The XL Retro Series kicked off on 888poker back on October 9 and wrapped up on Tuesday after more than two weeks of intense action. The 27-event series catered to a combined 10,951 entrants and awarded $1,497,135 in prize money.

Players from Brazil have performed the best having captured an astounding seven titles, while Canadian players had six. The only other country to win multiple titles was Sweden with two.

 Players from Germany, Malta, Finland, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Lithuania, Mexico, the Netherlands, Montenegro, Ireland, and the United Kingdom all had one apiece.

The series awarded seven different five-figure first-place prizes, with the largest coming in the XL Retro Main Event.

raw_dawg Wins XL Retro Main Event for $70,164

raw_dawg Wins XL Retro Main Event for $70,164
raw_dawg Wins XL Retro Main Event for $70,164
 

Throughout the series, multiple flights were held for the $250 buy-in Main Event, which boasted a massive $500,000 guarantee. The tournament wound up attracting 2,162 entries (1,969 players with 193 rebuys), which surpassed the guarantee with a $508,070 prize pool.

On Monday, the 415 surviving players from each starting flight returned for Day 2 action. But with only 240 slated to pay out, 175 of them would leave empty handed.

Among those to fall before the money were the following –

  • Tom “sheeeeeeeeet” Hal
  • SOP bracelet winner Jerry “Perrymejsen” Odeen
  • 888poker StreamTeam member David “New_Dave” Gibson
  • Justin “LappyPoker” Lapka

After “beroduain” bubbled in 241st place, the in-the-money finishes mounted, including the following players –

  • “HyperX.” (194th place for $762.10)
  • 888poker Ambassador Vivi “Vivi.888.” Saliba (164th place for $812.91)
  • 888 StreamTeam members Nick “eastyyy22” Eastwood (94th place for $1,066.94) and Josh “Josh_Manley” Manley (57th place for $1,219.36)
  • Niklas “tutten7” Åstedt (92nd place for $1,066.94)
  • Nicolas “PKaiser” Fierro (49th place for $1,219.36)
  • “nlfreddie” (27th place for $1,829.05)
  • “Slovnyk” (14th place for $3,962.94)
  • Final table bubble boy “pereira132” (10th place for $5,182.31)

When the final table of nine was reached, play went on an overnight break. At the time, “raw_dawg” sat with the chip lead holding 4,523,512. Finalnd’s “mylly8” was in second with 3,945,831.

Brazil’s “Rochinh2011” was also over the three-million-chip mark with 3,157,162. Their fellow countryman “crizelda” was the only player under seven figures sitting on the short stack of 905,736.

raw_dawg sat with the chip lead holding 4,523,512
raw_dawg sat with the chip lead holding 4,523,512
 

On Tuesday, the final nine players returned to battle on a live-stream final table. Straight out of the gate, it was Brazil’s “kryingkid” who got off to a hot start, scoring two of the first four eliminations to vault into the chip lead.

With five players remaining, “DragoDanzig” got it in with ace-ten and was primed to double against the king-ten suited of “raw_dawg”. But the latter made a flush to score their first elimination of the day. They’d notch the next two as well to set up a “raw_dawg” versus “kryingkid” heads-up match.

It was a back-and-forth affair before things came to a head in Level 44 (200,000/400,000/50,000). That is when “raw_dawg” shoved with the 3♦3♠ and “kryingkid” called off holding the Q♦10♦.

It was a flip, but the at-risk player failed to connect as the board ran out K♠2♦4♠5♥5♣.

raw_dawg wins XL Retro Main Event
raw_dawg wins XL Retro Main Event
 

 “kryingkid” had to settle for second place and $51,213 in prize money. “raw_dawg” became the XL Retro Main Event champ and laid claim to the $70,164 first-place prize.

XL Retro Main Event Final Table Results

1st – “raw_dawg” (N/A) … $70,164

2nd – “kryingkid” (Brazil) … $51,213

3rd – “mylly8” (Finland) … $37,648

4th – “crizelda” (Brazil) … $27,893

5th – “DragoDanzig” (Finland) … $20,628

6th – “brubsb” (Brazil) … $15,395

7th – “Rochinh2011” (Brazil) … $11,533

8th – “Illraise8” (Canada) … $8,739

9th – “INFOsHOVE” (Sweden) … $6,656

StreamTeam’s Jordan BanfieldJ Banfield Wins Event 18

StreamTeam’s Jordan BanfieldJ Banfield Wins Event #18
StreamTeam’s Jordan BanfieldJ Banfield Wins Event #18
 

On Tuesday, October 18, the $320 buy-in, $20K GTD Event #18: Crocodile KO saw 75 players rebuy 11 times, resulting in a $25,800 prize pool. Each player featured a $75 bounty on their head, while the regular prize pool was reserved for the top dozen finishers.

Among those to compete but fail to cash were 888poker ambassador Ian “Simpioni” Simpson, “cherrywine”, and bubble boy “LHollanda”.

Those who cashed for $483.75 apiece but fell short of the final table were “vigge1111” (10th place), “Inflaatio” (11th place), and “la.creme” (12th place).

Not only was 888poker StreamTeam Member Jordan “BanfieldJ” Banfield at the final table, but he also made his way to heads-up play against Germany’s “DrAyip”.

After 6 hours and 13 minutes of play, Banfield got the job done to capture a $5,418.01 top prize plus $375 in bounties for a total payout of $5,793.01.

XL Retro Event #18 Final Table Results

Jordan Banfeld Wins XL Retro Crocodile KO
Jordan Banfeld Wins XL Retro Crocodile KO
 

1st – Jordan “BanfieldJ” Banfield (Canada) … $5,793.01

2nd – “DrAyip” (Germany) … $4,293.45

3rd – “sk8erisz” (Lithuania) … $3,079.20

4th – “R2Rka” (Ukraine) … $2,232.60

5th – “Svinth” (Denmark) … $1,729.50

6th – “bettyordiane” (United Kingdom) … $1,240.87

7th – “Ribaldo” (Monte Negro) … $1,197.37

8th – “Korpisoturi2” (Finland) … $677.25

9th – “Sue.1979” (United Kingdom) … $655.50

In other Tuesday news, the $33 buy-in, $8,000 GTD Event #19: Big Fish KO squeaked by its guarantee as 260 players rebought 27 times to generate a $8,610 prize pool.

After nearly six hours of play, Brazilian player “Th3PuDa” claimed the title for $13,84.22 and Brazil’s seventh title of the XL Retro series!

Canada’s leblond1996 Binks Crocodile PKO 8-Max

Canada’s leblond1996 Binks Crocodile PKO 8-Max
Canada’s leblond1996 Binks Crocodile PKO 8-Max
 

On Thursday, October 20, the $320 buy-in Event #22: $20,000 Crocodile PKO 8-Max had 79 players rebuy eight times, which meant a $26,100 prize pool was up for grabs. That was split between the regular and PKO pools, with the top dozen finishers getting a piece of the former.

Among those to make the money but fall short of the official final table were the following –

  • “The_Hoff_Man” (12th place for $358.87 + $637.50 in bounties)
  • “dmg34” (11th place for $358.87 + $412.50 in bounties)
  • “IHaveNoBoss” (10th place for $358.87 + $206.25 in bounties)
  • “IlovePickles” (9th place for $358.87 + $300 in bounties)

Canada’s “leblond1996” and Ukraine’s “Kostya_jock” each locked up $2,985.88 in prize money by making it to heads-up play. But awaiting the winner was an even-bigger $4,621.87 PKO bounty.

After 5 hours and 34 minutes, the Canadian prevailed for a total payday of $7,607.75.

XL Retro Event #22 Final Table Results

1st – “leblond1996” (Canada) … $7,607.75

2nd – “Kostya_jack” (Ukraine) … $4,072.03

3rd – “R2Rka” (Ukraine) … $2,398.88

4th – “GetInTheBin” (United Kingdom) … $1,671

5th – “MAKKAPAKKK” (United Kingdom) … $1,344.75

6th – “chrisfrimodt” (Denmark) … $835.12

7th – “idkhtp” (N/A) … $892.12

8th – “Limitfisher” (Ukraine) … $874.12

raisebot Claims Volcano Title for the Netherlands

raisebot Claims Volcano Title for the Netherlands
raisebot Claims Volcano Title for the Netherlands
 

On Saturday, October 22, the $1,050 buy-in, $45K GTD Event #23: Volcano attracted 35 players who accounted for three rebuys. The $45,000 prize pool was reserved for the top six finishers, and among those to compete but fall short of a cash were “Destroyer300”, Niklas “tutten7” Åstedt, and bubble boy “Inflaatio”, just to name a few.

It took ten minutes shy of the five-hour mark for a winner to emerge, and it happened when the Netherlands’ “raisebot” bested Ukraine’s “feerofeero” in heads-up play. Ther former received $16,650 for the victory, while the latter had to settle for a $11,250 consolation prize.

XL Retro Event #23 Final Table Results

1st – “raisebot” (Netherlands) … $16,650

2nd – “feerofeero” (Ukraine) … $11,250

3rd – “Limitfisher” (Ukraine) … $6,750

4th – “beebsterizer” (Canada) … $4,500

5th – “DGrignon” (Netherlands) … $3,150

6th – “3AHYDA” (Mexico) … $2,700

Ireland’s 9salute46 Takes Down Super High Roller

Ireland’s 9salute46 Takes Down Super High Roller
Ireland’s 9salute46 Takes Down Super High Roller
 

On Sunday, October 23, the biggest buy-in of the XL Retro Series took place. The $2,100 buy-in, $150K GTD Event #26: Super High Roller 8-Max attracted 59 players who rebought 14 time. So, the final table of eight players would each receive a portion of the $150,000 prize pool.

Among those to compete but fall short of cashing were the following –

  • “Matas.C”, “sheeeeeeeeet”
  • 888poker Ambassadors Ian “Simpioni” Simpson and Vivian “Vivi.888.” Saliba
  • “SpielerKind”
  • 888poker StreamTeam Member Jordan “BanfieldJ” Banfield

After “idkhtp” bubbled in ninth place, some familiar names cashed the tournament including,“bettyordiane” (7th place for $6,750), “BetBetFck” (4th place for $15,000), and “FranciscoAI” (3rd place for $22,500).

In the end, Ireland’s “9salute46” defeated Ukraine’s “feerofeero” in heads-up play to win the tournament outright for $48,750. It was the second day in a row that the Ukrainian finished in second place.

On Saturday, “feerofeero” finished as runner-up in the $1,050 buy-in, $45K GTD Event #23: Volcano, good for $11,250.

XL Retro Event #26 Final Table Results

1st – “9salute46” (Ireland) … $48,750

2nd – “feerofeero” (Ukraine) … $31,500

3rd – “FranciscoAI” (Brazil) … $22,500

4th – “BetBetFck” (Ukraine) … $15,000

5th – “sk8erisz” (Lithuania) … $11,250

6th – “matokr” (N/A) … $8,250

7th – “bettyordiane” (United Kingdom) … $6,750

8th – “dadude50” (N/A) … $6,000

2022 XL Retro Series Winners

Date

Tournament

Buy-In

Total

Entries

Prize Pool

Winner

Country

Prize

Sunday,

October 9

Event #1: $120,000

Mega Deep Opening Event

$109

1162

$120,000

"ZackSteffen"

Germany

$17,532

Sunday,

October 9

Event #2: $45,000

Whale Opening Event

$525

119

$59,500

"PotofGreed"

Malta

$14,660.80

Sunday,

October 9

Event #3: $15,000

Mini Mega Deep Opening Event

$33

639

$19,170

"kerkerian"

Canada

$3,316.88

Monday,

October 10

Event #4: $20,000

Tornado 8-Max

$109

240

$24,000

"StorValle"

Sweden

$5,220

Monday,

October 10

Event #5: $3,000

Blow Fish 8-Max

$11

531

$5,310

"Luks012"

Brazil

$1,009.14

Tuesday,

October 11

Event #6: $20,000

Crocodile PKO

$320

94

$28,200

"rantzi"

Finland

$6,776.81

Tuesday,

October 11

Event #7: $8,000

Sword Fish PKO

$33

432

$12,960

"Squadup902"

Canada

$2,118.59

Wednesday,

October 12

Event #8: $15,000

Lightning 6-Max

$109

179

$17,900

"Lhollanda"

Brazil

$4,654

Wednesday,

October 12

Event #9: $6,000

Mini Lightning 6-Max

$33

283

$8,490

Baburka22

Uzbekistan

$1,952.76

Thursday,

 October 13

Event #10: $20,000

Hurricane

$109

214

$21,400

"vaka123"

Ukraine

$4,797.88

Thursday,

 October 13

Event #11: $4,000

Catfish

$16.50

487

$7,305

"sousa1299"

Brazil

$1,336.49

Saturday,

October 15

Event #12: $45,000

Volcano PKO

$1,050

34

$45,000

"Destroyer300"

Lithuania

$18,005

Sunday,

October 16

Event #13: $200,000

 Mystery Bounty

$215

859

$200,000

"marllonsanti"

Brazil

$17,718.33

Sunday,

October 16

Event #14: $45,000

Whale 8-Max

$525

105

$52,500

"DonCamaron"

Mexico

$10,847.67

Sunday,

October 16

Event #15: $20,000

Mini Mystery Bounty

$33

949

$28,470

"julianopk10"

Brazil

$3,224.09

Monday,

October 17

Event #16: $15,000

Monsoon

$55

356

$17,800

"joaozinho9"

Brazil

$3,608.06

Monday,

October 17

Event #17: $3,000

Blow Fish

$11

482

$4,820

",pretender."

Canada

$787.05

Tuesday,

October 18

Event #18: $20,000

Crocodile KO

$320

86

$25,800

Jordan "BanfieldJ"

Banfield

Canada

$5,793.01

Tuesday,

October 18

Event #19: $8,000

Big Fish KO

$33

287

$8,610

"Th3PuDa"

Brazil

$1,384.22

Wednesday,

October 19

Event #20: $5,000

PLO 6-Max

$109

48

$5,000

"sasasa137"

Canada

$2,000

Wednesday,

October 19

Event #21: $1,500

Mini PLO 6-Max

$33

51

$1,530

"BuddyLuv"

United Kingdom

$459

Thursday,

October 20

Event #22: $20,000

Crocodile PKO 8-Max

$320

87

$26,100

"leblond1996"

Canada

$7,607.75

Saturday,

October 22

Event #23: $45,000

Volcano

$1,050

38

$45,000

"raisebot"

Netherlands

$16,650

Sunday,

October 23

Event #24: $30,000

Turbo Mega Deep PKO

$109

342

$34,200

"vigge1111"

Sweden

$6,932.34

Sunday,

October 23

Event #25: $20,000

Mini Mega Deep PKO

$33

612

$20,000

"eganomakeup"

Montenegro

$2,926.08

Sunday,

October 23

Event #26: $150,000

Super High Roller 8-Max

$2,100

73

$150,000

"9salute46"

Ireland

$48,750

Monday,

October 24

Event #27: $500,000

XL Retro Main Event

$250

2162

$508,070

"raw-dawg"

N/A

$70,165.55