It was opening day for 888poker’s entry into September’s online poker frenzy as the 34-event XL Eclipse series got underway on Thursday.

Boasting over $1.4 million in total guarantees, the value-heavy series gives grinders another championship tournament series to add to their calendars. Traditionally, the Opening Events for 888poker’s XL tournaments bring in big numbers. The start of XL Eclipse held that tradition with all three tournaments on the schedule crushing their guarantees and providing big returns for those players who were able to fade the jam-packed fields.

XL Eclipse #1 – $50,000 Opening Event
Buy-in: $109
Entries: 505
Prize pool: $68,600

The series got off to a fast start with 505 players taking a shot in the $109 buy-in Opening Event. The $50,000 guarantee fell by the wayside as the prize pool swelled to $68,600 offering up the first five-figure payday of the young series.

It took just a few minutes over ten hours for Canada’s ‘JonnyJamz’ to take home the first of the 2019 XL Eclipse titles, taking home $12,965.40 for his victory, easily the largest score of the day. It was just a few months ago that ‘JonnyJamz’ found himself at a final table during XL Inferno, where he fell in sixth place. This time, he was able to put the pieces together and lock down the win.

It wasn’t a bad day for Ukraine’s ‘forvardok’ who finished as the runner-up and taking home $9,501.10 as a consolation prize. Austria’s ‘M4zlTov’ went home with the bronze in this one, adding $6,997.20 to his bankroll.

888poker ambassadors Sofia Lovgren and Chris Moorman were also in the field. Lovgren failed to make the money, however the current king of the PocketFives Triple Crown Moorman finished in 49th place, adding $274.40 to his over $16 million in lifetime earnings.

Event #1 Final Table Results

1. JonnyJamz – $12,965.40
2. forvardok – $9,501.10
3. M4zlTov – $6,997.20
4. wilhasha13 – $5,282.20
5. IOwnU999 – $3,704.40
6. Bambooo – $2,915.50
7. IlovePickles – $2,229.50
8. Phemo – $1,543.50
9. sNap36484 – $1,049.58

XL Eclipse #2 – $20,000 Mini Opening Event
Buy-in: $16.50
Entires: 1,266
Prize pool: $25,260

The $20,000 Mini Opening Event also proved to be quite popular with 1,266 players putting up their $16.50 buy-in in a bid to turn their lunch money into a four-figure score.

Germany’s ‘maltzitT’ managed a 260x return on his investment by winning the tournament outright, and taking home $4,294.20 for first place.

PocketFiver Belea ‘RazvyB’ Razvan finished as the runner-up, adding the $3,157.50 second place prize to his $930,517 lifetime online earnings. Razvan is the #26-ranked player in his country and the cash represents his largest online cash on 888poker in 2019.

Brazil’s Daniel ‘CabecaTilt’ Costa took home the third-place prize of $2,397.17. A PocketFiver for over five years, Costa has over $100,000 in cashes on 888poker and this score puts him at $1.35 million in total lifetime earnings.

Event #2 Final Table Results

1. maltzitT – $4,294.86
2. RazvyB – $3,157.50
3. CabecaTilt – $2,397.17
4. hackket – $1,17.68
5. IsaiaFTW – $1,250.37
6. cosmiNik – $997.77
7. Angi231 – $745.17
8. Feinkoster – $492.57
9. dvmfz – $272.80

XL Eclipse #3 – $20,000 Late Opening Event
Buy-in: $55
Entries: 367
Prize pool: $25,200

The $20,000 Late Opening Event only took seven hours to determine a winner as Finland’s ‘dmg34’ bested the field of 367 entires to turn his $55 buy-in into a $4,835.88 payday.

The tournament was another great value for players as the guarantee was exceeded by more than $5,000, allowing the top six players to take home a four-figure score.

Joining ‘dmg34’ on the podium was ‘BhadizUlue’ who finished as the runner-up, banking $3,591 for their efforts and right behind him in third place was ‘Margetik‘ who walked with $2,646.

Event #3 – Final Table Results

1. dmg34 – $4,835.88
2. BhadizUlue – $3,591.00
3. Margetik – $2,646.00
4. gifuhorna – $2,016.00
5. bowladay – $1,411.20
6. begood9999 – $1,071.00
7. Clay_Born – $819.00
8. nufcexile – $567.00
9. Mr.Fonzi – $418.32