PokerNews Online Championship Awards Nearly $1.2 Million in Prize Money!

The PokerNews Online Championship on 888poker kicked off on Sunday, February 25. It featured various tournament formats including mystery bounties, PKOs, and Turbos with buy-ins starting as low as $5.50.

The 43-event schedule offered more than $1 million in guaranteed prize pools. When things wrapped on March 5 the series had catered to a combined 27,556 entrants and awarded $1,190,234 in prize money.

• Brazilian players absolutely crushed the series capturing 13 titles!
• The next closest with five was Romania.
• Ukraine and the United Kingdom notched four apiece.
• Meanwhile, Lithuania, Kazakhstan, Denmark, and Argentina were all on the board with two.
• And lone titles went to players from Belarus, Finland, Turkmenistan, Germany, Canada, Malta, and Croatia.

In other news, there was only a single two-time champ from the series - Lithuania’s “cups951”. On Sunday, March 3, they topped a 349-entry field to win the $109 buy-in Event #33: $30,000 The PKO Rumble for $8,176.11

Two days later on the final day of the series, they bested a 165-entry field to take down the $109 buy-in Event #43: $12,000 Closing Event PKO for $3,512.04.

Here are other highlights from the past week of the PokerNews Online Championship.

Big Winners in 2024 PokerNews Online Championship Main Event

Day 1s for the $215 buy-in, $300K GTD Mystery Bounty Main Event started at the beginning of the series and attracted 1,414 players who rebought 213 times. The 1,627-entry field surpassed the guarantee by generating a $325,400 prize pool that included a top bounty of $30,000.

Brazil’s “Dangerzinn” took the top bounty, finishing in 16^th place for $1,087.48. Along with $105.63 in other bounties the Brazilian player walked away with a tournament-high $31,193.11.

On Monday’s Day 2, 264 players returned to action though only 180 of them were slated to make the money. Some of them to capture big bounties were the following players:

• “enarGhO” (12^th place for $1,876.78 + $12,316.89 in bounties)
• “pokanuktus” (50^th place for $491.12 + $6,633.78 in bounties)
• “Sheglov” (73^rd place for $420.96 + $4,500 in bounties)
• “Thyrone” (79^th place for $420.96 + $9,211.26 in bounties)

Another player to cash was PokerNews Ambassador Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson. He finished in 25^th place for $684.06 plus $2,011.26 in bounties for a total payday of $2,695.32.

 According to PokerNews Live Updates of the tournament, Robinson fell in Level 31 (8,000/16,000) after raising to 144,000 from early position and leaving just 12,248 behind. He called off this remaining amount after “AKGambit” moved all-in from the small blind.

Robinson had the 9♦8♦ and was looking to get lucky against the Q♠Q♥ of his opponent. The 2♦4♦2♥ flop gave him a sweat with a diamond flush draw, but neither the 8♥ turn nor 9♣ river completed it.

Robinson wound up with two pair eights and nines. But “AKGambit” had a better two pair with queens and deuces.

The final table of eight went on an overnight hiatus with Mexico’s “scheeescheee” and their stack of 3,051,520 leading the pack. A pair of Romanian players in “RazvyB” (2,872,759) and “bucurestean” (2,665,882) sat in second and third place, respectively.

Brazilians “aziz.Mancha” (2,536,063) and “betsoares” (2,461,804) were fourth and fifth respectively.

Rounding out the final table lineup were the short stacks in Germany’s “AKGambit” (1,203,674) and Lithuanian players “dainuciuks” (772,446) and “EstorilBlue” (705,852).

The final table was live-streamed on 888pokerTV Twitch channel on Tuesday, March 5, and it took approximately three hours for a winner to emerge.

Despite starting the final table with the chip lead, “scheeescheee” fell in sixth place after getting short and shoving with the J♠10♠. Brazil’s “betsoares” called with the A♥4♠ and the board ran out 5♥4♣2♦Q♠Q♦ to send “scheeescheee” out the door. While it was no doubt a disappointing finish, the player from Mexico had $13,922.52 in bounties to help ease the pain.

The aforementioned “betsoares” made it to heads-up play against “RazvyB” with about a 3:2 chip disadvantage. The final hand of the tournament took place in Level 47 (150,000/300,000). “betsoares” moved all-in for just over 1.5 million with the 9♥7♦ only to get called and pipped by the 9♠8♠.

The Q♦4♦9♦ gave “betsoares” a flush draw, but the 2♣ bricked on the turn followed by the 6♥ on the river.

With that, “betsoares” had to settle for second place and $18,732.72, while “RazvyB” claimed the title, $25,625.94 in prize money, and an additional $2,208.15 in prize money for a total payout of $27,654.09.

Event #39 Final Table Results

1. “RazvyB” (Romania) … $25,625.94 + $2,028.15 in bounties = $27,654.09
2. “betsoares” (Brazil) … $18,732.72 + $633.78 in bounties = $19,366.50
3. “dainuciuks” (Lithuania) … $13,768.90 + $3,211.26 in bounties = $16,980.16
4. “bucurestean” (Romania) … $10,120.58 + $15,984.45 in bounties = $26,105.03
5. “AKGambit” (Germany) … $7,489.58 + $933.78 in bounties = $8,423.36
6. “scheeescheee” (Mexico) … $5,577.72 + $13,922.52 in bounties = $19,500.24
7. “aziz.Mancha” (Brazil) … $4,192.06 + $1,322.52 in bounties = $5,514.58
8. “EstoriiBlue” (Lithuania) … $3,174.74 + $633.78 in bounties = $3,808.52

Action-Packed PKO Tournaments on Monday

Monday, February 26 was PKO day in the PokerNews Online Championship as four tournaments in the format crowned winners. It started when Brazil’s “GemeValter” topped an 1,111-entry field (815 players who rebought 296 times) to win the $11 buy-in Event #6: $10,000 PKO Mini for $1,884.90

Then the UK’s “jetskii” bested a 497-entry field (400 players who rebought 97 times) to win the $33 buy-in Event #7: $10,000 PKO Mid for $2,232.05.

In the $55 buy-in Event #8: $12,000 PKO, 239 players rebought 44 times, which resulted in the 283-entry field creating a $14,150 prize pool. Kazakhstan’s “Sosika” wound up as the last player standing to claim a $2,372.69 top prize and the second title for his country in as many days.

As for the $109 buy-in Event #9: $12,000 PKO High, 142 players rebought 27 times to surpass the guarantee as the 169-entry field generated a $16,900 prize pool. The top 24 finishers made the money including the following –

• 888poker Stream Team’s Aaron “abarone68” Barone (20^th place for $105.62 + $117.19 in bounties)
• “Proosty” (14^th place for $147.87 + $95.31 in bounties)
• “KellerA” (9^th place for $190.12 + $75 in bounties)
• “andybooo9” (3^rd place for $1,014 + $246.09 in bounties)

The final two players each locked up $1,573.39 by virtue of making it to heads-up play. But awaiting the winner of the match was a $1,952.13 PKO bounty.

After nearly seven hours of play, it was Brazil’s “michel.mica” defeating Sweden’s “Lahdo15” to win the tournament for a total of $3,526.45 in prize money.

Event #9 Final Table Results

1. “michel.mica” (Brazil) … $1,574.32 + $1,952.13 in bounties = $3,526.45
2. “Lahdo15” (Sweden) … $1,573.39 + $687.31 in bounties = $2,260.70
3. “andybooo9” (Denmark) … $1,014 + $246.09 in bounties = $1,260.09
4. “HecticMulk” (United Kingdom) … $718.25 + $310.54 in bounties = $1,028.79
5. “d5t6y7” (United Kingdom) … $464.75 + $50 in bounties = $514.75
6. “Elprinter147” (United Kingdom) … $380.25 + $292.19 in bounties = $672.44
7. “Dimka91111” (Ukraine) … $295.75 + $237.50 in bounties = $533.25
8. “poBHblu” (Ukraine) … $232.37 + $178.91 in bounties = $411.28
9. “KellerA” (Germany) … $190.12 + $75 in bounties = $265.12

Romania’s ingeruRO14 Victorious in PKO 6-Max High Roller

On Tuesday, February 27, the $320 buy-in Event #11: $15,000 PKO 6-Max High Roller attracted 46 players who rebought a dozen times. The 58-entry field surpassed the guarantee by generating a $17,400 prize pool. Some of those to earn bounties but fall short of “making the money” were “R2Rka” ($281.25), “bucurestean” ($112.50), and “brainiac1” ($112.50), to name a few.

Among those to make the money but fall short of the final table were the following –

• “ION0002” (7^th place for $348 + $337.50 in bounties)
• PokerNews Ambassador Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson (8^th place for $348 + $525 in bounties)
• “sankovski” (9^th place for $348 + $262.50 in bounties)

The final two players – Romania’s “ingeruRO14” and Brazil’s “daltonhb” – each locked up $2,175 in prize money, but awaiting the winner of their heads-up match was a $3,515.62 PKO bounty.

After 5 hours and 34 minutes, the Romanian prevailed to win a total of $5,690.62 in prize money.

Event #11 Final Table Results

1. “ingeruRO14” (Romania) … $2,175 + $3,515.62 in bounties = $5,690.62
2. “daltonhb” (Brazil) … $2,175 + $1,246.88 in bounties = $3,421.88
3. “scheeescheee” (Mexico) … $1,305 + $506.25 in bounties = $1,811.25
4. “PlumpySouyon” (Malta) … $870 + $637.50 in bounties = $1,507.50
5. “LeoJoseCarne” (Brazil) … $652.50 + $0 in bounties = $652.50
6. “Kalzoo” (United Kingdom) … $478.50 + $0 in bounties = $478.50

In other Tuesday action, “888BIDO” topped a 262-entry field (200 unique players plus 62 re-entries) to win the $55 buy-in Event #12: $12,000 PKO 6-Max Mid for $3,068.05

Canada’s “algsxr” took down the $109 buy-in Event #13: $12,000 PKO 6-Max after topping a 135-entry field (106 unique players plus 29 re-entries) for $3,231.42.

Finally, Ukraine’s “Fishmir” bested a 928-entry field (675 unique players plus 253 re-entries) to win the $11 buy-in Event #10: $10,000 PKO 6-Max Mini.

pincha73 Represents Argentina in $15,000 Super KO High Roller

On Thursday, February 29, the $320 buy-in Event #18: $15,000 Super KO High Roller drew 54 players who rebought 9 times to create a 63-entry field and $18,900 prize pool. Some players to claim bounties but fail to make the money were “cherrywine” ($150), “Panxetillo” ($450), and “paulinhoo00” ($450).

The top 12 finishers made the money including –

• “IOwnU888” (12^th place for $236.25 + $300 in bounties)
• “GrimmLTU” (7^th place for $406.35 + $750 in bounties)
• Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson (5^th place for $661.50 + $600 in bounties)
• “algsxr” (3^rd place for $1,247.40 + $1,050 in bounties)

After 6 hours and 25 minutes of play, it was Argentina’s “pincha73” who defeated Brazil’s “Escabofildo” in heads-up play to win a $2,646.01 first-place prize plus $1,200 in bounties for a total payday of $3,846.01.

Event #18 Final Table Results

1. “pincha73” (Argentina) … $2,646.01 + $1,200 in bounties = $3,846.01
2. “Escabofildo” (Brazil) … $1,767.15 + $600 in bounties = $2,367.15
3. “algsxr” (Canada) … $1,247.40 + $1,050 in bounties = $2,297.40
4. “PotofGreed” (Malta) … $907.20 + $150 in bounties = $1,057.20
5. Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson (Malta) … $661.50 + $600 in bounties = $1,261.50
6. “xxbassexx” (Denmark) … $496.12 + $450 in bounties = $946.12
7. “GrimmLTU” (United Kingdom) … $406.35 + $740 in bounties = $1,156.35
8. “33betwizkid” (United Kingdom) … $335.47 + $300 in bounties = $635.47
9. “7betAA” (Brazil) … $274.05 + $150 in bounties = $424.05

Another big tournament on Thursday was the $109 buy-in Event #19: $12,000 Super KO, which saw 146 players rebuy 40 times.

The 186-entry field resulted in a $18,600 prize pool and saw Brazil’s “Nowitzki_41” come out on top to the tune of $2,724.39.

Friday Action Dominated by Brazilian Players

On Friday, March 1, five more events played out, and all were won by players from South America. In fact, all the winners hailed from Brazil except for the $11 buy-in Event #21: $10,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Mini, which was won by Argentina’s “Trabuca” for $1,529.24.

In the $5.50 buy-in Event #22: $5,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Micro, Brazil’s “Bazinga888” topped a 1,052-entry field (702 unique players plus 350 re-entries) to win $529.03.

Fellow countryman “paitaon” bested 690 entrants (494 unique players plus 196 re-entries) to win the $22 buy-in Event #23: $10,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max Mid for $2,059.10.

Additionally, “DOPABR” navigated a 168-entry field (148 unique players plus 20 re-entries) to win the $11 buy-in Event #25: $2,000 Cut to the Chase for $448.40.

Finally, the big tournament of the day was the $109 buy-in Event #24: $12,000 Mystery Bounty 6-Max, which attracted 142 players who rebought 50 times. The 192-entry field surpassed the guarantee by offering up a $19,200 prize pool.

And after 7 hours and 36 minutes of play it was Brazil’s “betsoares” finishing as the last player standing to win $3,168 plus $490.40 in bounties for a total payday of $3,658.40.

Event #24 Final Table Results

1. “betsoares” (Brazil) … $3,168 + $490.40 in bounties = $3,658.40
2. “unicom61” (Germany) … $2,184.60 + $240 in bounties = $2,424.60
3. “NightNugg” (United Kingdom) … $1,650 + $652.32 in bounties = $2,302.32
4. “konvlo” (Ukraine) … $1,122 + $464.32 in bounties = $1,586.32
5. “Klus76” (N/A) … $858 + $412.16 in bounties = $1,270.16
6. “33betwizkid” (United Kingdom) … $594 + $52.16 in bounties = $646.16
7. “Tttrrx” (Romania) … $396 + $2,040 in bounties = $2,436
8. “KellerA” (Germany) … $396 + $360 in bounties = $756
9. “1PPEneus1” (United Kingdom) … $396 + $0 in bounties = $396

UK’s casual_win Takes Down 2^nd High Roller of the Series

The second $525 buy-in High Roller tournament of the series took place on Sunday, March 3. Event #34: $40,000 The PKO Rumble High Roller saw 58 players rebuy 9 times. The 67-entry field saw the top 12 finishers got a piece of the $40,000 prize pool.

Among those to compete but fall short of a cash were Lukas “RobinPoker.” Robinson, “wellyxx”, “pactamah23”, “scheeescheee”, and bubble “heeyalisson”.

After Montenegro’s “Rschak” bowed out in third place for $3,255 plus $968.75 in bounties, the final two players locked up $5,317.27 in prize money but battled for a juicy $4,949.21 PKO bounty.

After 6 hours and 12 minutes of play, it was the United Kingdom’s “casual_win” defeating Brazil’s “KaizenStyle” in heads-up play to win the tournament for $10,268.85.

Event #34 Final Table Results

1. “casual_win” (United Kingdom) … $5,319.64 + $4,949.21 in bounties = $10,268.85
2. “KaizenStyle” (Brazil) … $5,317.27 + $2,855.47 in bounties = $8,172.74
3. “Rschak” (Montenegro) … $3,255 + $968.75 in bounties = $4,223.75
4. “Mettessen” (N/A) … $2,208.75 + $125 in bounties = $2,333.75
5. “CheersMates” (Canada) … $1,627.50 + $1,867.19 in bounties = $3,494.69
6. “GoodStoryDMG” (Moldova) … $1,220.62 + $250 in bounties = $1,470.62
7. “dariotoma” (Malta) … $988.12 + $0 in bounties = $988.12
8. “MustangMach4” (Germany) … $755.62 + $250 in bounties = $1,005.62
9. “fanatmalini” (Montenegro) … $639.37 + $1,171.88 in bounties = $1,811.25

PokerNews Online Championship Winners – Complete List