face made a strong first impression at the 2026 PokerGO Cup inside PokerGO Studio. Kent Stephens, a player from Utah with limited prior results, captured Event #1, the $3,000 PokerGO Cup Showcase, for $130,000. The score marked his first major title and more than ten times his previous live tournament earnings.
The opening event drew 215 entries across two starting flights, building a $645,000 prize pool. Thirty-one players returned for Day 2 already in the money, each guaranteed at least $6,100. The pace of eliminations picked up quickly once play resumed, trimming the field down to a final table packed with experienced names.
Among those making deep runs were two-time bracelet winner Jim Collopy, Vegas regular Daniyal Gheba, and studio newcomer Sandeep Koralla. Notable pros such as Jonathan Little, Chino Rheem, David “ODB” Baker, and Manig Loeser were eliminated before the final stages. Satellite qualifier Adam Bonilla nearly reached the last table but exited in tenth place.
The final table moved fast. Aaron Messmer fell in seventh, followed by Collopy and Natalie Ferguson. Koralla and Gheba were also sent to the rail, setting up a heads-up match between Stephens and Myles Mullaly. Mullaly began with a sizable chip advantage, but Stephens stayed patient and chipped away.
The duel turned into a back-and-forth battle before Stephens pulled ahead. The tournament ended when his pocket threes held against Mullaly’s nine-eight. Stephens later said he entered the event hoping to compete against pros he had watched for years. By the end of the night, he had done more than compete — he had won.
