The Weekend Round Up – January 5, 2025
Welcome to this week’s GGPoker Weekend Roundup—the very first edition of the new year! As the calendar flips to 2025, excitement and optimism fill the air, and poker fans around the globe have wasted no time diving straight into the action. With renewed energy and a host of renewed players joining the tables, this opening weekend served up plenty of memorable moments. From unexpected triumphs to heart-stopping folds, the stage has been set for a brand-new chapter in online poker. Here’s to the next 12 months of thrilling tournaments, daring bluffs, and well-deserved victories—let’s welcome 2025 in style!
A Weekend of Poker Action
The GGPoker tables roared to life the moment the new year began, featuring a diverse range of tournaments that put players’ skills and resolve to the ultimate test. Chief among these was The Weekender, kicking off with a massive turnout and offering striking prize pools that drew in both seasoned pros and plucky upstarts. Adding to the festive spirit, GGPoker’s holiday promotions gave players another reason to join the festivities, handing out a whopping $25 million in giveaways to celebrate 2025. All eyes were on the virtual felt, where tournament veterans and aspiring talents each fought for their share of fortune and the right to boast a first big victory of the year.
While the weekend delivered its fair share of big winners, it was the emotional battles unfolding behind every chip stack that genuinely brought the drama. Each player’s decision—whether to barrel hard with a bold semi-bluff or fold a promising hand—was fueled by equal parts adrenaline and strategy. Old rivalries were rekindled as familiar faces squared off, while new challengers fought valiantly to earn recognition. Every showdown was a reminder of just how quickly a single moment of brilliance or miscalculation can change the course of a game. With each deal, the field thinned further, and spectators from around the world tuned in to witness the artistry and nerve that makes poker more than just a card game.
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty
The Weekender Omaholic Bounty once again lit up the virtual Pot-Limit Omaha tables on GGPoker, bringing together eager fans and fearless competitors. With a guaranteed prize pool set at $100,000 and a modest buy-in of just $54, the tournament attracted 2,141 entries, which created a total prize pool of $106,364.88. True to form, the PLO enthusiasts turned out in force, demonstrating the spirited nature of this beloved format and proving that the new year’s momentum is already in full swing.
Over the course of several Day 1 flights, 396 players progressed to the Day 2 showdown, each primed to race for the biggest payouts and accumulate bounties. After a nail-biting 4 hours and 52 minutes of relentless action in the finale, it was the unassuming ‘SHULAEVA88’ who seized the ultimate victory. Exhibiting both calculated aggression and timely restraint, they navigated through the PLO minefield to claim $5,596.47 in prize money alongside an impressive $4,245.66 in bounties, stamping their name on the first major Pot-Limit Omaha weekend triumph of 2025.
Hot on their heels was ‘josch2001’, whose deft play and creative tactics earned them the runner-up spot. They pocketed $5,593.91 from the main prize pool and an additional $3,589.33 in bounties for their efforts. Rounding out the podium finishers, ‘ubadbeat’ made a strong case for their PLO prowess, claiming $4,239.64 and $2,060.77 in bounty rewards.
Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty]
The excitement surged onward with the Sunday Showdown $108 [Mystery Bounty], affectionately rebranded as the Sunday SNOWDOWN during GGPoker’s Winter Giveaway Series. With a lofty $700,000 guarantee plus an extra $35,000 thrown into the mix, the event drew a staggering 8,620 entries—shattering expectations and pushing the prize pool to an impressive $891,483.20. As is the hallmark of a mystery bounty format, every eliminated opponent carried the potential for a surprise windfall, keeping tensions high and competitors on their toes for nearly eleven hours of riveting play.
When the final card was flipped, it was ‘Rafael Goulart’ who clinched the top spot, walking away with a remarkable $48,673.19 payday, supplemented by an additional $2,578 in bounties. Right on their heels was ‘Sai loco’, who secured $36,492.75 in prize money and bounty rewards of $2,550. Rounding out the podium, ‘Ojczyznoslaw’ captured $27,365.69 from the main pool and pocketed a further $2,193 in bounty earnings, sealing the deal on a high-stakes finale few will soon forget.
Finishing down in 151st, was ‘Vitor Barbosa’, who earned a total of $35,751.42 after finding one of the biggest bounties, but the biggest winner of the night was ‘Ruslan Malyshev’. This lucky player earned just $158.42 for finishing 486th but unveiled the biggest mystery bounty earning a total of $64,219.42 to start the New Year off the best way.
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, this exclusive showdown boasted a $1,050 buy-in, guaranteeing a sizable $400,000 prize pool and incorporating an extra $20,000 added boost. An impressive 533 entries joined the fray, escalating the total pot to $553,000—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 71 players ultimately navigated the perilous waters to claim a slice of the payout. Emerging triumphant with a masterful display of tactical aggression was ‘P Lefrancois’, whose bankroll swelled by a colossal $100,099.03 payday. Next in line was ‘Jeffrey Reardon’, whose unrelenting pursuit of victory ended just short of first place yet still yielded a lucrative second-place sum of $75,063.39. Rounding out the podium, ‘Zerschlagen’ showcased a balanced blend of patience and panache to lock in $56,289.60, ensuring their performance would be remembered as one of the weekend’s most formidable displays.
Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event
The Bounty Hunters Sunday Main Event once again stole the spotlight this weekend, offering one of the liveliest bounty experiences on the GGPoker schedule. With a $54 buy-in and a massive $750,000 guarantee plus $37,500 added, thanks to a 5% add-on from the Winter Giveaway Series—the stage was set for a colossal turnout. By the time late registration slammed shut, an eye-popping 19,194 hopefuls had joined the fray, driving the total prize pool to a hefty $991,057.92. From the first deal to the final showdown, players had their sights set on both bragging rights and bounty rewards, creating an atmosphere of nonstop excitement.
Clocking in at a little over ten hours of action-packed poker, it was ultimately ‘D Smiljkovic’ who emerged victorious, capturing a total of $47,355.10 in prize money, including an impressive $23,008.42 worth of bounties. The runner-up, ‘Dmitrii Pak’, put up a fierce fight throughout, earning a solid $24,335.83 from the main pool plus an extra $6,794.73 in bounty rewards. Rounding out the podium was ‘Viet-kong69’, whose well-timed moves and sharp instincts netted them $19,337.19 in prize money, plus an additional $6,132.46 from knocking out opponents along the way.
What would you do?:
Bounty Hunters HR Main Event
Continuing the weekend thrill of the Winter Giveaway Series, the Bounty Hunters High Roller Main Event, already the biggest guarantee of the weekend, once again upped the ante—this time, sweetening its already formidable $1,250,000 guarantee with a generous $62,500 add-on. With a buy-in of $525, it was destined to draw a crowd, and the 3,308 entries didn’t disappoint, producing a colossal $1,716,500 prize pool. Heavy-hitting regulars and audacious newcomers alike seized the opportunity to battle for the lion’s share, and the arena crackled with high-stakes tension from the opening hand right through to the final showdown.
After a grueling 11-hour-and-17-minute marathon, it was ‘runador888’ who emerged as the weekend’s latest poker sensation, pocketing $61,925.52 from the main prize pool and an incredible $86,835.28 in bounties. Meanwhile, ‘SpicyTaco’ nearly snatched the crown in a riveting heads-up duel, ultimately settling for $61,923.04 in prize money and $5,385.75 in bounty rewards. Rounding out the top three was ‘Gabriel Moura’. His efforts were rewarded with $49,203.8 in winnings plus $10,452.50 in bounties.
GGMasters Bounty $320
Another cornerstone of the weekend schedule, the GGMasters Bounty, brought its trademark intensity to the Winter Giveaway Series. With a $320 buy-in and a tantalizing $400,000 guarantee, the tournament also benefited from a generous $20,000 add-on, setting the stage for a freezeout battle like no other. Ultimately, 1,713 hopefuls took their shot at glory, inflating the prize pool to a robust $529,788.80. Every knockout raised the stakes, as bounty hunters vied not only for a coveted title but also for the added thrill of nabbing their opponents’ chips—and their corresponding rewards.
Following nearly ten hours of captivating gameplay, it was ‘SupeR-UseR-MDA@’ who emerged at the top of the pack, claiming $21,772.83 for first place alongside an imposing $29,609.34 in bounty payouts. Hot on their heels, ‘Jessica Teusl’ fought their way into second, collecting $21,771.22 from the main prize pool plus $2,233.60 in bounties. Rounding out the top three was ‘IronPlasmaJo GV’, whose measured and methodical approach led to a combined total of $28,633.19, including a solid $11,333.84 in bounty prizes. With yet another high-stakes thriller in the books, the GGMasters Bounty continues to prove it’s a force to be reckoned with on the GGPoker weekend circuit.
GGMasters $150
The GGMasters High Rollers brought a fresh burst of adrenaline to an already action-packed weekend. This $1,050 buy-in event attracted a formidable roster of 845 talented players, all determined to make a statement at the virtual felt. The colossal turnout not only met but easily exceeded its $600,000 guarantee, culminating in a $845,000 final prize pool. High-stakes enthusiasts and rising stars alike seized the opportunity to showcase their refined strategies and chase a coveted championship title.
It took more than twelve hours of relentless action before ‘Franco Spitale’ was able to end the tournament, pocketing a jaw-dropping $118,601.14 for their stellar efforts. Coming in second was ‘Golden Shark’ who put on an exceptional display of poker prowess, claiming a hefty $89,970.61 after an intense heads-up duel. Rounding out the top three, ‘Vlad Dubanov’ proved they could mix patience with aggression to secure $68,251.83
GGMasters $150
The weekend action continued with the ever-popular GGMasters, a centerpiece of the coveted GGMasters series. Adhering to its traditional freezeout format—no rebuys, no second chances—the tournament guaranteed a solid $500,000, luring 4,115 eager entrants. Those ambitious players succeeded in pushing the total prize pool to a commendable $567,870, ensuring that the intensity ran high from the first hand dealt to the final river. With nearly 12 hours of fierce competition on the clock, each participant vied for the distinction of outlasting the sizable field and claiming the well-earned bragging rights.
Emerging triumphant was ‘Fabian Schmidt’ whose blend of aggressive moves and razor-sharp reads paved the way to a payday of $63,523.38—a well-deserved bounty for their marathon performance. Claiming runner-up honors, ‘babemerv’ made an impressive run of their own, walking away with $47,633.27 after an intense heads-up battle. Rounding out the final trio of champions, ‘Bob@Marley’ balanced timely aggression with cautious discipline to secure $35,719.93 for third place.
The Weekender
Closing out the weekend with its trademark fervor, The Weekender once again proved why it’s a staple in GGPoker’s robust tournament lineup. The buy-in, as always, was set at $50, and the prize pool carried a $250,000 guarantee. The tournament brought in a solid 5,533 entries, creating a total prize pool of $254,518. The enthusiasm in the multi-flight format was undeniable, with 1,093 players surviving to the final day. As always, The Weekender lived up to its name, delivering a lively atmosphere and nail-biting showdowns from the get-go.
After nearly 5 hours and 40 minutes of hard-fought competition, it was ‘Gboro21’ who emerged triumphant, collecting a well-earned $25,132.15 for their outstanding run. Finishing just shy of first place, ‘DeoTheKid’ showcased top-tier talent to secure $19,367.77, and rounding out the podium was ‘CHOGC’, who took home $14,935.59 and capped off yet another memorable edition of The Weekender with a performance that underscored the event’s reputation for fierce and entertaining battles.
The End of an Epic Weekend of Poker
As we wrap up the first electrifying GGPoker Weekend Roundup of the year, it’s clear that poker’s captivating blend of nerve, nuance, and narrative remains as thrilling as ever. Whether players were scoring unexpected bounties, defying the odds with breathtaking bluffs, or methodically outplaying their rivals, each hand told a story of ambition and tenacity. This weekend has been a powerful reminder that poker is, at its core, a celebration of human ingenuity and competitive spirit—one that never fails to inspire.
From The Weekender’s multi-flight madness to the intense showdowns of the Bounty Hunters High Roller and the elite battles in the GGMasters High Rollers, GGPoker’s Winter Giveaway Series has proven a fitting way to kick off 2025. New rivalries were born, rising stars made their mark, and seasoned veterans showed why they remain at the top of their game. No matter which table you watched or joined, the weekend delivered endless intrigue, underscoring GGPoker’s commitment to providing an unparalleled online poker experience.
With the new year now in full swing, there’s no better time to sharpen your skills, explore fresh opportunities, and chase down your biggest poker dreams. Keep an eye on the upcoming GGPoker schedule for more can’t-miss tournaments, massive prize pools, and moments destined to become poker lore. Here’s to a prosperous and action-packed 2025—may your cards be lucky, your reads be spot-on, and your journey through the coming tournaments bring you closer to your ultimate win. Shuffle up, deal, and keep making headlines on the virtual felt!