Sonny Dean defeated JaackMaate and cashed for the first time on Hendon Mob at 888poker LIVE London

Sonny Dean became the first in his family to cash at 888poker LIVE London and earn a record in The Hendon Mob database, surpassing his brother JaackMaate.

The Dean name is becoming increasingly well-known in the poker world, thanks to the activity of the Dean cousins — Jack "JaackMaate" Dean and his cousin Sonny Dean. Both regularly appear on 888poker’s social media, take part in major tournaments, and openly embrace their rivalry. However, it was Sonny Dean who was the first in the family to achieve a notable result: he cashed in a live 888poker LIVE London event and earned his first entry in the renowned Hendon Mob database. Family Rivalry: The Race for a First Hendon Mob Result Jack "JaackMaate" Dean is a well-known YouTuber and 888poker ambassador, and his cousin Sonny often joins him in videos and poker room documentaries. Their friendly rivalry has long been part of their public personas: each wanted to be the first to cash in a major tournament and get their name in the prestigious Hendon Mob database, which tracks all significant live poker results. Both cousins have already played in the World Series of Poker Main Event (WSOP Main Event), taken part in 888poker LIVE Barcelona, and are regulars at local pub tournaments. Yet until recently, neither had an official Hendon Mob result. Sonny notes that this was a major goal for both of them: “We kept saying we wanted to get on the Hendon Mob, before the WSOP, before Barcelona, even when we played in pubs. For us, it’s a really big deal.” In the end, it was Sonny Dean who managed to reach this milestone first, and he doesn’t hide his excitement: “I won’t lie, I thought I’d be the first.” First Steps in Live Poker and the Influence of Pros This result was especially meaningful for Sonny Dean, as it was only the third live tournament of his career. He credits his success to being surrounded by experienced players and 888poker ambassadors, especially his former teacher and Irish Open champion Ian Simpson. Sonny shares: “This is only my third tournament. Being around people like Ian, who spends a lot of time with us and is such a great guy, as well as playing in big events like Barcelona, definitely helped. Even though I still get nervous, I’ve already gained some experience, and now I can approach the game more calmly, be patient, and make decisions without rushing.” He notes that playing in 888poker tournaments and the WSOP Main Event has been a great learning experience: now he feels more confident at the table and is better at handling nerves in the early stages of big events. Tournament Journey: Highs and Lows at 888poker LIVE London Sonny Dean entered the 888poker LIVE London Main Event with a £1,250 buy-in. On Day 1a, he managed to build a stack of 300,500 chips — the second biggest stack of the day and third overall going into Day 2. This gave him a great shot at a deep run, but the road to the money was far from easy. At one point, Sonny was on the brink of elimination: his stack dropped to 65,000, and he was close to busting before reaching the money (the so-called “bubble” — the point where only one more player needs to be eliminated before everyone else is guaranteed a payout). However, he managed to win a few key hands, rebuild his stack, and make it through the bubble with confidence. “I thought I was going to bust when I was down to 65,000, but I managed to pick up a couple of good hands. In the end, I finished the first day with a great stack — 300,000. On Day 2, I built up to 355,000, but then things got tough, and it was only around the bubble that I managed to win a couple more crucial pots,” Sonny recalls. Key Hand: Set Versus Overpair One of the turning points came just before the last break: Sonny three-bet all-in for 101,000 with pocket sixes (66) and got called by an opponent holding pocket eights (88). A six hit the flop, giving Sonny a set, which held through to the river. This double-up allowed him to continue with a comfortable stack. Afterwards, he admitted he felt more confident, but his main goal wasn’t to win — it was to make the money: “For me, the main thing was to cash, and now that I’ve done that, who knows how the rest of the tournament will go.” Mutual Support and Friendly Competition Despite their rivalry, the cousins share strong mutual support. Before heading back to the table, Sonny turned to Jack and said: “Mate, never leave me. We came together, we should leave together. No one gets left behind.” This approach — blending competition with support — helps them grow as players and motivates them to reach new heights. Results and Stats: The Road to the Money Although the original article doesn’t specify Sonny Dean’s final place in the tournament or his winnings, it’s known that he cashed and earned his first entry in the Hendon Mob Database. This achievement marks an important milestone for the entire Dean family and their fans. The 888poker LIVE London event, with its £1,250 buy-in, attracted a tough field, and the presence of ambassadors and well-known players added extra prestige. Sonny Dean managed to show composure and skill, despite the nerves and pressure of a major tournament. Context: The 888poker LIVE Series and the Significance of The Hendon Mob The 888poker LIVE series is one of the biggest tournament brands run by 888poker, with events held in various European cities that attract both professionals and recreational players. The Main Events typically feature high buy-ins and substantial prize pools. The Hendon Mob Database is the largest repository of live poker tournament results. Being listed in this database means a player has reached the money in an official event. For many amateurs and aspiring players, this is a key milestone — a first step toward professional recognition. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players Sonny Dean’s story is a great example for PPPoker club members, showing that even at the start of your career, you can achieve meaningful results if you combine regular practice in both online and live tournaments. Playing in PPPoker club games helps you gain experience, learn to manage nerves, and analyze hands — all of which become especially valuable when transitioning to live events. The second important takeaway is the value of your environment and support network. Sonny’s example shows how important it is to connect with more experienced players, learn from them, and receive moral support. In PPPoker clubs, you can find like-minded people, spark friendly rivalries, and work together toward new goals. Finally, cashing even in local or club tournaments isn’t just about luck — it’s the result of systematic work on your game. Regular play, hand analysis, and participation in PPPoker club events can be excellent preparation for major live tournaments and the first step toward your own Hendon Mob entry.