After a record-breaking event in 2022, the PokerNews Cup is returning to Golden Nugget Las Vegas this summer with anticipation of drawing another massive field for another memorable event.
The 2022 PokerNews Cup drew 1,245 entries to smash the $1 million guarantee and making it the largest poker tournament prize pool in Golden Nugget Las Vegas history. This year’s $1,100 buy-in PokerNews Cup will be played in a Mystery Bounty format with the same $1 million guarantee and bounties up to $100,000 up for grabs beginning on Day 2.
The 2023 PokerNews Cup will get underway on June 29 and will feature three starting flights before reaching a winner on July 3. It is again taking place at Golden Nugget Las Vegas, one of the most iconic Las Vegas poker destinations, and will once again feature live-streamed final table coverage and live reporting from the PokerNews team throughout.
What’s more, the PokerNews Cup is taking place as part of the Golden Nugget’s 15th annual Grand Poker Series running May 30-July 3 with guarantees exceeding $3 million and plenty of Pot-Limit Omaha, Big O, Mixed Triple Draw Lowball, Limit 2-7 Lowball, H.O.R.S.E. and Triple Stud events to choose from.
Read More About The Grand Poker Series!
2023 PokerNews Cup Schedule
| Date | Time (PT) | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday, June 29 | 11 a.m. | PokerNews Cup $1M GTD Mystery Bounty Day 1a | $1,100 |
| Friday, June 30 | 11 a.m. | PokerNews Cup $1M GTD Mystery Bounty Day 1b | $1,100 |
| Saturday, July 1 | 11 a.m. | PokerNews Cup $1M GTD Mystery Bounty Day 1c | $1,100 |
| Sunday, July 2 | Noon | PokerNews Cup $1M GTD Mystery Bounty Day 2 | – |
| Monday, July 3 | Noon | PokerNews Cup $1M GTD Mystery Bounty Final Table | – |
Gelman Won Record-Breaking 2022 PokerNews Cup
Last year’s PokerNews Cup in downtown Las Vegas was truly an event to remember as 1,245 entries packed into the Golden Nugget in search of the six-figure top prize. While he was one of the shortest stacks to start the final day, New York’s Gary Gelman managed to run it up to win $202,725 after defeating heads-up opponent Daniel Hinh.
“This is definitely my biggest cash and this has been a long time coming,” he told PokerNews after the victory.
Other players who final tabled the record-breaking 2022 PokerNews Cup include Forrest Kollar (3rd – $92,095), Eoin Starr (4th – $68,185) and Patrick Caulfield (5th – $51,555).
2022 PokerNews Cup Final Table Results
| PLACE | PLAYER | COUNTRY | PRIZE (IN USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gary Gelman | United States | $202,725 |
| 2 | Daniel Hinh | Australia | $142,175 |
| 3 | Forrest Kollar | United States | $92,095 |
| 4 | Eoin Starr | Ireland | $68,185 |
| 5 | Patrick Caulfield | United States | $51,555 |
| 6 | Davic Von Schnehen | United Kingdom | $41,650 |
| 7 | Levi Klump | United States | $34,380 |
| 8 | Scott Stewart | United States | $27,120 |
| 9 | Steven Sarmiento | United States | $20,275 |
Some PokerNews Cup History
The first-ever PokerNews Cup took place in Australia in 2007 and saw 428 entrants to generate a prize pool of $1.1 million. Australia native Dory Zayner became the first PokerNews Cup champion and took home $181,265 after defeating heads-up opponent Kenny Ng.
After two events in both 2008 and 2009, there was a break in the PokerNews Cup until it returned in 2015. That year, Daniel Can took down the event at King’s Casino Rozvadov for $17,898.
Other previous champions of the PokerNews Cup include Timur Caglan (2016 King’s Casino Rozvadov – $67,541), Ryan Van Sanford (2016 Borgata – $68,676) and Panagiotis Panagiotidis (2019 – $20,708).
A full list of PokerNews Cup Champions is available in the table below.
PokerNews Cup Champions
| YEAR | EVENT | ENTRIES | PRIZE POOL (IN USD) | WINNER | PRIZE (IN USD) | |
| 2007 | A$2,800 PokerNews Cup Australia | 428 | $1,066,410 | Dory Zayner | $266,959 | |
| 2008 | A$2,000 PokerNews Cup Australia | 410 | $563,079 | Nali Kaselias | $171,670 | |
| 2008 | $3,353 PokerNews Cup South African Poker Open | 175 | $502,233 | Darren Kramer | $140,575 | |
| 2009 | A$2,000 PokerNews Cup Australia | 381 | $661,045 | Con Tsapkounis | $140,537 | |
| 2009 | €1,500 PokerNews Cup Alpine (Austria) | 129 | $233,585 | Marc Naalden | $63,094 | |
| 2015 | €250 PokerNews Cup King’s Casino Rozvadov | 689 | $213,004 | Daniel Can | $17,898 | |
| 2016 | €270 PokerNews Cup King’s Casino Rozvadov | 1,082 | $364,833 | Timur Caglan | $67,541 | |
| 2016 | $2,000 PokerNews Cup Borgata | 120 | $222,324 | Ryan Van Sanford | $68,676 | |
| 2017 | €225 PokerNews Cup King’s Casino Rozvadov | 617 | $234,684 | Holger Bansner | $28,277 | |
| 2019 | €550 PokerNews Cup Kulata Spring | 141 | $102,136 | Panagiotis Panagiotidis | $20,708 | |
| 2022 | $1,100 PokerNews Cup Golden Nugget | 1,245 | $1,207,650 | Gary Gelman | $202,725 |