Sonny Dean Beats JaackMaate to First Hendon Mob Cash at 888poker LIVE London

Summary

Sonny Dean, cousin of popular YouTuber Jack “JaackMaate” Dean, secured his first Hendon Mob database cash during the £1,250 Main Event at 888poker LIVE London. In only his third live tournament, Sonny bagged 300,500 chips after a strong Day 1a performance, briefly dipped to around 65,000 chips but rebounded through the bubble and added chips on Day 2. A key hand saw Sonny three-bet shove with pocket sixes, hit a set on the flop against pocket eights and survive to boost his stack. He credits time spent around 888poker ambassadors — notably Ian Simpson — and experience from events like the WSOP Main Event and 888poker LIVE Barcelona for helping him settle in under pressure.

Key Points

Sonny Dean earned his first Hendon Mob entry at 888poker LIVE London in the £1,250 Main Event.
He bagged 300,500 chips on Day 1a and climbed to about 355K on Day 2 before later struggles.
Sonny nearly busted (down to ~65K) but recovered, navigating the money bubble and key hands.
Notable hand: three-bet shove with pocket sixes, flop set vs pocket eights — the set held.
Dean credits mentorship and experience around 888poker ambassadors such as Ian Simpson for rapid improvement.
There’s a friendly rivalry with cousin Jack “JaackMaate” — both had aimed to land a Hendon Mob cash.

Why should I read this?

Because it’s a feel-good, quick win: cousin rivalry, a newbie making the Hendon Mob, and a dramatic comeback near the bubble. If you like poker stories with a human angle (and a dose of influencer drama), this is a short, satisfying read — we’ve skimmed the grit so you don’t have to.

Context and relevance

This piece is of interest to followers of live poker and poker-content creators. The Hendon Mob database is the standard record for live tournament results in the poker world, so a first entry is a milestone for any aspiring player. It also highlights the growing crossover between social-media poker personalities and traditional live circuits, and how mentorship from established pros (Ian Simpson in this case) can accelerate a newcomer’s progress.

Author’s take

Punchy and straightforward: Sonny’s milestone is small but meaningful — especially for fans of the Dean cousins and followers of 888poker’s content. Not a headline-grabber for the broader poker world, but a neat human-interest moment at a major live festival.

Source

Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/09/sonny-dean-achieves-first-hendon-mob-cash-49656.htm