Romanian poker player “amormori” turned a modest $25 buy-in into an impressive $9,158, claiming victory in the $100,000 XL Winter #45 – Mystery Bounty Mini Event. But the biggest single payout of the event went to Mexico’s “MuyB1eN,” who, despite finishing in 63rd place, walked away with $10,093.81 after landing the jackpot mystery bounty.
Unexpected Jackpot Changes the Game
Winning a tournament is typically the most lucrative path to the biggest payday, but not this time. “amormori” may have outlasted 4,674 opponents, but it was “MuyB1eN” who truly hit the jackpot—literally. The Mexican player exited the event in 63rd place with just $93.81 in standard winnings. But thanks to the mystery bounty format, they pocketed an additional $10,000, securing the single largest payout of the event.
On the final table, eight players locked in at least a four-figure payday from a prize pool that surged past its guarantee, reaching $105,187. Romania, Brazil, Germany, and the UK were all represented in the top spots.
Final Table Results Show Wild Prize Variance
The final table saw a wide spread in winnings, with players benefiting from mystery bounty payouts that shifted the earnings landscape dramatically. Here’s a look at the top finishers:
Rank | Player | Country | Bounties | Prize | Total Prize |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | amormori | Romania | $2,754 | $6,403 | $9,158 |
2 | fishinbear | UK | $54 | $4,569 | $4,624 |
3 | Naik10 | Brazil | $2,240 | $3,261 | $5,502 |
4 | DXforce | Romania | $154 | $2,345 | $2,500 |
5 | Amup88 | Germany | $4,036 | $1,699 | $5,736 |
6 | MarioDutraJR | Brazil | $72 | $1,236 | $1,308 |
7 | IOwnU888 | – | $181 | $910 | $1,092 |
8 | geangr | Brazil | $1,136 | $673 | $1,809 |
Brazil’s “geangr” was the first final table casualty, collecting $1,809. “IOwnU888” followed in seventh with $1,092, and “MarioDutraJR” exited in sixth with $1,308. Germany’s “Amup88” claimed one of the two $4,000 mystery bounties, pushing their total payout to $5,736 despite finishing in fifth place.
Main Event Promises Seven-Figure Payouts Despite Overlay
While the Mini Event wrapped up, the highly anticipated $1 million guaranteed XL Winter Mystery Bounty Main Event was heating up. The tournament saw 1,175 entries, falling just short of covering its guarantee, resulting in a $30,000 overlay—a rare opportunity for players to get added value.
Some key figures stood out as the tournament played down to its final table:
- Denmark’s “Slikkelade” secured the event’s $100,000 mystery jackpot bounty, instantly making them one of the biggest winners of the series.
- Chip leader “Kellerrr69” has a commanding 108 big blind stack, nearly double that of any other finalist.
- Final table action resumes at 7:00 p.m. GMT on January 28, with live coverage available on the 888poker Twitch channel.
Final Table Chip Counts Paint a Clear Picture
The final eight players have their eyes set on a potential six-figure payday. Here’s where they stand heading into the last stage:
Rank | Player | Country | Chips | Big Blinds |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kellerrr69 | – | 3,763,872 | 108 |
2 | wellyxx | Finland | 1,916,067 | 55 |
3 | Slikkelade | Denmark | 1,539,314 | 44 |
4 | Armeniashka | Armenia | 1,442,159 | 41 |
5 | hardc0reee | Canada | 1,061,131 | 30 |
6 | GodBleefe7 | Brazil | 907,552 | 26 |
7 | Hxs87 | Romania | 555,925 | 16 |
8 | Kzzzon | Sweden | 263,980 | 8 |
The clear favorite is “Kellerrr69,” who not only holds the biggest stack but has already secured over $21,293 in mystery bounty prizes.
The Final Day’s Schedule Is Packed With Action
The XL Winter Series wraps up on January 28, but not before a flurry of events give players one last shot at a major score. Here’s what’s left on the schedule:
- 4:00 p.m. GMT: $12,000 GTD Mystery Bounty Mini Event ($16.50 buy-in)
- 5:00 p.m. GMT: $15,000 GTD High Roller Special ($320 buy-in)
- 6:00 p.m. GMT: $20,000 GTD Mystery Bounty Event ($55 buy-in)
- 6:00 p.m. GMT: $12,000 GTD Big Shot Special ($109 buy-in)
- 7:00 p.m. GMT: $1M GTD Main Event Final Table
Poker enthusiasts still have plenty of opportunities to grab a slice of the action before the series officially comes to a close. With big prizes still on the table, the XL Winter Series is set for a thrilling finish.