The Weekend Round Up – January 12, 2025
Welcome to this week’s GGPoker Weekend Roundup! As 2025 kicks into gear, the second weekend of the year proved that the excitement is only just beginning. With New Year’s resolutions still fresh in the minds of players, the GGPoker tables became a proving ground for daring moves, sharp strategies, and thrilling victories. If the first weekend set the stage, this weekend turned up the heat, showing us that poker’s brightest stars and boldest challengers are ready to make their mark.
The energy at the tables was electric, with every hand playing out like a scene from a high-stakes thriller. The new year may have just begun, but it’s already clear that 2025 is shaping up to be unforgettable for the poker world. Whether you’re here for the triumphant comebacks, the shocking twists, or the sheer skill on display, this weekend had something for everyone. Buckle up—this is only the beginning of what promises to be an epic year of poker!
A Weekend of Poker Action
The second weekend of 2025 didn’t disappoint, with GGPoker serving up another spectacular lineup of tournaments. At the heart of the action was The Weekender, a fan favorite that once again attracted an impressive crowd. With a hefty six-figure prize pool, players from every corner of the globe turned out to test their mettle and claim their share of the spoils.
Adding to the weekend buzz, GGPoker continued to roll out its holiday giveaways, ensuring that players had even more reasons to hit the tables. While the giveaways set a festive tone, the competition was anything but lighthearted. From the first hand to the last showdown, the stakes were high, the decisions intense, and the drama unrelenting. The poker stars of tomorrow clashed with the game’s seasoned veterans, creating moments that will be replayed and relived as we march into the year ahead.
Let’s take a closer look at the players, the plays, and the pulse-pounding moments that made this weekend one to remember!
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty once again drew a lively crowd to the virtual Pot-Limit Omaha tables at GGPoker, showcasing the format’s unique appeal and competitive spirit. With a guaranteed prize pool of $100,000 and a relatively low buy-in of just $54, the event attracted a robust field of 2,195 entries. This surge in participation pushed the prize pool to an impressive $109,047.60.
Across multiple Day 1 flights, 403 players battled their way into Day 2, all vying for the largest payouts and bounty rewards. After a heart-pounding 5 hours and 22 minutes of strategic showdowns, it was the tenacious ‘BYN5’ who emerged victorious. Combining daring bluffs with pinpoint accuracy, they claimed $5,737.78 in prize money and an additional $7,211.45 in bounties.
Close behind, ‘Hot_Granny1899’ displayed exceptional adaptability to secure the runner-up spot. Their skillful play earned them $5,734.37 from the prize pool and a healthy $1,964.75 in bounty rewards. Completing the top three, ‘guyco’ turned in a stellar performance, walking away with $4,345.94 and $289.65 in bounty payouts.
Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty]
The excitement continues to grow with the Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty], temporarily rebranded as the Sunday SNOWDOWN as part of GGPoker’s Winter Giveaway Series. Boasting an ambitious $700,000 guarantee and a festive $35,000 added bonus, the event saw an astonishing 8,295 entries. This overwhelming turnout smashed expectations and boosted the total prize pool to an incredible $859,191.20. With the thrilling unpredictability of the mystery bounty format, each elimination carried the possibility of life-changing rewards, keeping the action tense for an epic 9.5 hours of play.
Emerging victorious was well-known professional ‘Niklas Astedt’, who outlasted the massive field to claim the top prize of $46,975.54, complemented by an additional $2,214 in bounty winnings. Just behind, ‘OossoO’ made an impressive run, securing $35,221.79 from the main pool and $3,735 in bounties for a well-earned second-place finish. Completing the top three, ‘Player 66’ showcased remarkable endurance and skill to take home $26,412.61 in prize money and $735 in bounty rewards.
One of the weekend’s biggest moments came from ‘Dario pelle’, who finished in 315th place, earning just $199.91 from the prize pool—but they unearthed the largest mystery bounty, earning a total of $71,858 in total bounty rewards.
Sunday High Rollers Main Event
Another of the biggest tournaments for weekend festivities was none other than the Sunday High Rollers Main Event, a marquee attraction on GGPoker’s tournament calendar. Also featured in the Winter Giveaway Series and renamed the Sunday Winter Classic HR, this exclusive showdown boasted a $1,050 buy-in and guaranteed a sizable $500,000 prize pool with an extra $25,000 added boost. An impressive 561 entries joined the fray, escalating the total pot to $586,000—a hefty sum befitting the caliber of talent at the tables. Players brought their A-game and bravado, each eager to secure a share of the spoils and the prestige attached to this illustrious event.
Spanning over ten hours of razor-sharp competition, only 80 players would ultimately navigate the perilous waters to claim a slice of the payout. Emerging triumphant with a masterful display of tactical aggression was ‘danielkyosev’, whose bankroll swelled by a colossal $102,471.69 payday. Next in line was ‘Atuana615’, whose unrelenting pursuit of victory ended just short of first place yet still yielded a lucrative second-place sum of $76,842.73. Rounding out the podium, ‘Simon Beckmann’ showcased a balanced blend of patience and panache to lock in $57,623.91.
Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event
Another highlight of the weekend’s poker lineup was the Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event, a cornerstone of GGPoker’s renowned tournament offerings. With a $54 buy-in and a guaranteed $1,000,000 prize pool sweetened by an additional $50,000, the stage was set for a thrilling contest. The event attracted 21,306 entries, creating a total prize pool of $1,108,482.08.
After over ten hours of high-stakes action, the tournament played out. The last player remaining was ‘Knuriver,’, whose daring yet disciplined approach earned them a colossal $26,289.98 plus $24,671.33 in bounty rewards. Following closely, ‘Kuaileren1996’ demonstrated mastery and resilience to claim the second-place prize of $26,275.59 and $7,346.25 in bounties. Rounding out the top three, ‘shine-h’ showcased their tournament acumen to secure $20,878.53 in winnings to go along with $1,547.10 in bounties.
Lesson 1 – How to Bluff:
Bounty Hunters HR Main Event
The excitement of the Winter Giveaway Series reached a fever pitch with the Bounty Hunters High Roller Main Event, the weekend’s biggest regular guaranteed tournament. Featuring an already impressive $1,250,000 guarantee was further enhanced by a generous $62,500 add-on. This $525 buy-in event drew a massive crowd of 3,347 entries, pushing the prize pool to a jaw-dropping $1,736,000. The event attracted a mix of seasoned high rollers and ambitious rising stars, all vying for a piece of poker glory.
After an exhausting 11-hour-and-15-minute grind, ‘AceFortune’ emerged victorious, capturing $62,604.37 from the main prize pool and an extraordinary $79,441.19 in bounties. Hot on their heels, ‘Fang Sky’ came tantalizingly close to clinching the title in an electrifying heads-up showdown, taking home $62,601.31 in prize money for finishing second and $12,036.15 in bounties. Completing the podium, ‘rico peng’ demonstrated immense skill and determination, earning $49,742.82 from the prize pool and an additional $5,169.92 in bounties.
GGMasters Bounty $320
Another highlight of the weekend’s schedule, the GGMasters Bounty, brought its signature drama and intensity to the Winter Giveaway Series. With a $320 buy-in and a tantalizing $500,000 guarantee bolstered by a $25,000 add-on, the stage was set for an epic freezeout showdown. A total of 1,819 players took their shot at poker glory, driving the prize pool to a hefty $566,334.40. Every elimination added to the excitement, as players battled not just for prize money but for the thrill of collecting bounties along the way.
After nearly ten hours and twenty minutes of riveting action, it was ‘Aperol Fritz’ who claimed victory, pocketing $22,753.93 from the prize pool and a notable $27,051.14 in bounties. In a close second, ‘onyvapapaa’ displayed tenacity and sharp instincts to secure $22,752.42 in prize money along with $13,010.80 in bounty rewards. Completing the podium, ‘Laniver’ impressed with a methodical and calculated performance, earning a combined $18,079.01, including $10,318.37 in bounty winnings.
GGMasters High Rollers
The weekend spectacle continued with the fan-favorite GGMasters, a cornerstone of the prestigious GGMasters series. Staying true to its classic freezeout format—where there are no rebuys and no second chances—the tournament featured a $750,000 guarantee, drawing an impressive 898 players eager to test their mettle. The enthusiastic turnout swelled the prize pool to $898,000, ensuring a fiercely competitive field where every decision carried weight.
After nearly 12 hours of relentless action, it was ‘LugangCrullers’ who rose to the top, combining bold bluffs and flawless timing to secure the grand prize of $126,040.19. Following closely behind, ‘T Eichenseher’ put up a valiant effort in the thrilling heads-up battle, earning a well-deserved $95,613.74 for second place. Finishing third was ‘Peuuu’, who showcased a perfect balance of patience and aggression to claim $72,532.71 for their remarkable finish.
GGMasters $150
The weekend buzz continued with the highly anticipated GGMasters, a cornerstone of the prestigious GGMasters series. True to its roots, the tournament stuck to its classic freezeout format—no rebuys, no second chances—which always ups the ante for participants. With a $500,000 guarantee, the event attracted 4,204 determined players, swelling the prize pool to an impressive $580,152 and setting the stage for a marathon showdown packed with intensity and drama.
Claiming the top spot was ‘I HATE AI’, who earned a payday of $51,608.46 after a 3-way deal was struck with ‘Nicolas Godoy’, who finished second and earned $53,183.38, and the eventual third place finisher ‘DaddysRun’ who brought home $45,261.07.
The Weekender
Wrapping up the weekend in signature style, The Weekender once again cemented its place as a fan-favorite in GGPoker’s tournament roster. With a $50 buy-in and a guaranteed $250,000 prize pool, the multi-flight format attracted 6,045 entries over the multiple starting days, pushing the final prize pool to $278,070. The excitement was palpable as 1,198 players advanced to the final day, each aiming to etch their name into The Weekender’s storied legacy.
After 6 hours and 18 minutes of intense competition, it was ‘cupofmilk’ who rose to the occasion, claiming the top prize of $27,957.61 for a stellar performance. Right behind, ‘Lucas Is My Dog’ put up an impressive fight, securing $21,545.19 for their efforts. Rounding out the top three, ‘Pokerverse’ displayed remarkable skill and determination, earning $16,614.73 to cap off another thrilling edition of The Weekender.
The End of an Epic Weekend of Poker
As we close out the second GGPoker Weekend Roundup of 2025, it’s evident that the year is already brimming with promise and excitement. From stunning comebacks to expertly timed bluffs, the weekend’s tournaments highlighted the skill, strategy, and daring that makes poker such an enduring thrill. Every chip stacked and every card flipped was a testament to the determination and ingenuity of the players who turned up to compete.
With The Weekender’s high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha action, the electrifying surprises of the Sunday SNOWDOWN, and the high-octane drama of the Sunday High Rollers Main Event, GGPoker’s Winter Giveaway Series has set a dazzling pace for the year ahead. New talents seized the spotlight, established pros defended their reputations, and the entire poker community was reminded why we keep coming back to the felt: the chance to chase glory, make memories, and test our mettle.
As the new year continues to unfold, there’s never been a better time to refine your skills, take on new challenges, and aim for greatness. GGPoker has an exciting lineup of tournaments waiting in the wings, and with massive prize pools and unpredictable moments on the horizon, the journey is just beginning. Here’s to an incredible year of poker action—may your hands be strong, your instincts sharp, and your path to victory unforgettable. Until next weekend, shuffle up, deal, and keep turning dreams into reality at the GGPoker tables!