Brazil: poker player turns $11 into $1.2m

The player wins big by beating 93,000 entrants to claim the top prize in the PokerStars Sunday Million tournament.

Brazil.- A man from Brazil has turned $11 into $1.2million after a successful online poker tournament saw him win big.

Alex Brito (AAAArthur), 38, joined the PokerStars Sunday Million tournament via satellite for an $11 entry, eventually earning a seat at the final table of nine with the shortest stack after a record-breaking field of 93,016 entrants.

He originally started with a $0.25 Spin & Go, which he won before using his winnings to enter a $4 satellite, which he also won. From there, he entered into an $11 satellite with 100 seats guaranteed. He won one of those too.

“I’ve always been fascinated by this sport,” he told PokerStars. “I’ve always loved card games, but due to the rush of everyday life, I could never play as often as I wanted to.

“Every hand was so important. Looking back, I’m very proud of my game. I think I managed my aggression well, and I put on a lot of pressure with some hands.

“Believe me, you must never give up. I’m an example. I’m just an aspiring poker player, a recreational player who has now managed to change life for his family thanks to poker.

“When we face our problems and the mistakes we’ve made, we learn and become better people. Even when life is rough, you have to stand up and be happy.

“One day the storm will pass, and everything will fit.”

Due to the current Coronavirus pandemic, online poker is currently seeing a spike inactive users.