Jones will appear in the second season of Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge
Steven Jones, who finished runner-up in the 2023 World Series of Poker Main Event, is about to face a much different kind of challenge this November. The Arizona-based poker pro will appear in the second season of Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge, joining 455 other contestants in a competition for a $4.56 million prize. The show follows a similar format to the hit Korean drama, testing players’ endurance, strategy, and emotional strength through intense elimination rounds.
Jones became a household name in poker after his deep run in the 2023 WSOP Main Event, where he fell just short of the title against Daniel Weinman. Despite missing out on the championship bracelet, Jones still walked away with $6.5 million — the largest score of his career. Now, he’s stepping into a different arena, where bluffing and reading opponents might come in handy once again, though this time without cards or chips involved.
The original Squid Game: The Challenge debuted in 2023 and quickly became one of Netflix’s biggest reality hits, attracting over 200 million viewers in its first few weeks. Its blend of psychological tension and social dynamics makes it a perfect stage for someone with Jones’ competitive instincts and calm under pressure. His experience in handling high-stakes moments could give him an edge when alliances shift and tension builds.
Jones joins a growing list of poker players who have crossed into reality television. Others, like Jean-Robert Bellande and Garrett Adelstein, made their mark on Survivor, while Alex Jacob became a fan favorite on Jeopardy! With Jones now entering the Squid Game arena, poker’s strategic mindset is once again being tested outside the felt — and this time, there’s no river card to save him.
