The 888poker XL Spring Series 2023 kicked off back on May 21 and recently wrapped up on Tuesday, June 6.
The series culminated in a multi-flight tournament – the $250 buy-in $500K Mystery Bounty Main Event – which was streamed live on our Twitch channel, 888pokerTV.
From the tracked results, Brazilian players did the best laying claim to six titles, while players from the United Kingdom and Ukraine had five apiece.
From there, Germany was on the board with four, Montenegro with three, and Canada with two.
Meanwhile, Sweden, Lithuania, and Turkey all had one apiece.
Here are some of the bigger stories from the series.
lxiltxZtKQn Wins Main, UK’s Lokiape Nabs $50K Bounty!
In the aforementioned $250 buy-in, $500K GTD Main Event attracted 1,686 players who rebought 135 times. So, the $500,000 prize pool was split between the regular and bounty pools.
There was a top bounty of $50,000 up for grabs, and that wound up going to the United Kingdom’s “Lokiape”, who also finished in 22nd place for $1,175. They won some other bounties for a total payout of $52,254.46.
Others to earn big bounties were Brazilians “MARIMBONDO1” (12th place for $2,675 plus $17,028.11 in bounties) and “HaxLife” (238th place for $15,000 in bounties).
Among those to make deep runs but fall short of the final table were the following players –
- “SenvintySync” (55th place for $700 plus $5,000 in bounties)
- “tyloovad1k” (28th place for $975 plus $3,448.65 in bounties)
- “MadMenFFs” (16th place for $1,550 plus $7,738.38 in bounties)
- Final table bubble “babygabriiel (10th place for $2,675 plus $8,528.11 in bounties)
The final table went on an overnight hiatus before returning on Tuesday to battle to a winner on a live stream.
Four Brazilians were at that final table, and one of them ultimately closed it out for the win. “lxiltxZtKQn” bested Malta’s “luttekikker” in heads-up play to win the tournament for $36,525 plus $1,738.38 in bounties for a total payday of $38,263.38.
XL Spring Main Event Final Table Results
1st – “lxiltxZtKQn” (Brazil) … $36,525 + $1,738.38 in bounties = $38,263.38
2nd – “luttekikker” (Malta) … $26,700 + $4,738.38 in bounties = $31,438.38
3rd – “r4ndomrgs” (Sweden) … $19,625 + $1,869.19 in bounties = $21,494.19
4th – “Rochinh2011” (Brazil) … $14,425 + $3,158.92 in bounties = $17,583.92
5th – “Hiisoka93” (Brazil) … $10,675 + $1,738.38 in bounties = $12,413.38
6th – “ckb4714” (United Kingdom) … $7,950 + $2,289.73 in bounties = $10,239.73
7th – “betsoares” (Brazil) … $5,975 + $8,817.84 in bounties = $14,792.84
8th – “buicanalex” (Romania) … $4,525 + $2,658.92 in bounties = $7,183.92
9th – “xxBanioNxx” (Ireland) … $3,450 + $1,948.65 in bounties = $5,398.65
BTC23 Wins, Brazil’s kelsen.lab Nabs Big Bounty
On Sunday, May 28, the $55 buy-in, $35K GTD Event #14: Mystery Bounty 8-Max had 543 players rebuy 202 times, which surpassed the guarantee by generating a $37,250 prize pool.
That included a $3,500 top bounty that went to Brazil’s “kelsen.lab”, who also finished in 16th place for $197. Along with some other bounties they walked away with a tournament-high $4,318.24 in prize money.
After nearly nine hours of play, it was Germany’s “BTC23” defeating the United Kingdom’s “WalnutPix” in heads-up play to capture the $3,723.30 top prize.
Along with $574.56 in bounties, they wound up with a payout of $4,297.86.
Event #14 Final Table Results
1st – “BTC23” (Germany) … $3,723.30 + $574.56 in bounties = $4,297.86
2nd – “WalnutPix” (United Kingdom) … $2,728.45 + $717.48 in bounties = $3,445.93
3rd – “EduAraujo” (Brazil) … $2,009.40 + $685.40 in bounties = $2,694.80
4th – “guizones27” (Brazil) … $1,477.50 + $128.32 in bounties = $1,605.82
5th – “Zer0013” (Lithuania) … $985 + $160.40 in bounties = $1,145.40
6th – “TtAaKeE” (Brazil) … $689.50 + $335.40 in bounties = $1,024.90
7th – “M.Barabov” (Ukraine) … $492.50 + $207.08 in bounties = $699.58
8th – “julianopk10” (Brazil) … $344.75 + $96.24 in bounties = $440.99
9th – “DeniSdrv” (Latvia) … $263.98 + $96.24 in bounties = $360.22
Germans Battle for 8-Max Grand Title
On Tuesday, May 30, the $320 buy-in, $15K GTD Event #21: 8-Max Grand saw 58 players rebuy 16 times, which cruised by the guarantee. A healthy $22,200 prize pool was up for grabs to the top eight finishers.
Canada’s “algsxr” bubbled in 11th place, “billycadu14” in 8th place for $900, “OnlyBet” in 6th place for $1,237.50, and “NuttedOn875” in 4th place for $2,250.
The title came down to a pair of Germans in “pactamah23” and “Fighta07”.
After nearly seven hours of play it was the latter finishing as the last player standing for $7,312.50.
Event #21 Final Table Results
1st – “Fighta07” (Germany) … $7,312.50
2nd – “pactamah23” (Germany) … $4,725
3rd – “NL_Basmach” (Kazakhstan) … $3,375
4th – “NuttedOn875” (N/A) … $2,250
5th – “marllonsanti” (Brazil) … $1,687.50
6th – “OnlyBet” (Cyprus) … $1,237.50
7th – “Sly_81” (Germany) … $1,012.50
8th – “billycadu14” (Argentina) … $900
Lithuania’s samsungas Gets Job Done in Event #25
On Thursday, June 1, the $320 buy-in, $15K GTD XL Spring Event #25: PKO 6-Max attracted 46 players who rebought 13 times. The 59-entry field surpassed the guarantee by offering up a $17,700 prize pool, split between the regular and bounty prize pools.
Some players to earn bounties but fail to make the money were –
- “POTCHECKER99” ($337.50)
- “sumpfin” ($300)
- “patience888” ($150)
The top six finishers made the money including the following –
- “sergebezb” (6th place for $486.75 plus $600 in bounties)
- “katekajie” (5th place for $663.75 plus $225 in bounties)
- “billycadu14” (4th place for $885 plus $262.50 in bounties)
After “Panxetillo” bowed out in third place for $1,327.50 plus $1,218.75 in bounties, the final two players each locked up $2,743.50 in prize money.
However, there was a $2,990.62 PKO bounty up for grabs. After 6 hours and 18 minutes of play, it was Lithuania’s “samsungas” defeating Canada’s “popsnpoker” to win the tournament for $5,734.12 in prize money!
Event #25 Final Table Results
1st – “samsungas” (Lithunia) … $2,743.50 + $2,990.62 in bounties = $5,734.12
2nd – “popsnpoker” (Canada) … $2,743.50 + $1,715.63 in bounties = $4,459.13
3rd – “Panxetillo” (Moldova) … $1,327.50 + $1,218.75 in bounties = $2,546.25
4th – “billycadu14” (Argentina) … $885 + $262.50 in bounties = $1,147.50
5th – “katekajie” (Montenegro) … $663.75 + $225 in bounties = $888.75
6th – “sergebezb” (Estonia) … $468.75 + $600 in bounties = $1,086.75
2023 XL Spring Winner’s List
Date |
Tournament |
Buy-In |
Total Entries |
Prize Pool |
Winner |
Prize |
Sun, 21/5 |
Event #1: $25K Mystery Bounty Mini Opening |
$55 |
779 |
$38,950 |
"Geebotics" |
$4,249.51 |
Sun, 21/5 |
Event #2: $120K Mystery Bounty Opening |
$109 |
1061 |
$120,000 |
"Iroquois" |
$15,145.80 |
Sun, 21/5 |
Event #3: $40K Mystery Bounty High Roller Opening |
$525 |
76 |
$40,000 |
"riclam02" |
$16,880 |
Mon, 22/5 |
Event #4: $12K PKO 8-Max Mini |
$22 |
855 |
$17,100 |
"coldzebra" |
$2,749.75 |
Mon, 22/5 |
Event #5: $15K PKO 8-Max |
$109 |
197 |
$19,700 |
"UndeadCretin" |
$4,050.73 |
Tues, 23/5 |
Event #6: $6K Mystery Bounty Turbo Mini Deep |
$33 |
337 |
$10,110 |
"papa_af" |
$1,529.39 |
Tues, 23/5 |
Event #7: $15K Mystery Bounty Turbo Deep |
$320 |
84 |
$25,200 |
"Lukelsu10" |
$6,456 |
Wed, 24/5 |
Event #8: $12K 6-Max Mini |
$22 |
609 |
$12,180 |
"goldengaze1" |
$2,436 |
Wed, 24/5 |
Event #9: $12K 6-Max |
$109 |
194 |
$19,400 |
"ricardo_ns8" |
$5,044 |
Thurs, 25/5 |
Event #11: $5K Super KO Mini |
$5.50 |
934 |
$5,000 |
"imbahj" |
$457.32 |
Fri, 26/5 |
Event #13: $12K PKO Turbo Deep |
$109 |
108 |
$12,000 |
"MorayEEEEEL" |
$3,000.89 |
Sun, 28/5 |
Event #14: $35K Mystery Bounty 8-Max |
$55 |
744 |
$37,200 |
"BTC23" |
$4,297.86 |
Sun, 28/5 |
Event #15: $10K Mystery Bounty Mini 8-Max |
$11 |
1147 |
$11,470 |
"Focus_wow44" |
$1,246.24 |
Mon, 29/5 |
Event #17: $12K Mini PKO |
$22 |
702 |
$14,040 |
"Lavraaa" |
$1,970.11 |
Mon, 29/5 |
Event #18: $12K PKO |
$109 |
152 |
$15,200 |
"pivnoypuzec" |
$2,514.04 |
Tues, 30/5 |
Event #19: $200K Mystery Bounty 8-Max |
$160 |
1409 |
$200,000 |
"Scholomance" |
$18,996.26 |
Tues, 30/5 |
Event #20: $12K 8-Max Mini |
$55 |
212 |
$12,000 |
"NothingElseM" |
$2,610 |
Tues, 30/5 |
Event #21: $15K 8-Max Grand |
$320 |
74 |
$22,200 |
"Fighta07" |
$7,312.50 |
Wed, 31/5 |
Event #22: $12K Super KO 8-Max Mini |
$22 |
575 |
$12,000 |
"Paulo_Pedros" |
$1,317.66 |
Wed, 31/5 |
Event #23: $12K Super KO 8-Max |
$109 |
128 |
$12,800 |
"sezon1th" |
$2,318 |
Thurs, 1/6 |
Event #24: $6K PKO 6-Max Mini |
$5.50 |
966 |
$6,000 |
"LynxyyCS" |
$913.03 |
Thurs, 1/6 |
Event #25: $15K PKO 6-Max |
$320 |
59 |
$17,700 |
"samsungas" |
$5,734.12 |
Fri, 2/6 |
Event #26: $12K PKO Turbo Deep 8-Max Mini |
$22 |
562 |
$12,000 |
"Comsa1" |
$1,773.03 |
Fri, 2/6 |
Event #27: $12K PKO Turbo Deep 8-Max |
$109 |
135 |
$13,500 |
"TimbaSlive19" |
$3,816.25 |
Sun, 4/6 |
Event #28: $35K Mystery Bounty 8-Max |
$55 |
617 |
$35,000 |
"hickclac2.0" |
$4,276.55 |
Sun, 4/6 |
Event #29: $25K Mystery Bounty 8-Max Mini |
$22 |
1266 |
$25,320 |
"MoneyHungryy" |
$2,941.43 |
Mon, 5/6 |
Event #31: $15K After Party |
$109 |
164 |
$16,400 |
"Falouss333" |
$3,813 |
Mon, 5/6 |
Event #32: $500K Main Event Mystery |
$250 |
1821 |
$500,000 |
"lxiltxZtKQn" |
$38,263.38 |