In a storybook comeback that few could have predicted, British poker legend Jake Cody has returned to the centre stage with a remarkable win at the 2025 Seminole Hard Rock Poker Open (SHRPO) Main Event.
Cody won the $5,300 buy-in event, beating out 889 other players, including many stars, more than ten years after his famous poker triple crown win. He made $510,850 following a three-way deal with Jeremy Wien and Stephen Song, which was the end of a prize pool of $4,311,650, which was more than the $3 million guarantee.
“It feels unbelievable, getting the trophy, winning the tournament,” Cody said moments after his victory. “Even if you get a lot of money, actually winning just feels so good. There’s nothing that could have gone any differently. I’m very happy with it.”
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From Young Phenom to Poker Icon
In 2011, Jake Cody became the youngest player ever to complete poker’s triple crown—winning the European Poker Tour Deauville, World Poker Tour London, and a World Series of Poker bracelet in just 18 months. He was hailed as one of the brightest talents of his generation.
But in the years that followed, Cody shifted his focus away from the high-intensity tournament circuit, choosing instead to concentrate on cash games and family life. Until now, his last six-figure live tournament score dated back to October 2014.
“These days I just really play cash games,” Cody explained. “I play maybe ten tournaments a year anymore, just in locations that I’m in. But I still enjoy the rush of going deep—there’s no better feeling than that.”
Navigating the Final Table
Cody began the final day with a commanding chip lead over the remaining seven players. Early on, he faced a pivotal hand against Stephen Song, both holding ace-king, which ended in a split pot.
Notable knockouts included Serbian pro Andjelko Andrejevic sending Jasper Ma home in seventh, and Cody himself eliminating Tray Jones after winning a coin flip with pocket jacks.
Jeremy Wien’s rise in the standings came through a dramatic pot against Shaun Davis, where a counterfeited two-pair sent Davis out in fifth place. Cody then knocked out Andrejevic in fourth when his ace-jack held against ace-ten.
With three players remaining, Cody, Wien, and Song agreed to a deal, securing their payouts and leaving Cody to take home the trophy and title.
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A Star-Studded Podium
While Cody took the spotlight, his opponents were no strangers to poker success. Stephen Song boasts nearly $11 million in career earnings, including an EPT Barcelona title and a WSOP bracelet, while Jeremy Wien’s resume includes a WSOP victory in 2018.
By adding his name to the SHRPO winners’ list alongside Paul Snead (2024), Farid Jattin (2023), and Sergio Aido (2022), Cody reaffirmed his elite status in the poker world.
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What’s Next for Cody?
While fans may hope this victory signals a full return to tournament play, Cody’s own words suggest otherwise.
“I still love the feeling of winning, but cash games are where it’s at for me right now,” he said with a smile.
Whether he sticks to his casual tournament schedule or surprises us with more deep runs, one thing is certain—Jake Cody’s name will remain etched in poker history.
Content Courtesy: CARD PLAYER
