Sonny Dean Beats JaackMaate to First Hendon Mob Cash at 888poker LIVE London
Summary
Sonny Dean secured the first Hendon Mob cash for the Dean family at the 888poker LIVE London £1,250 Main Event. A familiar face to followers of YouTuber Jack “JaackMaate” Dean, Sonny bagged 300,500 chips on Day 1a and survived the payment bubble after a rollercoaster day that saw him dip to around 65,000 before recovering. He credited time spent around 888poker ambassadors — specifically Ian Simpson — and prior big-event experience for helping him settle.
Key Points
- Sonny Dean achieved his first Hendon Mob cash at 888poker LIVE London, beating cousin Jack “JaackMaate” in the race for the family’s first listing.
- He bagged 300,500 chips on Day 1a of the £1,250 Main Event, finishing second on the night and third to start Day 2.
- Sonny nearly exited early, falling to roughly 65,000 chips before winning several key hands and making the money.
- One pivotal hand: Sonny three-bet shoved 101,000 with pocket sixes, hit a set on the flop, and took down a big pot vs pocket eights.
- He credits mentorship and experience from 888poker ambassadors like Ian Simpson and prior entries in events such as the WSOP Main Event and 888poker LIVE Barcelona.
- Sonny is optimistic about progressing further but says cashing was the main goal — now he’s aiming higher.
Content Summary
Sonny Dean, cousin to YouTuber Jack “JaackMaate” Dean, has been chasing a Hendon Mob entry with his cousin and local pub tournament showdowns. At 888poker LIVE London he delivered in only his third live event by securing a cash and a healthy Day 2 stack after a nervy start. He described steadying himself through early nerves, using lessons from playing alongside experienced ambassadors and in large events to calm down and play patiently.
A notable moment came before the last scheduled break when Sonny shoved 101,000 with pocket sixes, was called by pocket eights, and flopped a set to double up. That swing helped him navigate the bubble and finish Day 1a strongly. He told his cousin he didn’t want to be left behind and that cashing had been the immediate objective—but the run is ongoing and live updates from PokerNews will track his progress.
Context and Relevance
This story sits at the intersection of influencer culture and live poker: content creators like Jack and family members such as Sonny are moving from online and social channels into live tournament success. A Hendon Mob entry is a milestone for any aspiring live player and signals a step up from casual and pub poker into the recognised live-tournament scene. For followers of 888poker and the Dean content, it’s a feel-good milestone and a marker of progress for grassroots players benefiting from mentorship and event exposure.
Why should I read this?
If you follow JaackMaate or enjoy watching creators try their hand at proper live tournaments, this is the neat little victory you’ll want to know about. It’s short, it’s human, and yes — we read it so you don’t have to. Sonny grabbing that Hendon Mob spot is a tidy moment for fans and anyone tracking influencer-to-live-player journeys.
Author style
Punchy: short, direct and reader-friendly. This piece highlights a memorable milestone rather than deep strategy; if you’re into poker personalities and live-event stories, it’s worth the quick read.
Source
Source: https://www.pokernews.com/news/2025/09/sonny-dean-achieves-first-hendon-mob-cash-49656.htm