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Dan Cates Scores $15 Million in Profit, Serves Rival 2M Cooler
- Dan Cates defeated Ossie Ketola in 4 of 6 high-stakes poker matches.
- The series took place at Onyx Club and SHRS Cyprus, with buy-ins of €2M-€6M.
- Highlights included a $2M cooler and a Royal Flush; Cates earned over $15M.
Dan “Jungleman” Cates defeated Ossie “Monarch” Ketola in four of six high-stakes heads-up poker matches across the Onyx Club and SHRS Cyprus, earning over $15 million. The series featured dramatic hands, including a $2M cooler and a Royal Flush.
Dan “Jungleman” Cates has been at the centre of a high-stakes poker series that drew global attention.
Competing in a set of heads-up matches against Ossie “Monarch” Ketola—entrepreneur and esports personality, Cates won four, earning an estimated €13 million (approximately $15.1 million).
Each match featured buy-ins ranging from €2 million to €6 million, with escalating stakes and significant pots. The series was among the most-watched heads-up showdowns in recent poker history.
$2 Million Cooler Opens the Series
The action began at The Onyx Club, where both players sat down with $1 million each at $15,000/$30,000 blinds. In the 19th hand, Ketola opened with A♦K♠ and was met with a three-bet from Cates, who held K♥K♦. Ketola moved all-in, and Cates called.
With no run-it-twice arrangement, the board came 8♠7♠2♣10♥Q♥, securing the $2 million pot for Cates. Despite the early setback, Ketola responded by winning a rematch with trips, evening the overall score.
Onyx SHRS Cyprus: High-Stakes Matches Continue
The duel continued in Cyprus at the Merit Royal Diamond, where the stakes intensified. The agreed format was heads-up, with varying buy-ins across six matches:
- Match 1 (€2M): Cates claimed the opening win.
- Match 2 (€2M): Ketola recovered with a victory.
- Match 3 (€3M): Ketola gained the lead after back-to-back coolers and effective chip management.
At this point, Ketola led 2–1, appearing to have momentum on his side.
Cates Responds in Matches Four and Five
Trailing in the series, Cates entered Match 4—a $25,000/$50,000 stakes game—with focus. Despite Ketola taking an early lead, Cates regained control and closed out the match with the win.
In Match 5, played at the same stakes, Cates delivered a dominant performance. He caught Ketola bluffing on the river for $750,000, won with trip queens, and eventually eliminated Ketola in a string of decisive hands.
Final Showdown: €6 Million Buy-In and Royal Flush
With Ketola trailing by €7 million, both players entered Match 6, posting €6 million buy-ins and playing at $30,000/$60,000 blinds.
Cates took control early, though Ketola fought back with a two-pair hand that led to a fold from Cates holding the top pair. However, Cates reclaimed the momentum with several key hands:
- Rivered a flush for value
- Executed a successful ace-high bluff for $1.8 million
- Hit a Royal Flush with 10♣9♠ on a board of A♣K♣Q♣J♣
The final hand saw Ketola move all-in with Q♥3♥, and Cates called with A♦8♥. The board of 8♠J♥A♣7♣3♠ sealed the outcome, ending the series with Cates as the clear overall winner.
Match Results
| Match | Buy-in | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | €1M | Dan Cates |
| 2 | €1M | Ossi Ketola |
| 3 | €3M | Ossi Ketola |
| 4 | €5M | Dan Cates |
| 5 | €5M | Dan Cates |
| 6 | €6M | Dan Cates |
Dan Cates at Onyx Super High Roller Series
Dan Cates' six-match heads-up series against Ossie Ketola combined deep strategy, rare hands, and high-stakes action. Securing four wins and netting over $15 million in profit, Cates demonstrated his skill and composure under pressure.
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