Ben Grise turned heads at the PokerGO Cup in Las Vegas with back-to-back second-place finishes worth $273,000. The Indiana pro pulled off the feat one day after learning his poker buddy Matt Lushin had been killed back home. Grise played through raw grief, showing the grit that defines top poker players.
Ben Grise entered the spotlight during the 2026 PokerGO Cup at the PokerGO Studio. He first shone in Event 8, a $10,000 no-limit hold’em tournament with 70 entries.
Grise took second place, earning $136,500 after falling to winner Filipp Khavin. Khavin claimed the $210,000 top prize. Grise then bagged the Day 1 chip lead in Event 9, the next $10,000 no-limit hold’em.
He repeated the runner-up spot there too. Sean Winter beat him heads-up for another $210,000 win. Grise pocketed $136,500 more.
| Event | Winner | Prize | Grise Place | Grise Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #8 $10K NLH | Filipp Khavin | $210,000 | 2nd | $136,500 |
| #9 $10K NLH | Sean Winter | $210,000 | 2nd | $136,500 |
This heater boosts Grise’s career earnings past $1.24 million, per tournament records. He ranks among Indiana’s top players.
Matt Lushin’s Sudden Death Shocks Community
James Matt Lushin, 47, died in his Westfield, Indiana home on Thursday, March 12. Westfield police got a call at 7:24 p.m. about an unresponsive man in the 3900 block of Westfield Road.
Medics pronounced Lushin dead at the scene from apparent trauma. Police quickly ruled it a homicide but called it an isolated case with no threat to others.
No arrests have happened yet. Detectives work the case but share few details.
Lushin built a solid poker resume with over $510,000 in live cashes. His best came fourth place for $69,542 in a 2025 WSOP Circuit main event.
Friends Keep Grise Focused Through Grief
Grise and Lushin bonded over poker and lived in the same town. They played golf and shared laughs at the tables.
Friends held back the tragic news during Event 8’s final table. They knew the shock could wreck his focus.
Grise learned right after. He stepped away briefly but returned strong. He skipped hands to process but still led Event 9’s Day 1.
“You always knew you could hang out with him and he’d put a smile on your face,” Grise said. He called Lushin witty, like a big brother who teased in fun.
- Grise misses competing and golfing with Lushin.
- Both have sons the same age, adding to the pain.
- “It still doesn’t feel real,” Grise added.
Yesterday felt numb, but today the anger hit. Poker friends from Indy feel the void too.
Indiana Poker Loses a Key Player
Lushin cashed often in big spots. He grabbed $2,276 for 61st in a WSOPC mini main event in Hammond two weeks back.
Grise climbs Indiana’s all-time money list at 14th. Lushin sat around 39th.
The local scene mourns a fun guy who lifted spirits. Poker mixes high stakes with tight bonds like these.
This loss tests that community. Grise’s run shows how players push on despite pain.
Grise’s focus amid loss inspires. It highlights poker’s mental demands and friendships that endure.
