Dan “Jungleman” Cates takes a beating at the felt, but still comes out on top
The Onyx Club Super High Roller Series in Cyprus delivered some of the most dramatic high-stakes poker ever streamed, drawing global attention to a clash between Ossi Ketola and Dan “Jungleman” Cates.
Over twelve intense hours, the two players battled across multiple heads-up matches, with pots so large they broke televised poker records again and again. The biggest reached $7.7 million, coming close to the first-ever eight-figure broadcast pot. Though Cates lost that particular showdown, he ultimately emerged as the biggest winner of the series, walking away with around $15 million in profit.
Ketola had already been making waves prior to Cyprus, scoring a large win in Tallinn. His drive for ever-higher stakes saw him face off against Kayhan Mokri in what was then the biggest televised heads-up game, with $2.33 million each on the table.
After losing that clash, Ketola pushed for an even bigger rematch, which Mokri declined. That opened the door for Cates to step in, and from there the action escalated into one of the most unforgettable poker sessions of recent years.
Cates showcased his trademark mix of fearlessness and precision, punishing his opponent with relentless pressure even after absorbing brutal coolers. At times, both players sat with $7 million stacks, raising the tension and the potential payouts to surreal levels.
The stream captured not only the hands but also the table talk, with the two discussing everything from energy drinks to private jet wagers, underlining the casual yet high-stakes nature of their duel.
The series set a new benchmark for what televised poker can deliver in terms of both entertainment and sheer financial magnitude. For Cates, it was a reaffirmation of his place among the world’s elite players, while for Ketola, it was a high-risk gamble that ended in massive losses. The spectacle left fans marveling at both the courage and volatility of poker at the very top.
