When Lightning Strikes Twice (and Then Three More Times)
“Wait, did they just win again?”
That’s what I heard at least a dozen times walking through the Venetian during this week’s U.S. Poker Open. And yeah, they did. The Foxens and the Wilson-Andrews duo have turned the prestigious high-roller series into their personal ATM machine, collecting five titles between them through the first seven events.
I was grabbing coffee with a fellow reporter when Event #5 wrapped up. Brock Wilson had just taken it down for $262,500, his second win of the series. My colleague shook his head and laughed. “Remember when winning one USPO event in your career was a big deal?”
The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s the damage so far:
- Event #2: Alex Foxen ships the $10K NLHE for $204,000
- Event #3: Cherish Andrews conquers the $15K PLO for $243,000
- Event #4: Kristen Foxen takes down the $10K Big Bet Mix for $163,200
- Event #5: Brock Wilson wins the $15K NLHE for $262,500
- Event #7: Wilson again, this time the $25K NLHE for $416,500
That’s $1,289,200 in winnings. From four players. Who happen to be dating each other.
The rest of the high-stakes community? They’re fighting over scraps. Sure, Jeremy Ausmus took down the opener and Jake Schindler grabbed Event #6. But this series belongs to the couples.
Love, Actually (With a Side of Poker Dominance)
I’ve covered poker long enough to see plenty of couples at the tables. Usually one’s playing while the other rails. Or they’re avoiding each other’s events entirely. (Can’t say I blame them – imagine the car ride home after knocking out your significant other.)
But these four? They’re rewriting the playbook.
Alex told me between events that having Kristen there actually helps his game. “We push each other. When she makes a final table, I want to match it. When I win, she wants to one-up me.”
The competitive dynamic works differently for Brock and Cherish. She’d been on a brutal downswing before the series started – we’re talking six figures in the red since February. Her PLO victory wasn’t just about the money. When I caught up with her after, she was practically glowing. “Brock kept telling me to trust my game. Turns out he was right.”
The Secret Sauce
So what’s their edge?
It’s not just skill, though all four are obviously crushers. I think it’s the support system. Most poker players are lone wolves. They grind alone, study alone, tilt alone. These four have built-in accountability partners who understand the game at the highest level.
Kristen put it best: “When I’m reviewing hands at 2 AM, Alex is right there with me. We’re not just emotionally supportive – we’re talking through GTO spots and population tendencies.”
That late-night study session access is gold. How many relationships have imploded because one partner doesn’t understand why the other needs to review hand histories until sunrise? Zero concern here. They’re probably arguing about solver outputs over breakfast.
The Rest of the Field Adjusts
The dominance hasn’t gone unnoticed.
During a break in Event #8, I overheard two well-known pros discussing whether they should skip the mixed game events entirely. “Why donate to the Foxens?” one joked. Except he was only half-joking.
Another pro, who asked to remain nameless, was more philosophical about it. “Look, they’re playing perfect poker right now. The variance will catch up eventually. Or maybe it won’t. Either way, I’m not changing my schedule because four people are running pure.”
That’s the thing about heaters in poker. You never know when they’ll end. Could be next event. Could be never.
What’s Next
Three events remain in the series. The way things are going, I wouldn’t bet against at least one more win from the fearsome foursome.
The $50K Main Event looms largest. It’s the crown jewel, the one everyone wants. If any of them ship that, we’re looking at a seven-figure score and serious Player of the Year implications.
I asked Brock what happens if he and Cherish both make the Main Event final table. He grinned. “First one out cooks dinner for a month.”
Now that’s a last longer bet I’d actually want to watch.
