After almost 15 hours of poker, German player DrUPSWING won one of the largest prizes in online poker history this morning, collecting $1,038,540.31 for winning the PokerStars 8th Anniversary Sunday Million. It was an all-German heads-up affair, the runner-up hdjgkfkgsdl winning $877,090.19 in cash (and a PokerPlayer award for Worst Username In Poker) to reaffirm Germany’s grip as the undoubted leaders in world poker.
To celebrate the eighth anniversary of the landmark Sunday Million tournament PokerStars guaranteed a phenomenal $8m prizepool, and a guaranteed payout of at least $1m to the eventual winner. Any fears of a significant overlay were quickly dashed when an incredible 46,586 players all paid the $215 buy-in to create a $9,317,200 prizepool. PokerStars have to be commended for always pushing the envelope when it comes to original promotions and enormous prizepools that are often bigger than anywhere outside of the WSOP Main Event.
Many notable players had deep runs in the event including PokerPlayer Editorial Director Dave ‘kidunknown’ Woods (206th, $17,70.26), Nik ‘npenfold’ Persaud (17th, $44,349) and, most impressively, PokerPlayer strategy writer Patrick Leonard who made it all the way to the final table before getting unlucky to finish in 9th position. Still, it was a second $100k+ score for Leonard in the space of two weekends – he’s a player that should be watched on the world scene in 2014.
When the heads-up match between DrUPSWING and hdjgkfkgsdl began it was DrUPSWING who had a major chip lead and refused all talk of a deal. A few double-ups for hdjgkfkgsdl later however and the stacks were suddenly even. Both players now agreed to lock up a guaranteed $877,090.19 and play on for an additional $160k and the victory. After just a few hands it was all over when DrUPSWING’s Jd-2d hit the 2s-2h-Ah flop hard and managed to get all-in against hdjgkfkgsdl’s flush draw. A safe turn and river later and it was DrUPSWING who was crowned the winner of the biggest Sunday Million of all time.
A major victory for the German player and yet another feather in the cap of PokerStars who continue to put on incredible events for the poker world. Roll on the next Sunday Million Anniversary tournament!
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