The long-time high-roller is proving why skill at poker matters
The PokerStars New Year Series is currently underway after starting on December 24, with $35 million in guaranteed prizes up for grabs. The first of the 350-tournament series has drawn some big names in the 63 events already completed, with PokerStars ambassador Lex “L. Veldhuis” Veldhuis displaying his talents early on.
On the first day, Veldhuis was victorious in the $1,050 NLHE 8-Max PKO event for $24,220, including bounties. As he approached the finish line in that tournament, Veldhuis would also win the $320 NLHE 8-Max PKO to add another $12,863 to his total.
After his two straight wins to start the series, Veldhuis would run deep again, sitting third in chips at the start of Day 2 of the $2,024 NLHE 8-Max New Year Special and with an excellent chance to win the top prize of $79,374. However, he would end up in 15th place among the 211 entrants to bag another $6,389.
The $202.40 buy-in edition of the New Year Special granted the biggest payout so far in the New Year Series. The 3,392 players battled for their share of the $750,000 prize pool, with a three-way chop changing what should have been a $107,767 first-place prize.
Player “cardinals970” took third place for $74,969, slightly more than “99dm84” took home for finishing second. Felix “TheDegendFund” Van De Put finished with the top prize of $90,095.
With several huge events yet to be played, Van De Put’s winnings will be the biggest New Year Series score for just the next few days. Three No-Limit Hold ’em Main Events with guarantees between $1 million and $1.5 million begin on January 14. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Veldhuis have another deep run in any of those events.
