PokerStars’ 13th Anniversary Sunday Million proved to be a success in more ways than one after China’s wangli0402 scooped the title.
Putting up a $10 million prizepool to celebrate the MTT’s 13th birthday, PokerStars collected 61,342 entries.
With each entry costing $215, the final prizepool broke the $12 million mark, meaning the eventual winner would bank $1 million.
Timing is Everything
As is often the case with these events, a deal was never far from the minds of those at the final table. This year it took four eliminations before the players agreed to a chop .
Taking out two of the nine finalists, idzake secured $509,664 for his efforts. However, after stealing the chip leading with kings against idzake’s jacks, t4rz4n_21 locked up the biggest share of the pot.
That turned out to be the best move at the final table as t4rz4n_21 crashed out in fifth after banking $625,073.
Securing almost $400,000 more than they would have done, Greek grinder t4rz4n_21 won’t have been too upset as he watched wangli0402 take the win.
As the rest of the field fell away, the Chinese pro edged into the lead. By the time only xbambi remained, wangli0402 won the memorable Sunday Million title in just three hands.
In the end, a 5♥T♣4♦ flop provided the event’s defining moment. With pocket aces in hand, xbambi moved all-in.
Holding the chip lead and an open-ended straight draw, wangli0402 called. The 3♦ soon followed, meaning wangli0402’s 7♣6♠ was unbeatable.
After the inconsequential river fell, the final pot and the Sunday Million title were pushed wangli0402’s way.
13th Anniversary PokerStars Sunday Million Result
- wangli0402 – $611,944*
- xbambi – $550,689*
- idzake$509,664*
- kacer148 – $520,535*
- t4rz4n_21 – $625,073*
- pantherwang2019 – $177,477
- sega1989 – $125,493
- RMarland – $88,737
- Z0MbiE2808 – $62,745
*Denotes a deal.
Sunday Million Steals Another Victory
In closing the book on another marque MTT, PokerStars celebrated another high. Although this year’s event couldn’t top 2011’s record-breaking 62,116 entries, it now stands as the second largest Sunday Million of all time.
Moreover, wangli0402’s win represents its strength as a global brand. Despite regulatory issues in China, PokerStars remains a popular site across Asia.
With wangli0402 taking down one of the largest online poker tournament ever hosted, it should bolster PokerStars’ profile across the region.
What’s more, the latest Sunday Million will be seen as another successful shot at Partypoker. With the two operators going back-and-forth this year, any victory is significant.
For PokerStars, hosting another major event will be seen as a win.
In fact, with a potentially record setting SCOOP and its 200 billionth hand celebration on the horizon, the market leader has arguably regained the upper-hand in recent weeks.
