Logo-PGT

The U.S. Poker Open at the PokerGO Studio is just a week away and each day we speak to one of the contenders to get their take on this annual high roller series. Today we catch up with Bryn Kenney, who’s coming off winning a career-highlight Aussie Millions Main Event just last week. Kenney now sits ninth on poker’s all-time money list with a staggering $26.6 million in career earnings, but he’s already looking to add more at the PokerGO Studio next week.

Check out the PokerGO broadcasting schedule of the U.S. Poker Open right here, and full tournament structures and details right here.

Looking back on his stellar showing in Melbourne, Australia where Kenney added A$1,272,598 to his list of results, the Long Island, NY native is gushing with excitement.

“It feels amazing because I finally got my first Main Event final table, which turned into my first win in such an event. Aussie Millions is a special place because of its fun environment, lots of fans, an amazing city, and amazing tournaments. I hope they run more high rollers in the future because lots of people love playing here.”

Kenney Best Win Ever

Kenney dubbed this victory the “best ever,” combining all of the factors above into a win unlike any he’s had before. Leading up to this Aussie Millions win, Kenney was known as the crusher of high roller events, never having won a massive Main Event despite his enormous list of results. The Aussie Millions Main Event is now Kenney’s seventh largest tournament result, his previous biggest non-high roller score being $287,870 in a World Series of Poker $5,000 No Limit Hold’em event.

About his results being skewed towards high rollers, Kenney said, “I think that it’s all about having a good time and being relaxed and having the grind in me at the time, how things are going, and how the place is, and whether I’m having a great time or not. Somehow, in high rollers, I can just zone in for 1-3 days and just forget about everything else. This event, in particular, was different because I had a lot of fun playing with the amateur players who were having good laughs and a good time.”

The Aussie Millions Main Event ended in slightly strange fashion for the keen observer, as not a single hand of heads-up play was played, and Kenney didn’t bust a single player at the final table. A deal was made after more than 100 hands of three-handed play between Kenney, Andrew Hinrichsen and co-chip leader Mike Del Vecchio, crowning Kenney as the champion while receiving the same amount as Del Vecchio.

“I really wanted the win and so did Mike. I didn’t really mind to play for all of it, and despite shitty cards, I could still hold my own. I think it was clear who was playing the best, and when they asked to deal I didn’t want to unless I was going to win the tournament. The win means a lot to me so I wasn’t gonna deal without getting first so it was up to them if they wanted to give that up and they did. I was happy to play and I left it up to them. At first, they weren’t keen but I came back from break and they changed their minds and said they would give it up to make a deal.”

Now, looking ahead at the U.S. Poker Open, Kenney is shifting his gears towards another high roller series in which he’s one of the top contenders. Kenney loves the PokerGO Studio and all that comes with it, and he’s ready to make another run at a big title early in the year.

“The tournament staff at ARIA is, in my opinion, the best in the world and it’s a fun environment even though the players aren’t as much fun. Winning this 10-day high roller series would be a nice accomplishment, and I like my chances as I do my best in small fields where you have to adjust to the dynamics of players constantly. The $100,000 added is great, but it doesn’t change my approach unless I might need a min cash to win the whole thing at the end!”

Watch Kenney in action during the U.S. Poker Open starting on February 14 live and exclusively on PokerGO. Subscribe to PokerGO right now to enjoy more than 100 days of live poker action every single year.

Bryn Kenney, USPO, Mike Del Vecchio, Aussie Millions, Andrew Hinrichsen