This Week's Big Winner: Raffaele Sorrentino Wins PokerStars Championship Monte Carlo

Raffaele Sorrentino is the champion of the 2017 PokerStars Championship Monte Carlo €5,300 no-limit hold’em main event. The Italian topped a field of 727 total entries to capture his first major title and the €466,714 ($513,269 USD) top payout.

“Last week, I felt that I could win,” Sorrentino said. “And then when I was here, it was day after day, getting nearer and nearer. And finally, I’ve won.”

In addition to the money and the hardware, Sorrentino also earned 1,824 Card Player Player of the year points. This was his second final-table finish of the year, and as a result he now sits in 21st place in the 2017 Player of the Year rankings, which are presented this year by Commerce Hotel and Casino.

Sorrentino came into the final day in third chip position with six players remaining. While chip leader Michael Kolkowicz scored the first knockout, Sorrentino then began to take over and eliminated every other player at the final table.

Here are the five biggest hands that propelled Sorrentino to the win.

Tournament – PokerStars Championship Monte Carlo

Buy-In: €5,300 ($5,814)
No. of Entries: 727
Prize Pool: €3,525,950 ($3,867,859)
1st Place Prize: €466,714 ($513,269)

The Action

At the nine-handed, unofficial final table, Dietrich raised to 120,000 from under the gun and Sorrentino made the call from the big blind. The flop was the J 5 4 and both players checked. The turn was the 7 and Sorrentino bet 155,000. Dietrich called and the river was the 4. Sorrentino moved all in and Dietrich went into the tank. After more than four minutes, he finally decided to call all-in for his last 660,000 with 10 10. Sorrentino showed 7 7, however, for a full house to take the pot. Dietrich pocketed €58,740 for his ninth-place run.

The Action

Sitting five-handed, Sorrentino raised to 330,000 on the button and Kolkowicz three-bet all-in for 1,970,000 in the small blind. Sorrentino made the call with A 5 and Kolkowicz sheepishly turned over 6 2. The board rolled out 5 5 4 7 7 and Sorrentino made a full house to scoop the pot. Kolkowicz earned €147,120 for his deep finish, and Sorrentino claimed more than half of the chips going into four-handed play.

The Action

Sorrentino raised to 330,000 on the button and Panyak moved all in from the small blind for his last 1,900,000 with A 10. Sorrentino asked for a count before making the call with K J. According to the Card Player Poker Odds Calculator, Panyak was a 58 percent favorite to double up. Instead, the flop fell K 4 2 to give Sorrentino a 92 percent advantage. The turn and river fell 5 7 and Panyak headed to the payout line to pick up his €199,900 fourth-place prize. Going into three-handed play, Sorrentino now held 60 percent of the chips on the table.

The Action

Sorrentino raised from the small blind to 370,000 and Bondar called from the big blind behind him. The flop fell 8 5 4 and Sorrentino continued for 425,000. Bondar quickly raised to 1,200,000 and Sorrentino called. The turn was the 6 and Sorrentino checked. Bondar moved all in for 3,410,000 and Sorrentino immediately called with 6 5 for two pair. Bondar needed help with his J 8 for a pair of eights, but the 9 on the river was a brick. Bondar added €271,500 to his bank account for his third-place showing, while Sorrentino claimed a 5:2 heads-up advantage.

The Action

After a deal, Klatt raised to 450,000 on the button and Sorrentino three-bet to 2,025,000. Klatt then shoved all-in for 5,590,000. Sorrentino snap-called with pocket aces, and Klatt saw that he had been coolered, turning over pocket queens. The board ran out 8 2 2 K 2 and Klatt picked up €402,786 for finishing runner-up. Sorrentino took home the title, and the €466,714 first-place prize.

Final Table Results

1. Raffaele Sorrentino — €466,714 ($513,269)*
2. Andreas Klatt — €402,786 ($442,964)*
3. Andrey Bondar — €271,500 ($298,582)
4. Maxim Panyak — €199,900 ($219,840)
5. Michael Kolkowicz — €147,120 ($161,795)
6. Diego Zeiter — €108,300 ($119,103)
7. Davidi Kitai — €79,750 ($86,928)
8. Romain Nardin — €58,740 ($64,027)

*Based on a deal made during heads-up play.