The last half dozen players are confirmed in the Super High Roller Bowl VIII and the ‘Year of Isaac’ is just one day away from continuing in spectacular style. Isaac Haxton bagged the chip lead and a huge one at that, with the American over two million chips clear of each of his opponents. With the recent Poker Masters champion Stephen Chidwick, Triton Poker Series record-breaker Jason Koon and All-Time Money List leader Bryn Kenney all still in the mix, it is sure to be a finale full of fireworks.

Kid Poker Crashes Out

With just four players cashing in this $300,000-entry Super High Roller Bowl, all eyes were on Daniel Negreanu before the action got underway as Kid Poker bid to win back-to-back titles. After triumphing for $3 million in 2022, however, the Canadian poker legend was unable to replicate that success, bowing out in eighth place.

All-in with pre-flop, Negreanu was desperately unlucky to lose a stack worth almost as much as the amount Lichtenberger would make the final with. Isaac Haxton had shoved with from the small blind, and Negreanu called it off in the big blind, but a flop of set him behind as Haxton paired his four. Negreanu had the nut flush draw and any queen from the flop, but even though the turn added six more outs, the on the river ended his event outside the money.

Nick Petrangelo ended Day 1 with the chip lead but fell in seventh place, unable to make the final day. He was all-in with the best of it too, shoving for 245,000 pre-flop with . The newly-jacketed Poker Masters champion Stephen Chidwick called with and got lucky as the board of condemned Petrangelo to an early exit and strengthened the British player’s chances at the last.

Haxton Holds Huge Lead

With just six players remaining, Isaac Haxton’s stack of just over 3 million chips is dominant to the point where it would be a surprise if ‘Action’ wasn’t to win. At a final table featuring five Americans and one British player, it is Chris Brewer (845,000) who is closes to the leader, but he has less than a third of Haxton’s stack.

Jason Koon bagged up 700,000 chips and with a superb track record in Super High Roller events around the world, is unlikely to feel any pressure that applies ICM wise. Koon would be our pick to put the most pressure on other players who are lower ranked, but there is a poker end boss in every seat. Chidwick’s stack of 635,000 may look small, but he is a difficult player to knock out of any tournament at any stage, and we wouldn’t put anyone off betting that the most in-form player at the felt does it again.

The two shortest stacks will be hoping they can improve on their placement to grab the min-cash of $600,000 that is on offer for anyone making it to fourth place from the 20 entries this tournament obtained. Bryn Kenney (445,000) needs no bigger inspiration for a run up the leaderboard than the fact that his great rival at the top of the All-Time Money List, Justin Bonomo, lost his seat on Day 2 of the event. Andrew ‘Chewy’ Lichtenberger will be a threat if he can double-up from the shortest stack of 370,000 chips.

Who’ll Win This Year’s Super High Roller Bowl?

With an overwhelming lead, it’s hard to see past Isaac Haxton for the title. He has just over half the chips in play with six players remaining and is a massive favorite. That said, the most recent big hand of the night may prove pivotal for another player who has experience of winning millions already this year, Jason Koon.

Getting a double through Bryn Kenney at the last, Koon has 700,000 chips and will be a dangerous opponent. In a series that has seen the exit of players such as Paul Jager, Kristen Foxen and Cary Katz too on the penultimate day of action, Koon has stayed in contention, and alongside Chidwick will turn up with his A Game no matter what.

With an exciting week of action to come in the PokerGO Tour Mixed Game Series, to which players such as David Funkhouser, David ‘ODB’ Baker and Jeremy Ausmus are all selling action on PokerStake, the next few weeks will see more stars receive big money and lift trophies at the PokerGO Studio at ARIA in Las Vegas, Nevada.