A single $5 buy-in transformed into a seven-figure payout for one lucky PokerStars player last Friday, October 25th. This Spin & Go surprise left Belarus-based player ‘Zherminal’ walking away with a million-dollar prize, showcasing just how massive the potential payouts can be in this fast-paced format.
Read on to uncover the details of this life-changing Spin & Go win and how the format is evolving to bring these quickfire games to live audiences.
Zherminal’s Million-Dollar Journey
In an astonishing display of poker luck, ‘Zherminal’ queued up for a standard $5 Spin & Go game, expecting the usual rapid three-player setup.
Instead, he found himself and his opponents, ‘derom01’ and ‘mari_farah15,’ contending for the top-tier 240,000x multiplier prize: $1,000,000 for the winner, with $120,000 and $80,000 guaranteed for the second and third finishers, respectively. With each player securing a significant payout, the tournament transformed into a high-stakes showdown.
The game reached its peak during heads-up play between ‘Zherminal’ and ‘derom01.’ In the final hand, both players shoved their chips on a 6♥ 8♠ 7♦ flop. ‘Zherminal’ revealed 9♥ 10♣ for a flopped straight, while ‘derom01’ held J♠ 4♠, leaving him with flush outs. But with a 3♦ turn and 2♥ river, ‘Zherminal’ clinched the win, his straight holding to secure the $1,000,000 top prize.
With this monumental win, ‘Zherminal’ became the 45th player to join PokerStars’ roster of Spin & Go millionaires. After recording over a million hands on the platform, his dedication to the format paid off, proving that even low buy-ins can lead to massive rewards.
Spin & Go’s Evolution to Live Play
Traditionally an online format, Spin & Go tournaments rarely bring the fanfare of live events — there are no final tables, cheering crowds, or photos of players hoisting trophies. PokerStars is poised to change all that at the upcoming European Poker Tour (EPT) Prague, where the first-ever Spin & Go World Championship will make its debut from December 4th to December 15th.
Testing the Format in Barcelona
The concept of a live Spin & Go tournament took root earlier this year at EPT Barcelona. PokerStars brought 27 Spin & Go players to the tables, giving them a taste of live tournament play.
This trial event followed standard Spin & Go rules — short stacks, quick levels, and a first-to-five-wins advancement structure, where players navigated through a series of 3-handed tables. Though well received, one crucial element was missing: Spin & Go’s hallmark randomized prize pools.
What to Expect at EPT Prague
Armed with feedback from the Barcelona trial, PokerStars has prepared a more immersive experience for Prague. Here’s the rundown:
- 81 Players: Qualifiers from online Spin & Go events will comprise the starting lineup of this championship, organized into 3-handed tables.
- Advancement by Wins: Players will advance through rounds by being the first to reach five wins on each table.
- Randomized Prizes: As a nod to the format’s roots, each advancing player will draw from prize envelopes, revealing the reward for the table’s winner. This setup, akin to mystery bounty tournaments, promises escalating prize amounts as the tournament progresses, with players kept informed of remaining prizes to up the anticipation.
- Tournament Structure: The Spin & Go World Championship will play out over two days, culminating in a final table of three players.
The addition of mystery prizes brings back the high variance and unpredictability that Spin & Go fans love, while also providing players the spotlight they often miss in online play.
PokerStars sees this as a starting point, with player feedback shaping future iterations and potential expansions to other EPT stops.
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