YouTube Superstar JaackMaate Plays in the PokerNews Online Championship at 888poker
YouTube Star JaackMaate Competes in 888poker’s PokerNews Online Championship
YouTube sensation Jack Dean, known as “JaackMaate” to his 1.35 million subscribers, is one of the thousands of players taking part in the 2025 PokerNews Online Championship (PNOC) at 888poker. JaackMaate, who joined 888poker as a cultural ambassador in August 2022, has been streaming his PNOC action live on 888poker’s Twitch channel and is expected to play more events before the series concludes.
This isn’t JaackMaate’s first rodeo with 888poker. In April 2024, the Norwich native teamed up with 888poker’s Nick Eastwood for a Tag Team Poker event despite being a poker novice at the time. A few months later, he traveled to Las Vegas to compete in the 2024 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, making it to Day 3 alongside Aaron Barone and Vivian Saliba.
Now, JaackMaate is back at the virtual felt, grinding the PNOC events online. He has already played one of the $300,000 guaranteed Mystery Bounty Main Event Day 1s and could be sharing a table with you soon.
Despite the allure of big prize money, JaackMaate seems genuinely drawn to the game itself. “Any event is a chance to learn more about this weird little card game we all love (and sometimes hate!),” he told PokerNews. “But I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t excited for the Main Event of the PokerNews series I’m playing tonight.”
While the 2024 WSOP was JaackMaate’s first major live poker experience, he believes he has improved since then. “I’ve played a lot more poker since then, but it is hard to say. I’ve ironed out a few rookie mistakes I used to make, but I know there are a million more lessons I’ve yet to learn. I wouldn’t use the word ready, but more optimistic.”
JaackMaate has sought advice from fellow 888poker ambassadors, crediting them for fueling his passion for the game. He thinks Josh Manley will be the site’s top performer in the PNOC, calling him “the GOAT.”
The YouTube star is particularly fond of 888poker’s new in-game HUD, joking that “It’s teaching me the art of folding.” As for those considering joining the PNOC action, JaackMaate advises, “Take the plunge – it’s worth it. You never quite know how far it will take you.”
In his first PNOC Main Event attempt, JaackMaate fell short on Day 1 after making an unfortunate river bluff with A-7 for two pair against an opponent’s wheel straight. Undeterred, he vowed to “get them next time,” suggesting he may fire another bullet.
