Spanish former fitness trainer and professional poker player Ramon Colillas (30) emerged victorious and $5.1 million richer in the PokerStars Players No-Limit Hold’em Championship (PSPC), $25,000 buy-in poker tournament.
Colillas won free entry into the tournament as part of a PokerStars global promotion that awarded 320 people a $30,000 Platinum Pass package, which in addition to free entry, covered travel and hotel accommodations at the Atlantis at Paradise Island Resort and Casino in the Bahamas.
He outplayed a field of 1,039 players in the tournament that produced a record-breaking total prize pool of $26,455,500 and defeated Julien Martini in heads up play, sending the Frenchman home with an impressive second prize of $2,974,000.
PokerStars Director of Poker Marketing, Eric Hollreiser said: “We couldn’t have scripted a better outcome for the tournament and PokerStars congratulates Ramon and all of the competitors for making this an historic event.
“Ramon’s victory is a reminder that with a dream, some talent and a little luck, poker can change your life. We’re proud to have created a special experience for more than a thousand players, but especially for those like Ramon who had never previously dreamed of playing in such a tournament.”