The Weekend Round Up – December 22, 2024
Welcome to this week’s GGPoker Weekend Roundup, where we review all the heart-pounding action from the virtual felt. The weekend was yet again another spectacle of thrilling hands, incredible bluffs, and game-changing stratagems that kept poker fans waiting for more. Whether it was breakout performances by rising stars or veteran players flexing their skills, this weekend showcased everything we love about poker.
A Weekend of Poker Action
The GGPoker tables were buzzing with intensity as players from around the world clashed in a series of events that pushed skill and strategy to the limit. At the center of the action was The Weekender, where the competition was as fierce as the prizes were enticing. Meanwhile, GGPoker’s ongoing holiday promotions brought an added layer of excitement, with $24 million in giveaways creating a massive number of opportunities for players to cash in.
But this weekend wasn’t just about the numbers but the stories behind the wins. From nail-biting river showdowns to improbable comebacks, the poker tables told tales of players digging deep to outwit, outlast, and outplay their competition. It was a celebration of the human spirit and the poker community’s unrelenting drive to embrace challenge and chase greatness.
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty once again brought electrifying Pot-Limit Omaha action to the GGPoker stage, captivating players and fans alike. With a $100,000 guaranteed prize pool and a $54 buy-in, the event saw an impressive 2,066 entries, surpassing its guarantee to create a total prize pool of $102,638.88. The numbers reflected the undeniable passion of the PLO community for this high-paced poker game.
After a series of intense Day 1 flights, 385 players returned for the final showdown, each determined to claim a share of the prize pool and rack up the bounties. A riveting 5-hour and 10-minute battle followed where every hand carried the potential for a bounty payday. Rising above the chaos was ‘XDokholidayX’, who claimed the top spot, pocketing $5,400.80 in prize money and a nice $4,015.66 bonus in bounties after an unforgettable performance.
Finishing second was ‘Pur3WiT’, whose strong run netted $5,398.92 from the main prize pool and $1,704.66 in bounties, cementing their place in the spotlight. Completing the podium was ‘zackTnutsss’, who navigated the field with precision to collect $4,092.09 in prize money and a respectable $2,188.94 in bounties.
Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty]
The weekend action really warmed up with the Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty], one of the “can’t miss” events of the weekend that always brings suspense and drama to the GGPoker tables. As part of the Winter Giveaway Series, the tournament was rebranded as the Sunday SNOWDOWN. It offered a generous $600,000 guarantee and a bonus $30,000 added to the prize pool. Players flocked to the virtual felt, with 7,843 entries smashing expectations and building an incredible $809,280.48 prize pool. The mystery bounty format added another layer of tension, keeping fans and players captivated for nearly nine-and-a-half hours of relentless gameplay.
After 9.25 hours of play, it was ‘LowRsk’, whose stellar performance earned them $39,319.63 in prize money along with $1,995 in bounties as the newly crowned champion. Runner-up ‘A Shchurevich’ showcased extraordinary skill to secure $30,312.73, which was supplemented by $3,901 in bounty rewards. Closing out the top three was ‘DHLai1024’, who walked away with $23,374.28 plus a generous $632 in mystery bounty prizes.
For all of the excitement throughout the final table of this tournament, the biggest moment was the reveal of the largest mystery bounty, a jaw-dropping $60,000 prize. The lucky recipient? ‘Djmil’, who defied the odds by finishing in 82nd place but walked away with an astonishing $66,422.05 in total winnings, thanks to the colossal bounty reward.
Sunday High Rollers Main Event
The Sunday High Rollers Main Event once again lived up to its prestigious reputation, attracting a field of poker’s most accomplished players and high-stakes specialists. Also part of the Winter Giveaway Series, this $1,500 buy-in and a guaranteed $400,000 prize pool was stepping up even more to become another big Mystery Bounty event. By the end of late registration, the event saw 355 entries, pushing the prize pool to an impressive $505,875 plus, as part of the Winter Giveaway Series, an additional $20,000 add-on for a total of $525,875.
Over more than 8 hours of intense poker action, the poker pundits battled hard as just the top 68 players would earn a share of the prize money. Claiming the top spot was ‘Ivan Deyra’, who displayed remarkable precision and discipline to secure the $42,357.93 first-place prize plus $21,220 in bounties. Falling just short in second was ‘Come2Brazil’, who took home $32,662.24 and $2,280 in bounties after an intense heads-up duel. Finishing in third was ‘TOMAPOKER7’, whose steady and strategic play earned $25,196.02 plus an incredible $59,420—an impressive result that was bolstered by the biggest mystery bounty, a $40,000 reward.
Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event
Another highlight of the weekend, and one of the biggest guarantees, was the ever-popular Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event. This regular $54 buy-in poker tournament was branded as part of the Winter Giveaway Series, which meant the regular $750,000 guarantee was boosted by a 5% add-on. When late registration for the event ended, a staggering 19,632 players had joined the fray, pushing the final prize pool total to an impressive $1,012,817.76, including the $37,500 add-on
It took nearly 11 hours of intense, bounty-packed play before the tournament was completed. Complete with non-stop action as players fought to secure their share of the massive prize pool. Rising to the top of the field was ‘gamblefly11’, whose exceptional performance earned them $41,013.04 in prize money and an additional $19,466.57 in bounties. Finishing close behind was ‘JRpopya’, whose impressive run secured $40,998.15 in winnings, boosted by $4,065.71 in bounty prizes for a fantastic second-place finish. Closing out the top three was ‘Charlie Young’, who earned $32,577.01 and $6,490.34 in bounty rewards.
Dodging Aces:
Bounty Hunters HR Main Event
Continuing the weekend events as part of the Winter Giveaway Series, the Bounty Hunters High Roller Main Event became an even greater spectacle with a $50,000 add-on being put on top of the $1,000,000 buy-in. With a $525 buy-in, this event drew in 2,870 entries, smashing expectations and creating a colossal $1,485,000 prize pool. The competition ran fierce from the first hand as the poker elite clashed on the virtual felt.
After an intense and grueling 11-hour-and-10-minute battle, it was ‘jINX7701’ who soared to victory, pocketing $77,125.35 from the main prize pool and an extraordinary $77,160.09 in bounty rewards. It was a performance of skill, timing, and sheer dominance. The last poker player to fall was ‘YAN-GG’, who showcased unrelenting grit to claim $77,123.89 in winnings, paired with $5,668.31 in bounties for an incredible second-place finish. Completing the podium was ‘Liv Hariel’, whose impressive run earned them $61,282.49 along with $19,527.64 in bounty prizes.
GGMasters Bounty $320
Another regular weekend major added to the Winter Giveaway series was the GGMasters Bounty. This $320 buy-in freezeout tournament offered a guaranteed $400,000 prize pool with a $20,000 add-on. A strong turnout of 1,663 players exceeded expectations, generating a final prize pool of $514,908.80. The stage was set for an intense battle, where every elimination came with the added reward of bounties.
After more than 10.5 hours of fierce competition, ‘B Bernardino’ emerged as the champion, taking home $28,993.76 for first place and an impressive $25,231.79 in bounties. The runner-up, ‘Jinle Lin’, displayed remarkable skill and perseverance, securing $28,992.38 in prize money and $10,225.51 in bounties for a strong finish. Closing out the podium was ‘LiveGuy’, whose consistent play earned them $24,839.62 in total winnings, including $1,802.35 in bounties.
GGMasters High Rollers $1,050
The GGMasters High Rollers brought an extra layer of intensity to an already thrilling weekend of poker. With a $1,050 buy-in, the tournament attracted 712 of the most skilled and competitive players in the game. The strong turnout shattered the $600,000 guarantee, creating a substantial $712,000 prize pool and setting the stage for a dramatic high-stakes showdown.
After nearly 11.5 hours of relentless competition, ‘Renat Bohdanov’ claimed victory, walking away with a stunning $99,632.27 for their remarkable performance. The runner-up, ‘CatAgainWin’, fought tooth and nail to secure $76,382.79, showcasing their resilience and expertise throughout the event. Rounding out the top three was ‘Rafael Sabogal’, who put on an impressive display of skill and endurance to earn $58,559.
GGMasters $150
The weekend continued reaching peak after peak with the GGMasters $150 Freezeout, a standout event in the prestigious GGMasters tournament series. Featuring a classic freezeout format and a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool, this tournament brought together 4,093 players, generating a final prize pool of $564,834. With only one shot at glory per player, the stakes were as high as the tension as the field battled over 12-and-a-quarter hours of intense competition.
Emerging victorious was ‘jrmychan1’, who displayed exceptional focus and strategy to claim the title and a hefty $63,183.97 in prize money. Following closely in second place was ‘Skittlez’, who earned $47,378.61 for their impressive run. Completing the podium was ‘V Doroshkov’, whose methodical play secured $35,528.96 for a well-earned third-place finish.
The Weekender
Closing out the weekend in spectacular fashion, The Weekender once again delivered the high-energy action and drama that make it a staple on GGPoker’s packed tournament schedule. With a $50 buy-in and a guaranteed $250,000 prize pool, the event saw 5,545 entries, resulting in a prize pool of $255,070 for players to fight over. The atmosphere was electric as 1,099 players advanced to the final day after battling through different Day 1’s, all vying for their shot at glory.
After 6 hours and 44 minutes of intense battles and pivotal showdowns, it was ‘DIE_ANTON’ who emerged victorious, taking home a well-earned $25,178.18 after an epic heads-up duel. Runner-up ‘Thak me’ delivered a remarkable performance, securing $19,409.37 and proving their prowess under pressure. Completing the top three was ‘kziNN’, whose steady and strategic play earned $14,967.58—a fitting reward for their strong showing.
The End of an Epic Weekend of Poker
As another action-packed weekend at GGPoker comes to a close, the virtual tables have once again delivered unforgettable moments, incredible performances, and monumental payouts. From nail-biting finishes to thrilling bounty hunts, this past weekend showcased the magic of poker—the perfect blend of strategy, skill, and heart-stopping excitement.
Whether it was the accessible thrills of The Weekender, the intense drama of the Bounty Hunters High Roller, or the elite competition of the GGMasters High Rollers, each tournament added a unique flavor to the weekend and the Winter Giveaway Series. Champions rose, stories were written, and the poker community was reminded why GGPoker continues to set the gold standard for online poker.
With even bigger events on the horizon and millions in prizes yet to be won, the stage is set for more iconic moments. So, sharpen your skills, take your shot, and keep chasing those poker dreams. Until next time, shuffle up, deal, and let the chips fall where they may!