Trio of Two-Time Champs in 2024 XL Winter Series; “Cosmin1812” Wins Huge in $1M Mystery Bounty Main Event!

The 2024 XL Winter Series, which offered more than $2,000,000 in guarantees, wrapped up this week. All told, the series catered to a combined 20,016 entrants and awarded $2,177,906 in prize money over 35 events!

That number included a trio of players who became two-time champs!

There was a three-way tie for most titles by country:

• Brazil, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom each winning five.
• Romanian players were close behind with four.
• Lithuania and Finland were both on the board with three apiece.
• Montenegro, Malta, and Kazakhstan all had two.
• The following counties each claimed a single title – Denmark, Canada, Sweden, and Ireland.

Check out highlights from the last week of the 2024 XL Winter Series below:

Cosmin1812 Had Luck of the Irish in Mystery Bounty ME!

The 2024 XL Winter Series culminated with a $888 buy-in, $1,000,000 GTD multi-flight Mystery Bounty Main Event that saw Day 1 flights kick off weeks ago. All told, 1,085 players accounted for 134 rebuys, resulting in a 1,219-entry field. This number of entries squeaked by the guarantee with a $1,033,712 prize pool on tap.

Day 2 took place on Monday, January 29 with 189 players returning to action, though only the top 144 were slated to get paid. A massive top bounty prize of $100,000 was available, as well as one $50,000 bounty and two $25,000 bounties.

• One of the $25k bounties went to “tehnats”, who finished in 65^th place for $1,494.39, which along with some other bounties gave them a total payday of $28,227.71.

• As for the $50k, that went to 18^th-place finisher “casual_win”, who walked away with $57,042.51 in prize money.

• As for the other $25k and the top $100k bounty, they both went to the eventual champ, which you’ll read more about below.

Some other players to cash the tournament after “raw_dawg” bubbled were the following:

• “Fighta07” (11^th place for $6,084.31 plus $10,000 in bounties)
• “idkhtp” (13^th place for $4,696.66 plus $10,000 in bounties)
• “Winter__96” (23^rd place for $2,721.93 plus $13,500 in bounties)
• “AlCunningham” (32^nd place for $1,814.61 plus $10,866.66 in bounties)
• “unluckeeeeee” (56^th place for $1,547.76 plus $11,333.30)

The final table of eight players went on an overnight hiatus before returning on Tuesday, January 30 to play down to a winner.

The final table was livestreamed on the 888pokerTV Twitch channel.

Holding a more than 2:1 lead over the next closest player was Brazil’s “mapoker96” (3,684,120) and a good bit ahead of Ireland’s “Cosmin1812” (1,732,440).

Others at the final table were the following players:

• Canada’s “CheersMates” (1,673,617)
• Montenegro’s “Iroquois” (1,580,382)
• Lithuania’s “DominykasJ” (1,245,541)
• Kazakhstan’s “LookAround” (1,013,172)
• Estonia’s “BIG_BIN” (804,389)
• Kurdistan’s “TAJJMAAKKHAL” (456,339)

Despite starting with such a large chip lead, “Mapoker96” wound up falling in fourth place. It happened in Level 39 (40,000/80,000) when they opened for 160,000 holding the A♦4♦. “Cosmin1812” three-bet to 370,000 from the big blind.

“Mapoker96” four-bet jammed for 2,011,403 and got snap-called by the A♥A♣ of “Cosmin1812”.

The board ran out Q♦8♥7♣8♠3♠ and that was all she wrote for the start-of-day chip leader.

“Cosmin1812” then won a flip with ace-queen to eliminate “CheersMates”, who had pocket tens. That win allowed him to take an approximate 12:1 chip lead into heads-up play against “DominykasJ”.

The final hand of the tournament took place in Level 40 (50,000/100,000). “DominykasJ” jammed for 600,793 with the A♣4♥ and was looking to get lucky against the 10♦10♠ of “Cosmin1812”.

The 6♥10♣8♠ essentially shut the door by giving the latter a set. So, the former had to settle for second place after the K♥ on the turn followed by the 8♣ on the river.

XL Winter Event #34 Final Table Results

1^st – “Cosmin1812” (Ireland) … $82,619.04 + $136,266.58 in bounties = $218,885.62

2^nd – “DominykasJ” (Lithuania) … $60,256.08 + $5,199.96 in bounties = $65,456.04

3^rd – “CheersMates” (Canada) … $44,298.09 + $9,566.62 in bounties = $53,864.71

4^th – “Mapoker96” (Brazil) … $32,823.28 + $6,066.62 in bounties = $38,889.90

5^th – “TAJJMAAKKHAL” (Kurdistan) … $24,283.89 + $9,333.30 in bounties = $33,617.19

6^th – “BIG_BIN” (Estonia) … $18,146.20 + $15,233.32 in bounties = $33,379.52

7^th – “LookAround” (Kazakhstan) … $13,663.02 + $6,966.64 in bounties = $20,629.66

8^th – “Iroquois” (Montenegro) … $10,354.01 + $2,599.98 in bounties = $12,953.99

Brazil Wins Big in $100K Mystery Bounty Mini Main Event

The other big tournament to close out the series was the $25 buy-in Event #35: $100,000 Mystery Bounty Mini Main Event. Over the course of many Day 1 flights, this event drew 4,214 players who rebought 1,064 times.

The 5,278-entry field surpassed the guarantee by creating a prize pool of $121,394 with a $10,000 top bounty was up for grabs. That wound up going to Ukraine’s “MOLLOT”, who finished in 327^th place for $57.11 for a tournament-high payday of $10,057.11.

Day 2 saw 770 players return to action, but only the top 560 finishers made the money. Among those to make relatively deep runs were the following:

• “BRabbitino” (90^th place for $107.09 plus $1,175.42 in bounties)
• “Davikas” (43^rd place for $149.92 plus $1,175.98 in bounties)
• “Arrivider4a” (38^th place for $149.92 plus $3,050.28 in bounties)
• “voktv” (10^th place for $492.61 plus $875.98 in bounties)

After 7 hours and 32 minutes of play on Day 2, it was Brazil’s “tutuia20” defeating the UK’s “casual_win” in heads-up play to win the tournament for $8,284.41.

And along with $351.40 in bounties brought their total payout up to $8,635.81.

XL Winter Event #35 Final Table Results

1^st – “tutuia20” (Brazil) … $8,284.41 + $351.40 in bounties = $8,635.81

2^nd – “casual_win” (United Kingdom) … $5,911.42 + $651.96 in bounties = $6,563.38

3^rd – “c3.splash” (Montenegro) … $4,219.38 + $1,330.50 in bounties = $5,549.88

4^th – “Hiisoka93” (Brazil) … $3,034.24 + $301.68 in bounties = $3,335.92

5^th – “chq_tt” (Mexico) … $2,198.93 + $50.28 in bounties = $2,249.21

6^th – “HereWGO” (Kazakhstan) … $1,599.22 + $125.70 in bounties = $1,724.92

7^th – “goldskill” (Lithuania) … $1,178 + $100.56 in bounties = $1,278.56

8^th – “manzoritka” (Ukraine) … $871 + $150.84 in bounties = $1,021.84

Lithuania’s Sim0nk Takes Just 4.5 Hours to Win $6,000

On Tuesday, January 23, the $320 buy-in, $20K GTD Event #22: Turbo Deep High Roller attracted 40 players who rebought 13 times. That meant only the top nine finishers would get a piece of the $20,000 prize pool.

Some names to try and fail were “algsxr”, “pactamah23”, and “AUTISPOSTI”, just to name a few.

It took a mere 4 hours and 31 minutes for the tournament to reach its conclusion. Lithuania’s “Sim0nk” defeated New Zealand’s “BlueHeroFan” in heads-up play to claim the title and accompanying $6,000 first-place prize.

XL Winter Event #22 Final Table Results

1^st – “Sim0nk” (Lithuania) … $6,000

2^nd – “BlueHeroFan” (New Zealand) … $4,000

3^rd – “paulinhoo00” (Brazil) … $2,820

4^th – “for5months” (Mexico) … $2,060

5^th – “CashedGiro” (United Kingdom) … $1,540

6^th – “WestCliff26” (N/A) … $1,140

7^th – “LastWish8989” (Romania) … $920

8^th – “Collier88” (Canada) … $820

9^th – “mafinis” (Lithuania) … $700a

Romania’s Hxs87 Binks Event #26: $20,000 PKO

On Thursday, January 25, the $320 buy-in, $20K GTD XL Winter Event #26: PKO saw 80 players rebuy 16 times. It cruised past the guarantee as the 96-entry field generated a prize pool of $28,800. Among those to claim bounties but fall short of making the money were “Blank0525” ($150), “scheeescheee” ($300), and “wellyxx” ($225), just to name a few.

Only the top dozen finishers got a piece of the regular prize pool including the following:

• “algsxr” (11^th place for $396 + $487.50 in bounties)
• “BalticMouse” (10^th place for $396 + $1,087.50 in bounties)
• “AUTISPOSTI” (5^th place for $1,008 + $1,012.50 in bounties)
• “tehnats” (3^rd place for $2,016 + $337.50 in bounties)

The final two players – Romania’s “Hxs87” and Lithuania’s “Raise1In.” – each locked up $3,293.28 by virtue of making it to heads-up play. But awaiting the winner was a $4,218.75 PKO bounty.

After 6 hours and 13 minutes of play, it was “Hxs87” coming out on top for a total payday of $7,513.47.

XL Winter Event #26 Final Table Results

1^st – “Hxs87” (Romania) … $3,294.72 + $4,218.75 in bounties = $7,513.47

2^nd – “Raise1In.” (Lithuania) … $3,293.28 + $1,556.25 in bounties = $4,849.53

3^rd – “tehants” (N/A) … $2,016 + $337.50 in bounties = $2,353.50

4^th – “Bartu79” (N/A) … $1,368 + $525 in bounties = $1,893

5^th – “AUTISPOSTI” (Malta) … $1,008 + $1,012.50 in bounties = $2,020.50

6^th – “BetBetFck” (Ukraine) … $756 + $75 in bounties = $831

7^th – “Reggie_Degen” (Canada) … $612 + $525 in bounties = $1,137

8^th – “Escabofildo” (Brazil) … $468 + $300 in bounties = $768

9^th – “PotofGreed” (Malta) … $396 + $0 in bounties = $396

Ukraine’s dkfdyulr Captures 2^nd Title of the Series

Back on January 18, Ukraine’s “dkfdyulr” topped a 70-entry field to win the XL Winter Event #11: $20,000 Super KO for $4,590. Just over a week later, the Ukrainian player became the first two-time winner of the series by taking down the $109 buy-in Event #28: $12,000 Big Shot 6-Max. This tournament that attracted 106 runners (82 unique + 24 re-entries).

That tournament paid out its $12,000 prize pool to the top 12 finishers including the following players:

• “KaizenStyle” (11^th place for $300)
• “michel.mica” (7^th place for $450)
• “IOwnU888” (5^th place for $840)
• “pactamah23” (4^th place for $1,140)

After the UK’s “casual_win” exited in third place for $1,680, “dkfdyulr” had to battle Malta’s “PotofGreed” in heads-up play.

Ultimately, “dkfdyulr” closed it out after 6 hours and 39 minutes of play for a $3,270 payday.

XL Winter Event #28 Final Table Results

1^st – “dkfdyulr” (Ukraine) … $3,270

2^nd – “PotofGreed” (Malta) … $2,190

3^rd – “casual_win” (United Kingdom) … $1,680

4^th – “pactamah23” (Germany) … $1,140

5^th – “IOwnU888” (N/A) … $840

6^th – “Edgarito12” (Lithuania) … $630

7^th – “michel.mica” (Brazil) … $450

8^th – “peknus” (Lithuania) … $450

9^th – “fanatmalini” (Montenegro) … $450

Lithuania’s ddaubar Also Becomes Two-Time Champion

Back on the first day of the XL Winter Series, “ddaubar” topped a 91-entry field to win the $525 buy-in Event #3: $50,000 High Roller Opening Event for $12,320. Well, it seems to be a good price point for the Lithuanian player as he went on to capture another High Roller title at that same buy-in.

It happened on Sunday, January 28 in the $525 buy-in Event #31: $50,000 Mystery Bounty High Roller, a tournament that drew 79 players who rebought 17 times.

The 96-entry field was offered a top bounty prize of $5,000 while the top 18 finishers got a piece of the regular prize pool. Among those to cash were the following players:

• “pactamah23” (13^th place for $485 plus $1,250 in bounties)
• “PotofGreed” (8^th place for $597.50 plus $1,102.92 in bounties)
• “wellyxx” (7^th place for $817.50 plus $6,250 in bounties)
• “phho86” (4^th place for $2,245 plus $1,470.56 in bounties)

After 6 hours and 15 minutes, “ddaubar” closed out the tournament by beating Brazil’s “Escabofildo” in heads-up play.

They claimed a $6,160 first-place prize plus $8,602.92 in bounties for a total payout of $14,762.92.

XL Winter Event #31 Final Table Results

1^st – “ddaubar” (Lithuania) … $6,160 + $8,602.92 in bounties = $14,762.92

2^nd – “Escabofildo” (Brazil) … $4,397.50 + $2,867.64 in bounties = $7,265.14

3^rd – “NgoloforGB” (Malta) … $3,140 + $735.28 in bounties = $3,875.28

4^th – “phho86” (N/A) … $2,245 + $1,470.56 in bounties = $3,715.56

5^th – “OMGTHATEDGE” (Ukraine) … $1,602.50 + $735.28 in bounties = $2,337.78

6^th – “3AHYDA” (Mexico) … $1,145 + $367.64 in bounties = $1,512.64

7^th – “wellyxx” (Finland) … $817.50 + $6,250 in bounties = $7,067.50

8^th – “PotofGreed” (Malta) … $597.50 + $1,102.92 in bounties = $1,700.42

9^th – “topdoll827” (Sweden) … $515 + $0 in bounties = $515

Malta’s POTITOOOOOOO Third Two-Time Series Winner

It was a good series of Malta’s “POTITOOOOOOO”, who on the penultimate day became the third player to claim two titles. His first came back on January 19 when he bested a 113-entry field to win the $109 buy-in Event #13: $12,000 PKO Turbo Deep for $2,664.48.

Then, on Monday, January 29, they navigated a 136-entry field (111 unique plus 25 re-entries) to win the $109 buy-in Event #33: $15,000 After Party for $3,487.50.

Also cashing that tournament but failing to make the final table were the following:

• “Edgarito12” (10^th place for $232.50)
• “PlumpySouyon” (16^th place for $216)
• “algsxr” (19^th place for $213)
• “phho86” (21^st place for $213)
• “KellerA” (23^rd place for $213)

XL Winter Event #33 Final Table Results

1^st – “POTITOOOOOOO” (Malta) … $3,487.50

2^nd – “cezinha94pkr” (Brazil) … $2,497.50

3^rd – “Yuki8888” (Germany) … $1,800

4^th – “_WOLVES_” (United Kingdom) … $1,288.50

5^th – “WalnutPix” (United Kingdom) … $906

6^th – “leonardoc01” (Brazil) … $652.50

7^th – “Steed4321” (United Kingdom) … $474

8^th – “benmiller16” (United Kingdom) … $353.50

9^th – “bucurestean” (Romania) … $247.50

888poker 2024 XL Winter Series Complete Winner’s List