In a summer-long, phased PKO spectacle, Belarusian grinder “AHTOCb” outlasted a staggering 55,444-entry field to capture the iconic trophy, seven-figure prize pool, and their biggest score to date.
In one of the most remarkable online tournament triumphs of 2026, Belarusian player “AHTOCb” emerged victorious in the PokerStars Sunday Million 20th Anniversary, hoisting a trophy and a life-changing payday of $255,336 after fending off a mammoth field of 55,444 entries. The win caps off a summer-long, phased PKO extravaganza that captured the attention of the poker world.
The Marathon That Was
As PokerNews reports, the 20th Anniversary edition unfolded over ten weeks in a novel phased format, starting with daily Phase 1 heats from June 28 and culminating in Phase 2 starting September 6. Entrants registered for $109, contributing to a guarantee-busting $5,544,400 prize pool and drawing 55,444 total entries. On the final day, 1,763 survivors combined to battle for the title in high-stakes showdown.
Confirmation from the PokerStars Blog echoes these figures—highlighting the record field size, phased structure, and the novelties introduced to celebrate the Milly’s 20-year legacy.
Final Table Drama and Satellite Stars
The concluding stretch proved every bit as dramatic as the run-up. “AHTOCb” and Finland’s “RageReaperf” returned to the final table as the two chip leaders, setting a tense tone from the start, according to both outlets.
Notably, eight of the final 49 players had punched their ticket via satellites, Power Path, or the Ticket Machine—some for as little as $1.50—underscoring the accessibility of the format. Players like Denmark’s “makassip” and Belarus’s “Aleshek” turned small investment into deep runs: sixth place for $31,578 and fifth for $55,198, respectively; Poker News Daily confirms these stories, as does PokerNews.
Heads-Up Showdown and the Winner’s Tale
The heads-up battle saw “AHTOCb” face off against UK grinder Charlie “JIZOINT” Combes. Both players had secured at least $176,300 from the standard prize pool before the final bounties were decided. Combes, who had previously chopped a Sunday Million in 2019, ultimately fell just short—banking $186,255 in what PokerNews calls his largest online score ever.
Meanwhile, “AHTOCb” walked away with $176,310 plus $79,026 in progressive bounties—the combined haul totaling $255,336—a veritable life-altering milestone for the Belarusian pro and a new high watermark in their PokerStars account, reports both PokerNews and PokerStars.
Why This Victory Matters
- The phased PKO format allowed players of all bankroll sizes to dream big over the summer, and “AHTOCb” turned that dream into reality.
- Attracting over 55,000 entries and paying out more than $5.5 million, the tournament reaffirmed the enduring prestige of the Sunday Million franchise.
- For “AHTOCb”, this win isn’t just a financial milestone—it’s a place in PokerStars folklore as the champion of the 20th Anniversary Sunday Million.
This win will surely inspire grinders everywhere: if a satellite qualifier—or anyone willing to play the long game—can do it, why not you?
Sources
This article was written by AI with live web research, drawing on the sources linked above. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Leave a Reply