XL Winter Smashes GTD Awarding Over $2 Million with $546K Main Event!

888poker’s first major online series of 2022 wrapped up on January 31. The XL Winter Series, which had kicked off two weeks earlier, featured 44 events with more than $1.5 million in guarantees.

When all was said and done, 35,936 combined entrants competed over 44 tournaments, which had buy-ins ranging from $16.50 up to $320, and $2,043,810 in prize money was awarded.

It was an international affair with titles won by players from all over the world, though it was the Russian contingent claiming the most with eight.

Here’s a country breakdown:

• Russia = 8
• Ukraine = 8
• Germany = 5
• United Kingdom = 4
• Brazil = 4
• Belarus = 4
• Ireland = 2
• Sweden = 2
• Malta = 2
• Canada = 1
• Mexico = 1
• Finland = 1
• Turkmenistan = 1
• Lithuania = 1
• Latvia = 1

XL Winter Main Event Surpasses $500K Guarantee!

This past weekend, the series culminated with a $250 buy-in, $500,000 GTD Main Event. That tournament attracted 1,981 unique players who rebought 345 times. Those numbers created a 2,326-entry field and surpassed the guarantee by creating a prize pool worth $546,610!

That was reserved for the top 320 finishers, and among those to cash after “ctopacios” bubbled in 321^st place were the following –

• “iBustYa888” (266^th - $655.93)
• “xFink_Playdx” (142^nd - $819.91)
• Niklas “tutten7” Åstedt (127^th - $819.91)
• “chazcombes” (73^rd - $1,038.55)
• Johannes “TrollKonst8” Korsar (45^th - $1,366.52)
• 888poker Ambassador Vivian “Vivi.888.” Saliba (25^th - $1,694.49)
• Final table bubble “Reggie_Degen” (10^th - $4,646.18)

With nine players remaining, action was halted for a Monday final table finale. It was live-streamed complete with commentary from David Tuchman and Nick Wealthall. Day 2 proved to be a quick affair as it took less than two hours of play for a winner to emerge.

A familiar face at the final table was Irishman Dara “Doked” O’Kearney, who bowed out in seventh place. He shoved with the K♣Q♥ and failed to win a flip against the pocket jacks of “sergebezb”. The other known player at the final table was the United Kingdom’s Stephen “Steve00085” Burt, who followed O’Kearney out the door in sixth place. He got unlucky with ace-nine suited against the ten-nine of “bloodny”, all-in preflop.

The final two players were both from Russia and things came to a head in Level 51 (400,000/800,000/100,000). “bloodny” raised holding the 10♣10♠ and was met by a three-bet by “D.Bogachev”, who had the K♥J♦.

A four-bet jam was followed by a call and it was off to the races. A 9♦J♠7♥K♣4♣ runout gave “D.Bogachev” two pair and sent “bloodny” to the rail in second place for $51,709.

“D.Bogachev”, who has been playing on 888poker since 2013, followed in the footsteps of fellow countryman “Kazi070486". He won the XL Winter Main Event in 2021, albeit for a smaller $60,862 top prize.

“D.Bogachev” took home a juicer $71,279, which wasn’t too shabby. His average tournament buy-in is only $1.50. Definitely a Cinderella story for the Russian – one of several on 888poker over the many years they have been in operation. And it's even more fitting a win as 888poker celebrates their 20^th anniversary.

XL Winter Main Event Final Table Results

1^st – “D.Bogachev” (Russia) … $71,278

2^nd – “bloodny” (Russia) … $51,709

3^rd – “chrissop14” (United Kingdom) … $37,443

4^th – “sergebezb” (Estonia) … $27,331

5^th – “alexos888” (Canada) … $20,115

6^th – Stephen “Steve00085” Burt (United Kingdom) … $14,758

7^th – Dara “Doked” O’Kearney (Ireland) … $10,932

8^th – “Eg1D1” (Lithuania) … $8,144

9^th – “Marcmks16” (Sweden) … $6,122

In the final tournament of the series, the $33 buy-in Event #44: $50,000 Mini Main Event attracted 1,585 players who rebought 505 times. The 2,090-entry field resulted in a $62,700 prize pool and saw the final two players agree to a chop.

As a part of it, “kidoc101” took second for $7,276.52 while Russia’s “Savchenko1” took the title and $7,702.51 in prize money.

Ian Simpioni Simpson Nabs an XL Winter Title

On Monday, January 24, the $88 buy-in Event #25: $25,000 8-Max had 329 players rebuy 100 times to easily surpass the guarantee by generating a $34,320 prize pool.

That was paid out to the top 48 finishers including the following –

• “Brunsonskid” (29^th place - $233.37)
• “sheeeeeeeeet” (22^nd place - $332.90)
• “BeethOver” (13^th place - $463.32)
• “midein” (6^th place - $1,287)
• “MaxChe” (3^rd place - $3,689.40)

After 8 hours and 22 minutes of play, it was well-known UK poker player Ian “Simpioni” Simpson defeating Brazil’s “vireiadulto7” to win the title and $6,606.76.

XL Winter Event #25 Final Table Results

1^st – Ian “Simpioni” Simpson (United Kingdom) … $6,606.76

2^nd – “vireiadulto7” (Brazil) … $4,890.60

3^rd – “MaxChe” (Russia) … $3,689.40

4^th – “peledazmogis” (Lithuania) … $2,659.80

5^th – “MyNumber7” (Lithuania) … $1,801.80

6^th – “midein” (Germany) … $1,287

7^th – “Neeno1990” (N/A) … $943.80

8^th – “GetALifeSon” (Sweden) … $772.20

Also, on Monday, Ukraine’s “NakedNaked” topped a 431-entry field to win Event #26: $15,000 Mini 8-Max for $3,318.86

While the $22 buy-in Event #27: $10,000 Late 8-Max ended when the final five players in the 487-entry field worked a deal.

That arrangement ultimately saw “AlejandroArr” come out on top for $1,389.12.

UK’s SeT4x4 Survives Niklas tutten7 Åstedt Heads-Up

On Tuesday, January 25, the $320 buy-in Event #28: $50,000 PKO surpassed its guarantee as 174 players rebought 34 times to create a $62,400 prize pool. That was split between the regular and bounty pools with the top 30 finishers getting a piece of the former.

Among those to cash were the following players –

• Justin “LappyPoker” Lapka (24^th place for $358.80 + $225 in bounties)
• “billycadu14” (18^th place for $361.92 + $225 in bounties)
• “cherrywine” (13^th place for $365.04 + $581.25 in bounties)
• “Hover” (7^th place for $982.80 + $965.63 in bounties)
• “KemperEd” (3^rd place for $3,566.16 + $1,214.07 in bounties)

Both Sweden’s Niklas “tutten7” Åstedt and the UK’s “SeT4x4” locked up $5,993.52 in prize money by virtue of making it to heads-up play. Awaiting the winner was a $7,410.90 PKO bounty.

The Swede is largely considered the best online poker tournament player in the world. But on this day “SeT4x4” would not be denied as they emerged victorious to earn a total payday of $13,404.42.

XL Winter Event #28 Final Table Results

1^st – “SeT4x4” (United Kingdom) … $13,404.42

2^nd – Niklas “tutten7” Åstedt (Sweden) … $9,302.90

3^rd – “KemperEd” (Belarus) … $4,780.23

4^th – “BigBen420” (Germany) … $2,564.64

5^th – “nackaskog66” (Sweden) … $2,215.77

6^th – “Oldnall” (United Kingdom) … $2,800.97

7^th – “Hover” (Belarus) … $1,948.43

8^th – “Santamaycry” (Ukraine) … $1,523.85

9^th – “kaka163” (Sweden) … $2,102.29

In other Tuesday action, Germany’s “DazD2812” topped a 647-entry field (536 unique + 111 re-entries) to win Event #29: $25,000 Mini PKO for $5,025.

Ireland’s “xxBanioNxx” navigated a 192-entry field (172 unique + 20 re-entries) to claim the Event #30: $20,000 Late PKO for $3,853.

While you’re here, check out this recap video from the XL Winter $200K Tune Up –

Full List of 2022 XL Winter Series Winners

Date	Tournament	Buy-In	Total Entries	Prize Pool	Winner	Country	Prize
Sunday, January 16	Event #1: $100,000 Opening Event	$55	2,311	$115,550	Ildar0365	Turkmenistan	$15,068
Sunday, January 16	Event #2: $20,000 Mini Opening Event	$16.50	1,459	$21,885	Pavanatto23	Brazil	$3,198.21
Sunday, January 16	Event #3: $15,000 Late Opening	$33	667	$20,010	geniuspoker	Germany	$3,462.23
Monday, January 17	Event #4: $30,000  PKO 6-Max	$88	613	$49,040	barabanrapan	Ukraine	$8,439.43
Monday, January 17	Event #5: $20,000  Mini PKO 6-Max	$44	762	$30,480	GrbmBDPzzY	Germany	$5,215.34
Monday, January 17	Event #6: $10,000  Late PKO 6-Max	$22	784	$15,680	Alboz83	United Kingdom	$2,338.66
Tuesday, January 18	Event #7: $30,000  Freezeout	$215	188	$37,600	KemperEd	Belarus	$7,982.48
Tuesday, January 18	Event #8: $20,000  Mini Freezeout	$55	492	$24,600	SleekFathr	Belarus	$4,255.80
Tuesday, January 18	Event #9: $15,000  Late Freezeout	$109	136	$13,600	_zarkou_	Finland	$3,162
Wednesday, January 19	Event #10: $30,000  PKO	$109	472	$47,200	Mrothdeel	Belarus	$7,538.09
Wednesday, January 19	Event #11: $15,000  Mini PKO	$16.50	1446	$21,690	ArgoValeron	Russia	$2,876.95
Wednesday, January 19	Event #12: $10,000  Late PKO	$33	601	$18,030	shtirlits93	Russia	$2,579.65
Thursday, January 20	Event #13: $40,000  PKO 8-Max	$160	382	$57,300	esicer	Russia	$9,172.41
Thursday, January 20	Event #14: $20,000  Mini PKO 8-Max	$55	640	$32,000	V.F.A	Brazil	$4,667.30
Thursday, January 20	Event #15: $10,000  Late PKO 8-Max	$22	739	$14,780	obwan77	United Kingdom	$1,786.55
Friday, January 21	Event #16: $30,000  DeepStack	$55	745	$37,250	Ilikepugs	Sweden	$6,444.54
Friday, January 21	Event #17: $15,000 Mini DeepStack	$16.50	1315	$19,725	kazan4ik	Sweden	$2,882.32
Friday, January 21	Event #18: $10,000  Late DeepStack	$33	435	$13,050	Stothekyo	Germany	$2,517.50
Saturday, January 22	Event #19: $30,000  6-Max	$109	420	$42,000	Ishortl	Ukraine	$9,240
Saturday, January 22	Event #20: $15,000  Mini 6-Max	$16.50	1317	$19,755	anonymous.R	Canada	$2,926.08
Saturday, January 22	Event #21: $15,000  Late 6-Max	$55	356	$17,800	AlexRita1	United Kingdom	$3,916
Sunday, January 23	Event #22: $200,000  Tune Up	$109	1859	$200,000	Farrugia_1	Malta	$22,077.83
Sunday, January 23	Event #23: $20,000  Mini Tune Up	$16.50	1,475	$22,125	ttizovaca	Brazil	$3,232.96
Sunday, January 23	Event #24: $15,000  Late Tune Up	$33	635	$19,050	madoAligator	Russia	$3,295.94
Monday, January 24	Event #25: $25,000  8-Max	$88	429	$34,320	Ian Simpson "Simpioni"	United Kingdom	$6,606.76
Monday, January 24	Event #26: $15,000  Mini 8-Max	$44	431	$17,240	NakedNaked	Ukraine	$3,318.86
Monday, January 24	Event #27: $10,000  Late 8-Max	$22	487	$10,000	AlejandroArr	Mexico	$1,389.12
Tuesday, January 25	Event #28: $50,000  PKO	$320	208	$62,400	SeT4x4	United Kingdom	$13,404.42
Tuesday, January 25	Event #29: $25,000  Mini PKO	$55	647	$32,350	DazD2812	Germany	$5,025.33
Tuesday, January 25	Event #30: $20,000  Late PKO	$109	192	$20,000	xxBanioNxx	Ireland	$3,852.90
Wednesday, January 26	Event #31: $30,000 PKO 8-Max	$109	434	$43,400	ilyukevich21	Belarus	$8,227.28
Wednesday, January 26	Event #32: $15,000  Mini PKO 8-Max	$16.50	1343	$20,145	neumi2000pla	Germany	$3,047.65
Wednesday, January 26	Event #33: $10,000  Late PKO 8-Max	$33	546	$16,380	luxinead	Russia	$2,523.24
Thursday, January 27	Event #34: $40,000  PKO 6-Max	$215	279	$55,800	Paulada85	Brazil	$10,033.44
Thursday, January 27	Event #35: $20,000  Mini PKO 6-Max	$55	626	$31,300	damourinio10	Malta	$5,381.20
Thursday, January 27	Event #36: $10,000  Late PKO 6-Max	$22	750	$15,000	_SNS_	Ukraine	$2,890.89
Friday, January 28	Event #37: $30,000  DeepStack	$55	673	$33,650	argintina	Lithuania	$5,821.74
Friday, January 28	Event #38: $15,000  Mini DeepStack	$16.50	1328	$19,920	kmanadek	Ireland	$2,910.93
Friday, January 28	Event #39: $10,000  Late DeepStack	$33	406	$12,180	Collaps04	Ukraine	$2,349.74
Saturday, January 29	Event #40: $40,000  Knockout	$109	591	$59,100	Viljam1986	Ukraine	$7,943.56
Saturday, January 29	Event #41: $15,000  Mini Knockout	$16.50	1541	$23,115	Tighterinho	Latvia	$2,500.81
Saturday, January 29	Event #42: $15,000  Late Knockout	$55	360	$18,000	To4Ho_He_Pro	Russia	$2,766.65
Sunday, January 30	Event #43: $500,000  Main Event	$250	2326	$546,610	D.Bogachev	Russia	$71,279.19
Sunday, January 30	Event #44: $50,000  Mini Main Event	$33	2,090	$62,700	Savchenko1	Russia	$7,702.51