High Roller poker showdown nears peak with $150K top prize at stake

Allen Shen leads the pack, but Graydon Kowal isn’t far behind. With 14 eliminations needed before the money, every hand could change the game.

, and Administrator

2026 January 24 . 10:20 PM

1 min read

The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread... — The image shows a group of men sitting around a table playing poker, with coins and cards spread out in front of them. In the background, there is a pillar and other objects, suggesting that the men are participating in a poker tournament.

High Roller poker showdown nears peak with $150K top prize at stake

The High Roller poker event is nearing its climax with 45 players still in contention. The winner will take home over $150,000, while those finishing in the money are guaranteed at least $7,173. Day 2 resumes at 1 PM, an hour earlier than previously scheduled.

Allen Shen enters the final day as the chip leader, fresh from his victory in the Monster Stack event. His strong performance has positioned him at the top of the counts for the High Roller No-Limit Hold'em tournament.

Graydon Kowal, owner of Guardian Helicopters, holds the second-largest stack with 641,000 chips. The remaining players will compete under 40-minute blind levels, keeping the pressure steady. Only 31 spots will be paid, meaning 14 more players must be eliminated before the money is reached. The event's structure sheet had initially listed a 2 PM start, but organisers confirmed the earlier 1 PM kickoff for Day 2.

The tournament's final phase will determine who walks away with the top prize. With Shen leading and Kowal close behind, the competition remains fierce. The next eliminations will decide which players secure a minimum payout of $7,173.