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At Jeju's Shinhwa World Resort in 2026, Bryn Kenney rewrote the poker record books. The 39-year-old American claimed a $1,954,000 first-place prize at the $100,000 buy-in King Poker Cup, pushing his career earnings past $92 million and cementing his place as the sport's all-time money leader.
A Record-Breaking Victory
The 2026 King Poker Cup drew 71 entrants and generated a $6,674,000 prize pool. Kenney outlasted a field of former WSOP champions and high-roller veterans to capture the largest payout. Eleven players reached the money, with Kenney's win headlining the high-stakes circuit for the year.
The King Poker Cup: A High-Stakes Showcase
- •$1,954,000
- •of $6,674,000
Held in South Korea, the 2026 King Poker Cup required a $100,000 buy-in — one of the steepest entry fees on the global calendar. The resulting $6.7 million prize pool confirmed the event's elite standing. The final table featured Kenney alongside Jesse Lonis, Tom Dwan, Elton Tsang, Xuanyi Wang, and David Miscikowski.
Kenney's Path to the Top
Kenney's route to the title showcased sustained high-stakes execution. After eliminating David Miscikowski and Tom Dwan in earlier rounds, he reached the heads-up against Jesse Lonis. His jack-ten suited outplayed Lonis's king-deuce in the decisive hand, securing the championship and $1,954,000.
| Place | Player | Payout | POY Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bryn Kenney | $1,954,000 | 840 |
| 2 | Jesse Lonis | $1,300,000 | 700 |
| 3 | Elton Tsang | $880,000 | 560 |
| 4 | Xuanyi Wang | $630,000 | 420 |
| 6 | Tom Dwan | $350,000 | 280 |
| 7 | David Miscikowski | $280,000 | 210 |
Implications for the Poker World
Kenney's victory added 840 Card Player Player-of-the-Year (POY) points to his tally, bringing his 2026 season total to 5,225 and placing him eighth in the year-long race. Jesse Lonis's 700 points moved him to third. The result underscores the mounting importance of high-roller events as stages for record-setting performances, drawing global talent and prize pools that dwarf traditional tournament structures.
Looking Ahead
Following the King Poker Cup triumph, Kenney's attention turns to the World Poker Tour (WPT) Bay 101 Shooting Star Championship and the World Series of Poker high-roller events. His record career earnings and 2026 form position him as a top contender in any high-stakes field, and the poker world will be watching closely.
Summary
Bryn Kenney's $1,954,000 win at the 2026 King Poker Cup set a new all-time career earnings record at over $92 million. The tournament — 71 entrants, $100K buy-in, $6.7M prize pool — delivered one of the high-stakes season's landmark results. A decisive jack-ten suited vs king-deuce heads-up hand against Jesse Lonis sealed an already dominant performance.