The Knockout Games Series began back on April 24 and wrapped up on 888poker over the weekend. The 44-event series offered players the chance to play affordable buy-in knockout tournaments boasting over $1,000,000 in guarantees. By the end of the series, a combined 25,035 entrants had participated and $1,427,915 in prize money awarded.
The series proved to be a worldwide affair with winners hailing from far and wide.
- No contingent did better than the Brazilians, who nabbed eight Knockout Games Series titles. Romania and Ukraine each had five to their credit.
- Denmark and Germany got four each.
- Swedish players accounted for a trio of titles.
- Two apiece went to Mexico, Canada and Kazakhstan.
- The lone title club consisted of Lithuania, Montenegro, Pakistan, Uruguay, Malta, and the United Kingdom.
Here’s a look at the winner distribution by country:
Brazil – 8
Romania – 5
Ukraine – 5
Denmark – 4
Germany – 4
Sweden – 3
Kazakhstan – 2
Mexico – 2
Canada –2
Lithuania – 1
Montenegro – 1
United Kingdom – 1
Pakistan – 1
Uruguay – 1
Malta – 1
Canadian Wins Knockout Games Series Main Event
The highlight of the series was the $215 buy-in, $300,000 GTD Main Event on Sunday, May 8. That tournament, which offered daily freerolls awarding seats throughout the series, saw 1,420 players rebuy 238 times. So, the 1,658-entry field surpassed the guarantee with a juicy $331,600 prize pool.
Among those to finish in the top 240 places and make the money were the following players:
- “Likat” (136th place for $281.86 plus $525 in bounties)
- Dominik “888Dominik” Nitsche (115th place for $315.02 plus $325 in bounties)
- “MagStuPizza” (55th place for $397.92 plus $550 in bounties)
- “WalnutPix” (24th place for $696.36 plus $831.25 in bounties)
- Final table bubble “smecheru888” (10th place for $1,691.16 plus $1,203.13 in bounties)
The final table of nine players took an overnight break before returning on Monday to battle it out on a live stream. The most familiar name at the final table was Canada’s “popsnpoker”, though they were the first to fall in ninth place for $2,171.98 plus $759.38 in bounties.
Eventually both Canada’s “Luckyguy62” and the United Kingdom’s “vyccc” locked up $19,813.10 in prize money each for making it to heads-up play. But awaiting the winner was an even bigger $20,802.66 PKO bounty.
The Canadian ultimately came out on top to win the title and a total prize of $40,515.76.
Knockout Games Series Main Event Final Table Results
1st – “Luckyguy62” (Canada) … $40,515.76
2nd – “vyccc” (United Kingdom) … $25,821.29
3rd – “R3li_able” (Lithuania) … $18,866.24
4th – “raisebot” (Netherlands) … $9,352.42
5th – “VL1fish3BV” (Romania) … $8,726.79
6th – “eastyyy22” (United Kingdom) … $6,755
7th – “Zadi14” (Bangladesh) … $6,910.36
8th – “Jan.14” (Kazakhstan) … $5,714.27
9th – “popsnpoker” (Canada) … $2,931.36
Also, on Sunday was the $55 buy-in Event #44: $50,000 Mini Main PKO, a tournament that drew 1,107 players who rebought 236 times. The 1,343-entry field generated a $67,150 prize pool. And after 9 hours and 15 minutes of play, “Brunsonskid” defeated Argentina’s “leon_dies10” heads-up to win the title for $4,247.80 plus a $5,895.35 PKO bounty for a total payday of $10,143.15.
Knockout Games Series Mini Main PKO Final Table Results
1st – “Brunsonskid” (N/A) … $10,143.15
2nd – “leon_dies10” (Argentina) … $4,883.31
3rd – “MishkoLil” (United Kingdom) … $3,383.65
4th – “Jungsp0und” (Belarus) … $2,473.22
5th – “Maltesetigre” (Malta) … $1,923.10
6th – “MIKEPOSTLE” (Ireland) … $1,868.85
7th – “JIRNIYTONY” (Ukraine) … $1,035.65
8th – “protocall” (Lithuania) … $742.07
9th – “White_Pipka” (Ukraine) … $725.05
Sweden’s “OBisNutrank” Becomes 1st 2-Time Champ
On Monday, May 2 the first two-time champ of the series was crowned. It happened when Sweden’s “ObisNutrank” claimed victory in the $55 buy-in Event #25: $8,000 PKOmaha 6-Max. This tournament saw 104 players rebuy 26 times. The Swede previously won the $44 buy-in Event #3: $12,000 Late Opening PKO on the first day of the series that was good for $2,850.74.
Only the top dozen finishers made the money, and among those to cash but fall short of the final table were the following:
- “WomenAreGood” (7th place for $178.12 + $192.19 in bounties)
- “sorindyn” (8th place for $178.12 + $78.13 in bounties)
- “kaablys” (9th place for $178.12 + $146.88 in bounties)
- “NicolasReis” (10th place for $118.75 + $18.75 in bounties)
- “Hatam16” (11th place for $118.75 + $37.50 in bounties)
- “pupajj” (12th place for $118.75 + $43.75 in bounties)
Event #25: $8,000 PKOmaha 6-Max Final Table Results
1st – “ObisNutrank” (Sweden) … $2,204.36
2nd – “zwei.2” (Brazil) … $1,350.93
3rd – “Macabroca” (Brazil) … $802.50
4th – “Tighterinho” (Latvia) … $501.25
5th – “Simonklasik” (Germany) … $482.51
6th – “Inflaatio” (Finland) … $408.76
In other Monday Omaha news, the United Kingdom and Germany both got on the board. The UK’s “Shaunykins” topped a 256-entry field (190 unique plus 66 rebuys) to win the $11 buy-in Event #26: $3,000 Mini PKOmaha 6-Max for $595.05.
Germany’s “Donkplayer19” bested a 113-entry field (93 unique plus 20 rebuys) to win the $33 buy-in Event #27: $5,000 Late PKOmaha 6-Max for $1,259.81.
Hot Streak of Romania’s “Machidon7” - Claims 2nd Title
It’s been quite the Knockout Games Series for 888poker “Machidon7”, who hails from Romania. He previously won the $22 buy-in Event #23: $25,000 Mini Tune Up PKO for $3,026.14.
And he nearly captured a second title the same day in the $160 buy-in Event #22: $150,000 Tune Up PKO, making it to heads-up play alongside Ukraine’s “RaPaPaPaPam”. But “Machidon7” was denied having to settle for second place and $11,780.87 in prize money.
“Machidon7” didn’t have to wait long for a second title. On Tuesday, May 4, the $55 buy-in Event #30: $10,000 Late Super Knockout attracted 219 players who rebought 30 times, resulting in a $12,450 prize pool.
Well, “Machidon7” returned to his winning ways after defeating “cringed” in heads-up play. The win was good for a $1,321.72 top prize plus $200 in KO bounties for a total payday of $1,521.72.
Event #30: $10,000 Late Super Knockout Final Table Results
1st – “Machodon7” (Romania) … $1,521.72
2nd – “cringed” (Montenego) … $1,139.92
3rd – “Barto7907” (United Kingdom) … $820.95
4th – “totiybr1” (Argentina) … $679.22
5th – “komnata423” (Ukraine) … $489.16
6th – “JoseBezerra” (Mexico) … $390.80
7th – “protocall” (Lithunia) … $393.59
8th – “Zaniacmaniac” (Sweden) … $318.17
9th – “Haideimau” (Germany) … $305.20
A pair of Brazilian players also found success on Tuesday. First, “GUDIAS” topped a 206-entry field to win the $160 buy-in Event #28: $30,000 Super Knockout for $4,438.95
Fellow countryman “marcio181810” prevailed over a 142-entry field to win the $22 buy-in Event #29: $15,000 Mini Super Knockout for $1,461.04.
888poker Knockout Games Series Winners …
Date |
Tournament |
Buy-In |
Players |
Total Entries |
Prize Pool |
Winner |
Country |
Prize |
Sunday, April 24 |
Event #1: $125,000 Opening Event PKO |
$109 |
955 |
1,222 |
$125,000 |
77portuga77 |
Brazil |
$15,218.82 |
Sunday, April 24 |
Event #2: $20,000 Mini Opening PKO |
$16.50 |
1,074 |
1,364 |
$20,460 |
beckan116 |
Brazil |
$2,782.19 |
Sunday, April 24 |
Event #3: $12,000 Late Opening PKO |
$44 |
381 |
466 |
$18,640 |
ObisNutrank |
Sweden |
$2,850.74 |
Monday, April 25 |
Event #4: $25,000 PKO 8-Max |
$55 |
490 |
643 |
$32,150 |
protocali |
Lithuania |
$4,418.06 |
Monday, April 25 |
Event #5: $10,000 Mini PKO 8-Max |
$11 |
777 |
1035 |
$10,350 |
jmjmns |
Denmark |
$1,352.12 |
Monday, April 25 |
Event #6: $10,000 Late PKO 8-Max |
$33 |
373 |
450 |
$13,500 |
Komyagin |
Ukraine |
$2,239.64 |
Tuesday, April 26 |
Event #7: $30,000 Super Knockout |
$160 |
189 |
239 |
$35,850 |
cherrywine |
Pakistan |
$4,330.63 |
Tuesday, April 26 |
Event #8: $15,000 Mini Super Knockout |
$22 |
606 |
772 |
$15,440 |
Nobilitas |
Denmark |
$1,341.06 |
Tuesday, April 26 |
Event #9: $10,000 Late Super Knockout |
$55 |
212 |
245 |
$12,250 |
IIIIILIIIII |
Kazakhstan |
$1,575.49 |
Wednesday, April 27 |
Event #10: $30,000 PKO |
$109 |
306 |
379 |
$37,900 |
Dvingminator |
Denmark |
$6,827.67 |
Wednesday, April 27 |
Event #11: $12,000 Mini PKO |
$16.50 |
723 |
927 |
$13,905 |
Hotzonicu |
Romania |
$2,051.04 |
Wednesday, April 27 |
Event #12: $10,000 Late PKO |
$33 |
338 |
424 |
$12,720 |
ohanaaa |
Brazil |
$2,393.26 |
Thursday, April 28 |
Event #13: $25,000 PKO Freezeout |
$215 |
157 |
157 |
$31,400 |
guizones27 |
Brazil |
$7,362.83 |
Thursday, April 28 |
Event #14: $10,000 Mini PKO Freezeout |
$55 |
306 |
306 |
$15,300 |
armlockvoado |
Brazil |
$2,586.69 |
Thursday, April 28 |
Event #15: $7,000 Late PKO Freezeout |
$33 |
295 |
295 |
$8,850 |
raphaelvgc |
Brazil |
$1,712.65 |
Friday, April 29 |
Event #16: $25,000 Knockout |
$88 |
300 |
358 |
$28,640 |
Vamzdys123 |
N/A |
$4,494.21 |
Friday, April 29 |
Event #17: $15,000 Mini Knockout |
$22 |
672 |
831 |
$16,620 |
mrlogik |
Denmark |
$2,061.04 |
Friday, April 29 |
Event #18: $10,000 Late Knockout |
$33 |
342 |
402 |
$12,060 |
stockfish9 |
Uruguay |
$1,849.97 |
Saturday, April 30 |
Event #19: $30,000 PKO 6-Max |
$109 |
282 |
342 |
$34,200 |
RespectUA |
Ukraine |
$7,150.48 |
Saturday, April 30 |
Event #20: $12,000 Mini PKO 6-Max |
$16.50 |
707 |
894 |
$13,410 |
Dworgis |
Sweden |
$2,104.68 |
Saturday, April 30 |
Event #21: $10,000 Late PKO 6-Max |
$33 |
313 |
378 |
$11,340 |
Bromista |
Mexico |
$1,958.74 |
Sunday, May 1 |
Event #22: $150,000 Tune Up PKO |
$160 |
783 |
958 |
$150,000 |
RaPaPaPaPam |
Ukraine |
$20,885.57 |
Sunday, May 1 |
Event #23: $25,000 Mini Tune Up PKO |
$22 |
1176 |
1,462 |
$29,240 |
Machidon7 |
Romania |
$3,026.14 |
Sunday, May 1 |
Event #24: $15,000 Late Tune Up PKO |
$55 |
389 |
465 |
$23,250 |
eganomakeup |
Montenegro |
$4,462.33 |
Monday, May 2 |
Event #25: $8,000 PKOmaha 6-Max |
$55 |
104 |
130 |
$8,000 |
ObisNutrank |
Sweden |
$2,024.36 |
Monday, May 2 |
Event #26: $3,000 Mini PKOmaha 6-Max |
$11 |
190 |
256 |
$3,000 |
Shaunykins |
United Kingdom |
$595.05 |
Monday, May 2 |
Event #27: $5,000 Late PKOmaha 6-Max |
$33 |
93 |
113 |
$5,000 |
Donkplayer19 |
Germany |
$1,259.81 |
Tuesday, May 3 |
Event #28: $30,000 Super Knockout |
$160 |
176 |
206 |
$30,900 |
GUDIAS |
Brazil |
$4,438.95 |
Tuesday, May 3 |
Event #29: $15,000 Mini Super Knockout |
$22 |
583 |
725 |
$15,000 |
marcio181810 |
Brazil |
$1,461.04 |
Tuesday, May 3 |
Event #30: $10,000 Late Super Knockout |
$55 |
219 |
249 |
$12,450 |
Machidon7 |
Romania |
$1,321.72 |
Wednesday, May 4 |
Event #31: $30,000 PKO 8-Max |
$109 |
288 |
341 |
$34,100 |
FishermanI95 |
Romania |
$6,506.31 |
Wednesday, May 4 |
Event #32: $12,000 Mini PKO 8-Max |
$16.50 |
636 |
842 |
$12,630 |
Josieviolet |
Canada |
$1,874.61 |
Wednesday, May 4 |
Event #33: $10,000 Late PKO 8-Max |
$33 |
292 |
363 |
$10,890 |
checheee |
Romania |
$2,033.05 |
Thursday, May 5 |
Event #34: $25,000 PKO Freezeout |
$215 |
191 |
191 |
$38,200 |
geniuspoker |
Germany |
$6,708.31 |
Thursday, May 5 |
Event #35: $10,000 Mini PKO Freezeout |
$55 |
313 |
313 |
$15,650 |
IH888U |
Germany |
$2,698.19 |
Thursday, May 5 |
Event #36: $7,000 Late PKO Freezeout |
$33 |
290 |
290 |
$8,700 |
CarlJohnson1 |
Mexico |
$1,550.72 |
Friday, May 6 |
Event #37: $25,000 Knockout |
$88 |
314 |
370 |
$29,600 |
dmnln |
Malta |
$4,502.38 |
Friday, May 6 |
Event #38: $15,000 Mini Knockout |
$22 |
596 |
733 |
$15,000 |
AlexAbiFfm |
Germany |
$2,041.46 |
Friday, May 6 |
Event #39: $10,000 Late Knockout |
$33 |
309 |
362 |
$10,860 |
dodyhp |
Romania |
$1,668.36 |
Saturday, May 7 |
Event #40: $30,000 PKO 6-Max |
$109 |
284 |
334 |
$33,400 |
TalgatMyBrat |
Kazakhstan |
$6,929.67 |
Saturday, May 7 |
Event #41: $12,000 Mini PKO 6-Max |
$16.50 |
686 |
850 |
$12,750 |
AngryOgr |
Ukraine |
$1,750.97 |
Saturday, May 7 |
Event #42: $10,000 Late PKO 6-Max |
$33 |
292 |
352 |
$10,560 |
KpuK_gyLLLu |
Ukraine |
$1,871.24 |
Sunday, May 8 |
Event #43: $300,000 Main Event PKO |
$215 |
1420 |
1,658 |
$331,600 |
Luckyguy62 |
Canada |
$40,515.76 |
Sunday, May 8 |
Event #44: $50,000 Mini Main PKO |
$55 |
1,107 |
1,343 |
$67,150 |
Brunsonskid |
N/A |
$10,143.15 |
Something Else You Should Know
We’re bringing out the sunshine in May as we head to the next 888poker LIVE stop – Barcelona, the cosmopolitan capital of Catalonia, Spain!
The latest 888poker LIVE Festival will run from 12 through 23 May, with the €1,100 buy-in Main Event capping things off from 19 - 23 May.
We’ll be welcoming the whole team of 888poker Ambassadors and Streamers, along with special guests.
This event will be kicked up a notch as 888poker celebrates 20 years of prominence in the poker industry.
And adding the stature of the festival, we’ve included a prestigious €5,300 buy-in High Roller tournament to up the ante.