One of poker’s greatest appeals lies in its unpredictability. On any given day, amateurs and professionals alike sit down with the same opportunity, and occasionally that equality produces a remarkable story.
That story unfolded in Madrid, where online satellite qualifier Gorka Akerreta defied expectations by outlasting a 360-entry field to win the €888 888poker LIVE Madrid Main Event, earning the €50,000 top prize. After qualifying through a modest €55 online satellite, Akerreta went on to defeat fellow Spaniard Raul Gordo in a short heads-up battle to claim the title.
The victory carried deep personal meaning. “Very excited. This is a great support for my family’s economy right now,” Akerreta said, with popular Twitch streamer Jesús “el_chur” Ramos translating. “I have two kids, 18 and 20.”
Akerreta, a Pamplona native, has been playing poker for eight years and considers himself primarily an online player. Recently forced to retire from work due to a back injury, poker offered a way to generate additional income. His live tournament résumé was limited prior to this event, but that changed in emphatic fashion at Casino Gran Via.
Despite the life-changing score, Akerreta remains realistic about his future. “I think I’ll keep playing the same way, making the same mistakes, and trying to improve,” he said.
Final Table Action
The final nine returned for Day 3 with the trophy and €50,000 up for grabs. Akerreta began the day second in chips with 3,660,000, trailing only chip leader Daniel Wu.
Fireworks started immediately. On the second hand, Akerreta eliminated Nima Jenabi in ninth place after his ace-seven flopped two pair against Jenabi’s pocket queens. Soon after, Jorge Diego was sent out in eighth when Martin Pardo turned and rivered two pair.
Online qualifier Jake Collins exited in seventh place when Pardo’s flopped two pair held against Collins’ ace-queen. Momentum shifted again when Raul Gordo doubled through Pardo and then knocked out Turlough McHugh in sixth with pocket kings.
A key turning point came when Akerreta rivered a flush against Pardo, winning a massive pot and taking over the chip lead. Wu responded with a big double-up of his own, briefly holding nearly half the chips in play.
The eliminations continued as Julien Loire finished fifth after running ace-ten into Gordo’s kings. Martin Pardo followed in fourth when Wu rivered a straight to end his run.
Wu surged past the 10-million-chip mark, but the tournament shifted decisively in Akerreta’s favor during the largest pot of the event. Akerreta called Wu’s shove with ace-queen, flipping against pocket tens, and made two pair to claim a massive double-up.
“When you have a chance, you have to put the chips in the center and wait for the cards,” Akerreta said.
Wu was eliminated shortly after in third place, failing to complete his draws against Akerreta’s king-queen.
Heads-Up and Victory
Heads-up play began with Akerreta holding a commanding 13,935,000 to 4,065,000 chip lead over Gordo. The conclusion came quickly. After a preflop raise and shove, Gordo committed his stack with king-queen against Akerreta’s ace-three. Akerreta flopped two pair, sealing the win and the title.
From a humble €55 online satellite to lifting the trophy in Madrid, Gorka Akerreta’s victory was a powerful reminder that in poker, anyone’s dream can become reality with the turn of a single card.
