Satellite Qualifier AAAArthur Wins Record-Breaking PokerStars Sunday Million

March 25th, 2020 | by Greg Shaun

An $18,602,300 prizepool, 93,016 entries and a bunch of highlights but only one winner: satellite qualifier AAAArthur.

AAAArthur has banked more than $1.1 million after winning PokerStars’ record-breaking 14th Anniversary Sunday Million. (Image: PokerStars)

PokerStars’ 14^th Anniversary Sunday Million has delivered on all fronts this week. As well as standing as the biggest Sunday Million of all time, the $215 MTT now ranks as one of the largest online tournaments ever.

In among the highs, the highest one of all involved AAAArthur. Earning his place in the landmark event via an $11 satellite, the amateur took his biggest ever win from $90 to more than $1.1 million.

From Satellite Qualifier to Sunday Million Star

At the start of Day 3 on March 24, the Brazilian was floating in the middle of the pack. Flanked by a host of seasoned pros, AAAArthur would have considered any return on his investment a success.

However, as the session progressed, a fairytale ending became a reality. Things really took a turn for the better on the final table.

With 91 down to nine, AAAArthur struck first. By taking out Paulius “D3cor” Vaitiekunas, he was able to secure his position and avoid any fatal blows as those around him fell.

As the blinds increased, a four-way deal signaled the start of the end. AAAArthur secured the lion’s share of the remaining money and dominated from that point on.

Everyone Wins After PokerStars Sunday Million

Salonteskis and caroline2963 were first to fall after the restart before pocket deuces brought the anniversary Sunday Million to an end.

Pre-flop, AAAArthur raised from the small blind with pocket deuces. CrAzY_sTeFaN moved all-in with pocket fives and a call from AAAArthur set the community cards in motion.

As the board rolled out J♣J♦2♣A♦6♦, AAAArthur secured the win and a 10,843,654 percent return on his investment.

PokerStars 14^th Anniversary Sunday Million Result

AAAArthur (Brazil) $1,192,802*
Stefan “CrAzY_sTeFaN” Piele – $921,328*
Caroline2963 – $786,873*
salonteskis – $826,919*
AlexHoldz – $329,356
Marios “Jully-19” Mansour – $225,108
tweny1 – $153,854
Pokerfrance – $105,154
Paulius “D3cor” Vaitiekunas – $71,869

*Denotes a deal.

With that, the book closed on another successful anniversary Sunday Million. Although the new coronavirus pandemic is causing problems around the world, online poker is thriving.

As well as PokerStars’ weekly major enjoying a timely upswing, GGPoker and Grosvenor have seen numbers spike in recent days.

Thanks, in part, to the global lockdown, AAAArthur now stands as one of the biggest winners in online poker history. However, under the current circumstances, the success of the Sunday Million should be considered a win for the industry as a whole.