Welcome to 888poker’s Weekly Deal, with all the best news, results and insights from the past week.
THIS WEEK: July 23, 2017
Jonathan Van Fleet Denied Whale Title by “ribamech15”
The biggest buy-in event of the weekend, the $1,050 Whale, surpassed its guarantee by $30K as 108 players accounted for 42 rebuys to create a $150,000 prize pool. Among the 15 players to earn part of it were “S.Janowski” (15th for $3,150), “mvp2b” (6th for $7,875), “Imyurfriend” (4th for $13,875), and “luckyr1ver” (4th for $13,875).
After nearly nine hours, it was Russia’s “ribamech15” who prevailed over Canada’s Jonathan “chut_up” Van Fleet to win $37,500. It marked the second win in seven weeks for “ribamech15,” who on June 2 won the Crocodile for $3,300.
“Nikas3274” Wins Monsoon for Second Time in Six Weeks
The $55 buy-in, $20,000 guarantee Monsoon attracted 487 players and created a $24,350 prize pool. Some of the 63 players to cash were “Mr.Fonzi” (39th for 121.75), “T.NAPOLEAO” (15th for $243.50), Anton “B.Mitchell” Wigg (5th for $1,339.25), and “vitola99” (4th for $1,899.30).
After seven hours and 21 minutes, the tournament came down to Germany’s “durrrrchfall” and Russia’s “Nikas3274,” and it was the latter who prevailed to claim a $4,626 prize. It marked the second time in less than two months that “Nikas3274” won the Monsoon, having done so on June 8 by topping a field of 299 players for $2,673.
“gioriz” Wins Turbo Mega Deep
The $215 buy-in Turbo Mega Deep attracted 138 players who accounted for 54 rebuys, which surpassed the $30K GTD by creating a $38,400 prize pool. Among the 18 players to get paid were Sweden’s Robin “Inho” Ylitalo (17th for $787.20), “Annyjar” (11th for $864), “floatmasta” (7th for $1,536), and Anton “B.Mitchell” Wigg (4th for $3,456), who was at his second major final table of the day.
Given it was a turbo event, it took “gioriz”, just over four hours to take down the $8,832 first-place prize.
“kiskutya23” Rides a Lightning Bolt
On Sunday, the $109 buy-in Sunday Lightning drew 168 players who accounted for 108 rebuys. That surpassed the advertised $20,000 guarantee by creating a $27,600 prize pool, which was distributed among the top 24 finishers. Among those to cash were XL Inferno Event #155 champ “Fukuruku” (19th for 262.20), “MacGyver888” (11th for $483), and “prebzzz” (5th for $1,794).
After seven hours and 43 minutes of play, “kiskutya23” bested “GramNaKartke” in heads-up play to capture a top prize of $4,567.80. It was a bit of redemption, or at least a nice score, for “GramNaKartke,” who back in May stone bubbled the XL Inferno $2,100 High Roller. As for “kiskutya23,” it was another win following his March 23rd victory in the 2,000 Super Turbo Swordfish.
Kafrou “Kafrou” Thessaloni Slays Crocodile for Greece
Another tournament that surpassed its guarantee on Sunday was the $160 buy-in Crocodile. Instead of the $25K GTD, a $34,500 prize pool was on tap as 230 players took to the virtual felt. Just 36 players earned a piece of it including “MalakiasCF” (31st for $258.75), the aforementioned “Fukuruku” (27th for $293.25), XL Infernon Mega Deep runner-up “cuadrado12” (6th for $1,552.50), and Brazil’s “R.nahntanoJ” (3rd for $3,898.50).
In the end, Greece’s Kafrou “Kafrou” Thessaloni beat out Sweden’s “IAmWelfare” to win the title and a $7,055.25 first-place prize.
What to watch out for:
The “Champion-Chips” micro series, which features buy-ins ranging from $1-$50, kicked off on Sunday and will host 18 events with $150,000 in guaranteed prize prizes through July 30. Simply look under “Tournaments” to find the “ChampionChips” tab for all events and satellites.