Jonathan Rees: Castellón Conquered, Cork Next?

Fresh from his career-best €30,000 victory at PartyPoker Tour Castellón, Jonathan Rees joins Alessandra Pino on Behind the Tour to reflect on a remarkable season, the moments that almost cost him the title, and what might be waiting for him in Cork.

When Jonathan Rees lifted the trophy at the PartyPoker Tour Castellón Main Event, he had every reason to celebrate. The Welsh player overcame a field of 368 entries, survived a dramatic heads-up battle against Spain’s Pau Veciana, and secured the biggest payday of his poker career: €30,000.

His first order of business was to buy drinks for everyone who had been cheering him on. But it wasn’t until he returned home, surrounded by friends and family who had followed his progress, that the magnitude of his achievement really began to sink in.

It was a victory that had been long overdue. Despite having 11 live tournament victories to his name, Rees still describes himself as a “passionate amateur”, although his impressive performances throughout 2026 suggest someone who has truly found his rhythm on the PartyPoker Tour.

• Read more: PartyPoker Tour Comes to Ireland for the First Time in November
• Read more: Jonathan Rees Lands Career-Best Score with PartyPoker Tour Castellón Main Event Win (€30,000)

Three Main Events, Three Cashes and One Trophy

Castellón marked the culmination of an impressive debut season for Rees, who had already cashed in the PartyPoker Tour Main Events in Seville and Madrid.

"Not a bad debut season, is it?" he joked, although he was quick to acknowledge the combination of factors that had contributed to his success.

One of those factors is the atmosphere of the Spanish stops, where tournament poker comes with the added pleasure of a holiday. For Rees, a typical day might involve breakfast by the pool, a swim or a game of golf or tennis before heading to the casino. That relaxed approach, he believes, allows him to enjoy the experience regardless of the result. The tournament structures have also played an important role. Rees particularly appreciates the deeper stacks and longer levels, which give players time to recover from difficult situations. Madrid provided a memorable example. After suffering a significant setback against four of a kind early on Day 1, he rebuilt his stack and eventually reached the money.

Castellón, however, would prove to be a very different experience.

A Final Table Full of Drama

Rees's path to the Castellón title was anything but straightforward.

After a strong start, he endured a frustrating period without playable hands. Yet he stayed composed, recognizing that patience could be as valuable as aggression. He also knew that a confrontation with fellow finalist Ian Simpson was likely. The two had shared a table for several hours and knew each other's approaches to the game. Rees understood that taking a calculated risk could provide the opportunity to build a winning stack. The real drama came during heads-up play against Pau Veciana. After Rees initially appeared to be in control, the momentum swung dramatically in the Spaniard's favor, leaving Rees facing a substantial chip deficit.

For a moment, another near miss seemed possible.

Then came a hand involving pocket queens, a holding Rees admits has not always been kind to him. Facing Veciana's two pair, Rees needed help from the river to keep his championship hopes alive.

The final spade arrived, completing his flush and reversing the situation.

There was something particularly memorable about his recollection of that moment. Despite the pressure, Rees felt strangely confident the tournament would work out in his favor.

As he explained to Alessandra, he felt throughout the trip that "it was meant to be".

That belief, combined with his heads-up experience, helped him complete the comeback and claim the title.

From Family Card Games to Tournament Success

Rees's interest in cards began long before he started collecting poker trophies.

Growing up, card games were a regular feature of family holidays, with everything from rummy to brag making an appearance. He was also particularly good at mathematics at school, an aptitude that would later influence his interest in poker strategy. As he became more involved in the game, satellite tournaments offered an appealing route into larger events. Discovering that he could qualify for tournaments with relatively modest entry costs helped him recognize the opportunities available. But despite his competitive achievements, Rees has never lost sight of the importance of enjoying the game.

"It's gotta still be enjoyable," he explained, reflecting on the pleasure of playing cards and spending time in the tournament environment.

That enjoyment extends beyond the tables. One of the things he values most about the Tour is the friendships that develop between players, particularly those who regularly attend the same events. During Castellón, the support of fellow competitors and PartyPoker Tour ambassadors helped make his victory even more memorable. He also recognizes the importance of that same community when things go wrong. After a difficult elimination, sometimes the best response is to share a drink with friends and leave the analysis of a troublesome hand until the following day. It's an approach that reflects a player who has learned to manage the emotional demands of tournament poker through experience.

A Few Surprises Away from the Table

When he's not playing poker, Rees has a busy working life and enjoys golf whenever he can find the time, although he admits he doesn't get onto the course as often as he would like. Poker, however, is never entirely absent from his thoughts. He regularly revisits hands after a tournament, considering what went well and what he could have done differently. He also has a few habits that might sound familiar to other players. Music is an essential part of his pre-tournament routine, helping him get into the right frame of mind before play begins. Once he reaches the table, though, the headphones stay off. He prefers to concentrate on the people around him and observe his opponents.

And while he doesn't consider himself especially superstitious, he does have one small ritual: if an item was in a particular pocket on the first day of a tournament, he makes sure it goes back into the same pocket the following day.

During the podcast's quick-fire round, Rees also revealed that he would love to face Phil Hellmuth heads-up, while six-deuce suited holds an unusual place among his favorite starting hands.

Castellón Conquered, Cork Next?

With his Castellón trophy secured, attention now turns to the next stop on the PartyPoker Tour calendar: Cork, Ireland, taking place from 9 to 15 November at Macau Casino. Rees is already looking forward to continuing his successful season, although he knows arriving as a recent Main Event champion may put an even bigger target on his back.

"I feel like I have to," he laughed when asked whether he would be heading to Cork.

"Everyone's gonna love to beat you at that point," he acknowledged.

Despite the excitement around his latest victory, Rees remains measured about his future plans. He is careful with his bankroll and has no intention of changing his approach simply because of one significant result.

There are, however, ambitions still to fulfill, including the possibility of one day competing at the World Series of Poker.

And then there's the question of competition a little closer to home.

Rees's partner, PartyPoker Tour ambassador Natalie Bromley, is herself a familiar face on the live poker circuit. When asked which of the two was more competitive, Rees suggested that the answer might become clear if they ever found themselves facing each other heads-up.

As it happens, Natalie also has a few things to say about Jon, their partnership and what the future might hold. Listeners to Behind the Tour can look forward to a special appearance from someone who knows the Castellón champion particularly well.

For now, Rees has his trophy, his career-best result and the satisfaction of a remarkable season. Whether Cork brings another final table, another victory or an entirely new chapter remains to be seen.

One thing is certain: after conquering Castellón, Jon Rees is a player worth watching.

Hear more from Jonathan Rees, including a surprise contribution from Natalie Bromley, on Behind the Tour, the official VibeLive podcast, hosted by Dr Alessandra Pino.