Only recently, PokerStars unveiled its huge $50 million guaranteed Anniversary Series, marking 25 years of online poker celebrations. However, before that major festival begins, attention is still on the ongoing $3 million guaranteed Mystery Bounty Series, which has already produced plenty of action since kicking off on April 26.
One of the early highlight events was Event #05, the $75 buy-in $350,000 guaranteed Sunday Special. As one of the biggest tournaments in the 55-event Mystery Bounty schedule (only behind the $500,000 Main Event), it quickly drew a massive player field and built a prize pool far beyond its guarantee.
By the end of late registration, the event had attracted 5,543 entries, creating a total prize pool of $377,921. Alongside regular payouts, players were also chasing 843 mystery bounty envelopes, each hiding random cash prizes ranging from small rewards to major five-figure scores. Several competitors managed to unlock $5,000 bounty envelopes, while one German player, “maniali,” walked away with more than $10,000 in bounty winnings despite finishing outside the final table.
As the tournament moved into its late stages, all attention turned to PokerStars ambassador Benjamin “Spraggy” Spragg. The well-known streamer was enjoying a strong run through the field and looked capable of going deep once again in a major poker tournament’s field. But the nature of high-variance Mystery Bounty events soon took over.
Spraggy’s turning point came in a key confrontation where he called a 10 big blind shove with pocket sevens, only to find himself up against pocket kings. Although he flopped a set, the runout dramatically shifted as his opponent improved to a higher set, leaving him severely short-stacked.
He briefly recovered with a double-up, but momentum quickly slipped away again. In his final hand, holding pocket tens from the small blind with just a couple of big blinds, he pushed all in. The big blind called with queen-five, and the board produced a shocking eight-high straight for his opponent, ending Spraggy’s run in heartbreaking fashion. His total cash-out stood at $754, including bounty rewards.
When the final table was formed, all nine players had already secured at least $2,530. The payouts continued to rise steadily with each elimination, with Malta’s “Tapiscalle” earning $11,103 for fourth place and the UK’s “StueyMcCluv” collecting $14,863 for third.
The heads-up battle was between “ABatian” from Belarus and “nvrwlkalone44” from Canada. After a strong closing performance, ABatian claimed the title and a total payout of $26,125, including bounties, while the runner-up took home $18,192.
Mystery Bounty Series Event #05 Final Results
- ABatian (Belarus) – $26,125
- nvrwlkalone44 (Canada)—$18,192
- StueyMcCluv (UK) – $14,863
- Tapiscalle? (Malta) – $11,103
- Odino4ka/o_O (Ukraine) – $7,832
- ENG.Brito (Brazil) – $5,456
- AlexGelinski (Brazil) – $4,614
- SeanCarson7 (UK) – $4,643
- Terry Meros (Germany) – $2,530
The Mystery Bounty Series continues through May 3, with two major closing tournaments still to come. The $11 Mini Main Event guarantees $100,000, while the $109 Main Event features a $500,000 guaranteed prize pool.
With satellites running across the lobby, players still have plenty of chances to qualify cheaply and chase big scores as the series heads toward its conclusion, delivering the same unpredictable excitement that makes poker tournaments so popular worldwide.
FAQS
1. What is the Mystery Bounty Sunday Special?
A $75 buy-in poker tournament with regular payouts plus mystery knockout bounties.
2. How did Spraggy exit the event?
He was eliminated after running into quad kings in a late-stage all-in.
3. What makes Mystery Bounty tournaments unique?
Players earn random cash rewards for each knockout, adding extra excitement.
4. What was the prize pool?
Around $377,921 from 5,543 entries.
5. Who won the event?
“ABatian” from Belarus won the title and $26,125 total winnings.
