Ian Simpson recently joined the ambassador ranks at 888poker and is already repaying the faith they have shown in him. The popular grinder finished second in the $55 buy-in $40,000 guaranteed Triple Threat PKO side event for $3,750 and Simpson hit the post against in the $50,000 PKO event. Surely that maiden victory while sporting the 888 colours is just around the corner?
A field of 172 players exchanged $320 for the chance to become the $50,000 PKO champion. The mathematicians among you will have already worked out that 172 players meant the guarantee was beaten and a $52,500 prize pool created.
"pajaro.com" and "Sly_81" were the first two players who were relieved of their stacks, and the only two finalists not to turn their $320 investment into at least four figures.
"AdrianoK222" and "Reggie_Degen" joined the list of busted players before 888poker regular "algsxr" of Canada bowed out in fifth; they banked $2,279 with bounties included.
Brazil's "AllanSheik" fell in fourth for $2,625 before "RonaldSleazy" crashed and burned in third for $4,734, leaving Simpson heads-up against Lithuania's "MoKr93." Try as he may, Simpson could not beat MoKr93, so had to make do with his second runner-up finish of the XL Spring Series, this one coming with $8,323 in prize money.
Congratulations to MoKr93 who becomes an XL Spring Series champion, and receives an impressive $12,383 for their efforts.
XL Spring #21 - $50,000 PKO Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize | Bounties | Total prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MoKr93 | Lithuania | $5,236 | $7,146 | $12,383 |
| 2 | Ian "Simpioni" Simpson | United Kingdom | $5,236 | $3,086 | $8,323 |
| 3 | RonaldSleazy | United Kingdom | $3,150 | $1,584 | $4,734 |
| 4 | AllanSheik | Brazil | $2,254 | $370 | $2,625 |
| 5 | algsxr | Canada | $1,585 | $693 | $2,279 |
| 6 | Reggie_Degen | Canada | $1,141 | $665 | $1,807 |
| 7 | AdrianoK222 | United Kingdom | $829 | $600 | $1,429 |
| 8 | Sly_81 | Germany | $606 | $328 | $934 |
| 9 | pajaro.com | Mexico | $443 | $393 | $837 |
Swede Dominate $20,000 Mini PKO Final Table
Players from Sweden made up three of the nine spots at the $20,000 Mini PKO final table so it was unsurprising to find a Swedish national sat at the top of the payout tree. "kalix30" came out on top of a 598-strong field and reeled in $4,557 of the $25,400 prize pool.
Kalix30's fellow Swede, "MorayEEEEEL," fell in fifth and collected $736, the last prize not to be over $1,000. "WHATaDREAM" of Brazil danced away with $1,150 after busting in fourth before Sweden's "Ove_Pipcorn" ran out of steam in third place for a $1,766 prize.
Heads-up saw kalix30 and "RonaldSleazy" lock horns, the latter having finished third in the $50,000 PKO event on the same evening. RonaldSleazy was eventually eliminated in second place for $2,275, which left kalix30 to pad their bankroll with $4,557.
XL Spring #22 - $20,000 Mini PKO Final Table Results
| Place | Player | Country | Prize | Bounties | Total prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | kalix30 | Sweden | $2,004 | $2,553 | $4,557 |
| 2 | RonaldSleazy | United Kingdom | $2,004 | $273 | $2,275 |
| 3 | Ove_Pipcorn | Sweden | $1,220 | $545 | $1,766 |
| 4 | WHATaDREAM | Brazil | $891 | $258 | $1,150 |
| 5 | MorayEEEEEL | Sweden | $656 | $79 | $736 |
| 6 | Snowronmoney | Germany | $482 | $187 | $670 |
| 7 | Barman3 | Cyprus | $356 | $426 | $783 |
| 8 | Tanetane1 | Finland | $265 | $181 | $446 |
| 9 | lbrarrossa | Brazil | $198 | $248 | $446 |
Other XL Spring Series Results
| Event | Buy-in | Entrants | Prize pool | Champion | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #23 - $20,000 Late PKO | $109 | 207 | $20,700 | simoneblondi | $4,040 |
| #24 - $30,000 PKO 8-Max | $109 | 331 | $33,100 | Franky4Four | $7,071 |
| #25 - $12,000 Mini PKO 8-Max | $16.50 | 922 | $13,830 | MisterJackBR | $2,001 |
| #26 - $10,000 Late PKO 8-Max | $33 | 389 | $11,670 | gerbereneu66 | $2,388 |
XL Spring Series Events Scheduled For June 2
Four XL Spring Series events are scheduled for June 2, up from the usual three. There are a trio of 6-Max PKO tournaments with buy-ins of $22, $55, and $215, in addition to an XL Spring Series Main Event Day 1 sandwiched between. The Main Event costs $250 to enter and has a $500,000 guarantee on its prize pool.
| Time (BST) | Event | Buy-in |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 p.m. | #27 - $25,000 PKO 6-Max | $215 |
| 8:00 p.m. | #28 - $20,000 Mini PKO 6-Max | $55 |
| 8:00 p.m. | #37 - $500,000 Main Event Day 1 | $250 |
| 9:00 p.m. | #29 - $10,000 Late PKO 6-Max | $22 |
