The 888poker XL Winter Series is racing toward its finale, with the $250 buy-in, $500,000 guaranteed Rakeless Mystery Bounty Main Event set to crown a champion on January 27. While plenty of action remains before the final cards are dealt, one familiar name is already well positioned to make a deep run: 888poker Stream Team member Leo “KaizenStyle” Jokura.
The Brazilian standout delivered an impressive performance on his chosen Day 1 flight, spinning a 10,000-chip starting stack into a hefty 254,743. That haul sends Jokura into Day 2 with 102 big blinds, putting him firmly among the tournament’s early frontrunners.
Only two players have managed to bag larger stacks so far. Germany’s “FBarbarotto” leads the way with 268,168 chips, closely followed by Ireland’s high-stakes regular “9salute46” on 264,994. Jokura sits just behind them, well clear of the rest of the chasing pack.
Strong Numbers, Bigger Bounties Ahead
At the time of writing, the Rakeless Mystery Bounty Main Event has attracted 1,270 entries, with 142 players advancing to Day 2 on January 26. To meet the ambitious $500,000 guarantee, 888poker is aiming for 2,000 total entries — a realistic target with six more Day 1 flights still to run between January 23 and January 25.
The final starting flight begins at 10:00 p.m. GMT on January 25, after which all surviving players return for Day 2 at 9:30 p.m. GMT on January 26. From that point on, the mystery bounty element comes fully into play, adding another layer of excitement. Among the prizes on offer are two $10,000 bounties, two worth $15,000, and a headline-grabbing $50,000 jackpot bounty.
XL Winter Series in Full Swing
With 28 events already completed, the XL Winter Series is nearing its midway point. So far, “preTu.ras” stands as the festival’s biggest individual winner, having taken down the $109 Rakeless Opening Event Mystery Bounty for $9,601.
The series has delivered a steady mix of value-packed low buy-ins, mid-stakes grinders, and high-roller action, with champions crowned across mystery bounty, PKO, deepstack, and high-roller formats. Another 31 events remain on the schedule between January 23 and January 27, giving players plenty of chances to grab a title before the festival wraps up.
All Eyes on the Main Event
As the field continues to grow and the mystery bounties loom, attention is steadily shifting toward the Main Event showdown. With a top-three chip stack already secured, Leo Jokura is perfectly placed to chase a major score and potentially fly the flag for the 888poker Stream Team on the biggest stage of the series.
Whether Jokura can convert his strong start into a deep finish remains to be seen, but with massive bounties, a half-million-dollar prize pool, and a packed final schedule still ahead, the XL Winter Series is building toward a thrilling conclusion.
