2022 WSOP Online: Simon Mattsson ships Main Event, Kannapong Thanarattrakul 2nd, Feng Zhao 3rd; two golds for Claas Segebrecht; Ewald Mahr wins first for Peru

On August 14 to September 27, Natural8-GGNet was buzzing with action as players hunted down World Series of Poker Online bracelets. Last night, the festival concluded with the highly coveted Main Event title and gold claimed by Swedish online star Simon Eric Mattsson for a monster takedown of $2.79 Million. Also walking away with life changing seven figures were runner up Thai pro Kannapong Thanarattrakul “Sakooh”, Singapore’s Feng Zhao “dynastyzhao” (3rd), and Finland’s Samuel Vousden (4th).

The 2022 WSOP Online [International] awarded a total of 33 bracelets across 45 days. The opening half saw Pete Chen and Jonas Lauck capture career second golds while Markus Prinz and Scott Ball Jr were the first to collect seven figures.

The second half witnessed the rise of Germany’s Claas Segebrecht who was the only player to win two bracelet events at the series. In fact, Germany came out very strong, picking up a whopping six titles, the most by any flag. Other players that outshined were China’s Ren Lin “Zha Zi Long” who matched up to Segebrecht with four final tables, and Ewald Mahr who gave Peru its first ever WSOP gold bracelet.

Here are the highlights of the second half.

Festival review

Bracelet 1 – 33 prize pool: US$ 86,472,093
Total entries: 130,311
Asia winners: Pete Chen (Taiwan), Huanhua Long (China)
Seven figure payouts: Simon Eric Mattsson ($2,793,574), Kannapong Thanarattrakul ($2,094,884), Feng Zhao ($1,570,941), Markus Prinz ($1,188,097), Samuel Vousden ($1,178,040), Scott Ball Jr ($1,001,694)
Main Event: 4,984 entries, US$ 23,674,000 prize pool
Main Event champion: Simon Eric Mattsson
Largest field: Mystery Bounty – 51,003 entries
Two wins: Claas Segebrecht – Event 2: Every1 for War Relief; Event 31: Beat the Pros Bounty (Freezeout)
Career third bracelet: Mark Radoja
Career second bracelet: Jonas Lauck, Pete Chen, Claas Segebrecht
Four final tables: Ren Lin (China), Claas Segebrecht (Germany)
Natural8 Team Bling Sponsorship: Stefan Schillhabel ($5,000), David Yan ($10,000), Pete Chen ($5,000)
Bracelets by Flag: Germany (6), Spain (3), Brazil (2), France (2), Finland (2), Canada (2), USA (2), Sweden (1), Italy (1), Belgium (1), Bulgaria (1), New Zealand (1), Russia (1), Taiwan (1), Peru (1), Portugal (1), Ireland (1), Hong Kong (1), Colombia (1), Netherlands (1), Greece (1)

Highlights and results

Swedish online star Simon Mattsson ships the Main Event for $2.79 Million

Coming into the final table, Swedish online star Simon Eric Mattsson was a big favorite to win the Main Event and he didn’t disappoint. Mattsson eliminated the last two players blocking his way, Singapore’s Feng Zhao (3rd) and Thailand’s Kannapong Thanarattrakul (runner up) to seize the title, the coveted gold bracelet, and the series’ largest first prize of US$ 2,793,574.

In its third consecutive year, the WSOP Online [International] Main Event drew 4,984 entries to more than exceed the proposed $20M guarantee. From the nine qualifying heats, 815 players advanced for a chance at the now bloated US$ 23,674,000 prize pool. 500 players earned a cut, among the top 100 were well known pros and Asia-Pacific players: 2020 champion Damian Salas, Yuri Dzivielevski (85th), Ren Lin (82nd), newly minted David Yan (79th), Hun Wei Lee (59th), Niklas Astedt (29th), and Joseph Cheong who missed the final table by two spots in 11th place.

The final table rolled in with one bracelet holder in Samuel Vousden who was seeking his second gold while all the rest were looking to secure their first. Three Asians were in the lineup – Thanarattrakul, Zhao, and China’s Yanfei Chi. Up top was Mattsson with a sizable chip advantage.

Early action was dominated by the Asians with Zhao sending shortest stacked Timothy Rutherford out in 9th place. Thanarattrakul delivered the next two, eliminating Oliver James Sprason (8th) and Jordan Spurlin (7th) in back to back fashion. Zhao nearly joined the rail but got extremely lucky when his spiked the two outer to survive Chi’s . The loss sent Chi plunging with the rest of his chips eventually claimed by Vousden.

At five remaining, Istvan Briski ran into Zhao’s aces. In a stunning move, Vousden three-bet shoved on the big blind with , initial raiser button player Thanarattrakul called with . The board favored the suited cards as it quickly spread three spades on the flop. Vousden was out 4th and claimed the first seven digit payout of US$ 1,178,040. This was Vousden’s largest ever career score.

With the added chips, Thanarattrakul zoomed to the top however it didn’t last. Mattsson scooped a big pot against Zhao with a full house over top pair to regain command then sent Zhao out in 3rd place shortly after. This was another impressive result for Zhao who earned his first ever seven figure payout of US$ 1,570,941. Last November, he nearly locked up a bracelet at the WSOPE falling runner up at the PLO 8-Handed event.

It was a one-sided heads up. Despite Thanarattrakul’s attempts, Mattsson widened his lead. The final hand saw a board complete , Thanarattrakul shoved the river holding top pair, Mattsson had him way beat with a victorious straight. The gold may have slipped away from the Thai pro but Thanarattrakul still earned a mammoth chunk of US$ 2,094,884. He well surpassed his recent 3rd place finish at the Triton SHR Series Cyprus $50K NLH 6-Handed where he pocketed a then career high $646,500. As for the champion Mattsson, he bumped up his GGNet tournament winnings to over $10.8 Million.

Buy in: US$ 5,000
Guarantee: US$ 20,000,000
Entries: 4,984
Prize pool: US$ 23,674,000
ITM: 500 places

Final table payouts

Germany’s Claas Segebrecht locks up two bracelets

Undoubtedly one of the top performers of the series was Germany’s Claas Segebrecht, the only player to lock up two bracelets. On opening day, Segebrecht championed Event #2: Every1 for War Relief for his first ever career bracelet, then weeks later at closing, he topped Event #31: Beat the Pros Bounty [Freezeout]. Each win earned him six figures for a combined US$ 264,167.

The largest of the two payouts was at the later event where he eliminated multiple players to collect US$ 107,670 in bounty rewards and an extra US$ 54,315 for his win. Among Segebrecht’s knockouts were Matheus Luis (8th) with pocket Aces cracked by a rivered two pair, Shenqiang Peng “Peng888” (3rd) with pocket Fours cracking Tens, and Naomie Haddad (2nd) with pocket Nines holding firm against overcards. In addition, the two-time champion also reached two other final tables falling 5th at the Flip & GO and 3rd at CRAZY EIGHTS.

Buy in: US$ 1,050
Entries: 1,318
Prize pool: US$ 1,318,000
ITM: 188 places

Final table payouts

Ren Lin “Zha Zi Long” reaches four final tables

Aside from two time series winner Segebrecht, China’s Ren Lin “Zha Zi Long” also closed out the series with four final tables and nearly won one of them. On opening week, Lin finished 8th at Event #3: $2,500 Limit Holdém Championship, two weeks later, he placed 7th at Event #15: $777 Lucky Sevens Bounty 7-Handed NLH, then five days after, he raced up to 2nd place at Event #19: $5K Pot Limit Omaha Championship. His fourth final table was at Event #26: $1K Double Chance NLH where he took 9th. Whether it’s live or online, Lin seems to be due for a WSOP title. In 2021, he came close to a bracelet twice, finishing 2nd at the $50K High Roller NLH and 3rd at the $5K Freezeout NLH 8-Handed.

Germany lifts the most bracelets

German players meant business at the series, capturing six of the 33 bracelets on offer. Setting the trend were opening day winners Stefan Schillhabel who shipped Event #1: The Housewarming No Limit Hold’em and Claas Segebrecht who championed Event #2: Every1 for War Relief. These were career first bracelets for both players. Days later, countryman Jonas Lauck followed with a victory at Event #6: Monster Stack NLH to earn his career second. The fourth gold was picked up at one of the most sought after events, The Millionaire Maker, with Markus Prinz bringing it home along with a burning seven digit payout. On closing week, Segebrecht clinched his second bracelet at Event #31: Beat the Pros Bounty [Freezeout] and Marc Radgen “Pelinkovac89” was minted at Event #32: The Closer NLH.

Asia Winners and runner-ups

Asian players were big threats at many of the events. Nine of them faced off for the gold with only two players rising victorious. Highly decorated N8 Team Hot ambassador Yenhan Chen aka Pete Chen was the first to rein it in. Chen brought Taiwan its fourth gold bracelet which he locked up at Event #15: $777 Lucky Sevens Bounty 7-Handed NLH. This was Chen’s career second WSOP title.

The second Asian champion emerged at Event #21: Ladies No Limit Hold’em Championship. Hong Kong’s Huanhua Long “King-Dong” went the distance defeating the more experienced Canadian pro Vanessa Kade ”Niffler” at heads up. This was Long’s first ever WSOP victory following in the footsteps of two time winner Anson Tsang, Danny Tang, and Chan Lok Ming.

Buy in: US$ 500
Entries: 362
Prize pool: US$ 171,950
ITM: 62 places

Final table payouts

Among the players that just missed the gold by one spot was Thailand’s Kannapong Thanarattrakul who fell to Sweden’s Simon Eric Mattsson for the Main Event title. While Thanarattrakul was the last Asian to go that deep, on the opposite end, the first Asian to reach heads up was Hong Kong’s Jifeng Huang “Snakey” at the Event #3: Limit Hold’em Championship. Full list of Asia runner ups below:

Kannapong Thanarattrakul “Sakooh” – Event #33: MAIN EVENT
Jifeng Huang “Snakey” – Event #3: Limit Hold’em Championship
Weichao Zhang “ZWC8794” – Event #5: $315 6-Handed Bounty NLH
Hyunsup Kim “dipper27” – Event #7: Million Dollar Mystery Bounty
Zhewen Hu – Event #12: Super MILLION$ High Roller NLH
Ren Lin “Zhao Zi Long” – Event #19: $5K Pot Limit Omaha Championship
Naomie Haddad “zachycorcor” – Event #31: Beat the Pros [Freezeout]

Ewald Mahr gives Peru its first ever WSOP bracelet

Ewald Mahr “PAUPAU” may not have that many live cashes nor online cashes under his belt but his name is now etched in history. Mahr topped Event #19: Flip and GO to become the first player from Peru to win a WSOP gold bracelet. The Peruvian overcame a tough final table that included bracelet winners Claas Segebrecht and Christopher Klodnicki.

Buy in: US$ 100
Entries: 13,719
Prize pool: US$ 1,303,305
ITM: 630 places

Final table payouts

Mark Radoja wins career third bracelet at Fifty Stack Bounty NLH

After nine years of hunting, Canadian pro Mark Radoja finally locked up his career third WSOP bracelet. Radoja won his first series gold back at the 2011 WSOP $5K NLH Shootout event which he followed up with another win two years later at the 2013 WSOP $10K NLH Heads Up Championship. Since then, he has been chasing gold #3, and nearly secured it at the 2019 WSOP $888 Crazy Eights event where he placed 2nd. In 2021, Radoja came close again, landing two WSOP Online final tables. Last week, his hopes of glory finally materialized with a victory at Event #27: Fifty Stack Bounty NLH. With this win, Radoja has breached $3 Million in WSOP earnings.

The Fifty Stack Bounty NLH was the 27th bracelet event on the roster. 1,597 jumped in for a prize pool generating US$ 2,275,725. Radoja was the only WSOP decorated player at the final table. Two players from Asia were among the finalists: India’s Shardul Parthasarathi with an 8th place finish and Hong Kong’s Fengli He in 9th place. This was Shardul’s second deep run having just missed the final table at Event #24: $2,100 Bounty NLH Championship with a 10th place finish.

Buy in: US$ 1,500
Entries: 1,597
Prize pool: US$ 2,275,725
ITM: 224 places

Final table payouts

Colossus draws massive field, Ourania Zarkantzia ships for US$ 378.5K

The COLOSSUS event always brings everyone out of the woodwork and for this edition 10,090 came out to smash the $3M guarantee. Out of the 1,100 players that shaked down the US$ 3,793,840 pot, the prime chunk went to Greek player Ourania Zarkantzia “SlimLady” who turned his $400 buy in into a huge $378,507 payout. Based on Zarkantzia’s GGNet stats, this win seemed destined. Since May 2022, he has been raking in wins across different buy in tiers and field sizes. In late-July, Zarkantzia won the High Roller GGMasters for $116,197 which was his largest network score until this bracelet triumph. He became the 10th player from Greece to bring home a WSOP bracelet.

Buy in: US$ 400
Guarantee: US$ 3,000,000
Entries: 10,090
Prize pool: US$ 3,793,840
ITM: 1,100 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #23: PLOSSUS – JOSE CASTILLO – US$ 144,286

Buy in: US$ 400
Guarantee: US$ 1,000,000
Entries: 3,850
Prize pool: US$ 1,463,000
ITM: 400 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #19: $5K Pot Limit Omaha Championship – RUI NEVES FERREIRA – US$ 287,736

Portuguese pro Rui Neves Ferreira has been on fire these past two months. Late August, Ferreira shipped the EPT Barcelona €10,300 NLH High Roller for a career high €767,750 (~US$ 772,454). Two weeks after, he bested a loaded field of fellow pros at the WSOP Online $5K Pot Limit Omaha Championship to earn another title and his first ever WSOP bracelet. The title came down between Ferreira and China’s Ren Lin “Zhao Zi Long” who was also on a hot streak. Ferreira prevailed and banked the $287,736 first prize. As a regular player on the GGNet, to date Ferreira has amassed US$ 7.95 Million in network tournament earnings.

Buy in: US$ 5,000
Entries: 272
Prize pool: US$ 1,292,000
ITM: 39 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #20: $888 Crazy Eights Bounty 8-Handed – SEAN PRENDIVILLE – US$ 151,678

Buy in: US$ 888
Entries: 1,922
Prize pool: US$ 1,621,399
ITM: 278 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #22: GGMasters HR Freezeout – MARIO NAVARRO – US$ 288,507

Buy in: US$ 1,050
Entries: 2,372
Prize pool: US$ 2,372,000
ITM: 395 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #24: $2,100 Bounty NLH Championship – HERNAN RESTREPO – US$ 171,121

Hernan Restrepo “Winner51” gave Colombia its second ever WSOP bracelet after winning the two-day $2,100 Bounty No Limit Hold’em Championship. Along with the gold, Restrepo picked up US$ 91,478 and collected US$ 79,643 in bounties for a career high US$ 171,121 payout.

The 24th bracelet event drew a total of 985 entries for a seven figure prize pool of US$ 1,970,000. The top 134 players earned a cut of the main pot. Among the money grabbers were Canadian online high stakes streamer Rayan Chamas “Beriuzy” (32nd) and 2020 WSOP Main Event champion Damian Salas (44th). Day 2 opened with 23 players back on the hunt. In just under two hours, the final table was reached with Asia’s last hope, Shardul Parthasarathi “tiltjam” falling in 10th place for a payout of over US$ 30K. Shardul is one of the fastest rising live tournament players from India.

After four bust outs, which included bracelet holder Gediminas Uselis (7th), Dutch player Duco Olivier Haven “WouldIlieToYOU” went on a rush, eliminating three players in succession to reach heads up against Restrepo. However, Haven’s momentum was put to a halt on a losing flush over flush which in turn gave Restrepo the edge. Restrepo widened the gap to 8:1 then closed it out with Ace-Ten beating King-Nine.

Buy in: U$ 2,100
Entries : 985
Prize pool : US$ 985,000
Bounty pool: US$ 985,000
ITM : 134 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #25: Superstack Turbo Bounty NLH – JONATHAN THERME – US$ 75,619

Buy in: US$ 315
Entries: 3,015
Prize pool: US$ 904,500
ITM: 134 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #26: Double Chance NLH – JANS ARENDS – US$ 129,745

Buy in: US$ 1,000
Entries: 1,177
Prize pool: US$ 1,012,890
ITM: 287 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #29: $5K Short Deck Championship – BENJAMIN MINER – US$ 172,678

USA’s Benjamin Miner outperformed his live WSOP run with seven total cashes at the online series, three of which were final tables finishes, and a bracelet victory. Miner came out on top of the $5K Short Deck Championship, outlasting the 145 entry field for a series high career payout of US$ 172,678. Among the players he bested was 2022 WSOP $10K Short Deck champion Shota Nakanishi who finished 10th.

Buy in: US$ 5,000
Entries: 145
Prize pool: US$ 688,750
ITM: 20 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #30: 6-Handed Bounty NLH – JONI JOUHKIMAINEN – US$ 146,006

After six final tables since 2013 and two runner up finishes in 2021, Finland’s Joni Jouhkimainen finally clasped the coveted gold bracelet. The Finnish pro outlasted the 2,024 entry field of Event #30: $840 6-Handed Bounty No Limit Hold’em , besting ring winner Rodrigo Semeghini “digopapel” (5th) and WPT India champion Ashish Munot ïmfish 007” (3rd). For Munot, it was one of the deepest runs by India in the series. The champion Jouhkimainen pocketed the cool US$ 66,004 first prize and collected a mountain of bounties worth US$ 80,062 for a combined US$ 146,006 payout.

Buy in: US$ 840
Entries: 2,024
Prize pool: US$ 1,619,200
ITM: 296 places

Final table payouts

Bracelet #32: The Closer NLH – MARC RADGEN – US$ 147,983

Buy in: US$ 400
Entries: 3,403
Prize pool: US$ 1,279,528
ITM: 539 places

Final table payouts