The Hendon Mob Championship is heading to Johannesburg, with THMC and ShuffleUp Poker joining forces for the THMC SA Millions at Montecasino.
Boasting a R1 million guarantee, the tournament will kick off the SA Poker Open, ShuffleUp’s flagship poker series of the year, and mark the beginning of a new partnership between two major names in the live poker space.
Building on Three Years in Cape Town
THMC’s move to Johannesburg follows a successful three-year run in Cape Town, where the Cape Town Million experienced consistent year-on-year growth.
The tournament attracted 210 entries in 2023, 299 in 2024 and 354 in 2025, while also developing a strong relationship with the South African poker community and becoming a popular destination for THMC Champions from around the world.
That success provided the foundation for THMC to expand its presence in the country, this time alongside ShuffleUp.
Roland Boothby, Head of Partnerships at GPI x THM, said the move represents an exciting next step for the Championship.
“This October marks an exciting new chapter, as we bring the THMC to a new city, a new venue and a new partnership with the ShuffleUp Poker team.”
Boothby added that THMC was looking forward to introducing its 2026 Champions to the destination while showcasing South Africa’s poker community.
Five Starting Flights Give Players Plenty of Options
Players will take their seats with a 30 000 starting stack and a R9000 buy-in, with five starting flights available.
Days 1A through 1C will feature 30-minute levels, while Days 1D and 1E will offer a faster format with 15-minute levels. From Day 2 onwards, levels increase to 40 minutes as the remaining field plays towards a champion.
The full tournament schedule is:
Day 1A: 28 October | 18:00
Day 1B: 29 October | 18:00
Day 1C: 30 October | 14:00
Day 1D: 31 October | 12:00
Day 1E: 1 November | 16:00
Day 2: 2 November | 12:00
Day 3: 3 November | 14:00
THMC Champions Head to South Africa
Adding to the international potential of the field, THMC’s Champions package promotion will continue in 2026.
Every THMC Champion crowned during the year will receive a package to the SA Millions, with the offering including an additional €500 travel credit towards Main Event travel.
The promotion will bring together players who have earned THMC titles at stops around the world with the local field, giving South African players the opportunity to compete alongside an international group of Championship winners.
As ShuffleUp prepares for its flagship SA Poker Open, the collaboration with The Hendon Mob sets the stage for a significant addition to the South African live poker calendar.
