In a stunning first appearance on the live poker stage, Hongbo Lin captured the CNP Winamax Alicante Main Event at Casino Mediterráneo. The Chinese newcomer overcame a field of 713 entries in the €550 buy-in tournament to secure the silver clover trophy and €46,917, following a five-way deal at the final table.
The Alicante stop became the second-largest event of the season, trailing only Sevilla’s 919-player turnout.
Final Table Results – CNP Winamax Alicante
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hongbo Lin | China | €46,917* |
| 2 | Miguel Montes | Spain | €24,855* |
| 3 | Iván Paredes Cendán | Spain | €20,786* |
| 4 | Cornel Teodor Chis | Romania | €28,939* |
| 5 | Miguel Abeijón | Spain | €22,752* |
| 6 | Lasse Antero Laukkarinen | Finland | €11,800 |
| 7 | Fedor Muntyan | Russia | €8,900 |
| 8 | Eduardo Guillén | Spain | €6,200 |
| 9 | Axel López | Spain | €5,000 |
*Five-way deal agreement
A Dream Debut for Hongbo Lin
Remarkably, this was Lin’s first-ever live poker tournament. Entering late on Day 2, he quickly drew attention for his aggressive, unconventional style of play. By Day 3, Lin had transformed into the dominant force at the table, bulldozing opponents with fearless moves and timely cards.
When heads-up play began, Lin held an 8-to-1 chip advantage over Miguel Montes, the Spanish pro who currently leads the CNP leaderboard. Despite Montes’ resilience, Lin’s momentum proved unstoppable as he sealed victory with yet another improbable all-in win, sending the rail into celebration.
Key Day 3 Hands and Turning Points
Day 3 started with 44 players left in contention. Action was fast-paced, and several pivotal moments reshaped the leaderboard:
- Miguel Abeijón, a former chip leader, slipped down the standings after several failed shoves.
- Eduardo Guillén pulled off a dramatic escape, spiking a two-outer on the river to stay alive.
- Lin began his surge when his 7♣4♠ cracked pocket nines in a blind-versus-blind confrontation.
- His breakthrough came in a triple all-in, where his pocket jacks defeated both ace-king and ace-queen by spiking a jack on the turn. That hand cemented his position as overwhelming chip leader.
The final table bubble burst when Ramón Fernández ran into Cornel Teodor Chis’ pocket kings, setting the stage for Lin’s dominant run.
Final Table Drama
Once the last nine players were seated, eliminations came swiftly:
- Axel López exited first, followed by Eduardo Guillén and Fedor Muntyan.
- Lasse Antero Laukkarinen bowed out in sixth place after being unable to recover from Lin’s aggression.
- The remaining five players agreed to an ICM deal, locking up a share of the prize pool while leaving €14,425 and the trophy still to play for.
Lin remained relentless after the deal:
- He eliminated Miguel Abeijón, followed by Cornel Teodor Chis.
- Iván Paredes Cendán saw his deep run end in third after losing a crucial hand to Montes, then busting to Lin.
- In the early morning hours, Lin defeated Montes heads-up to complete his incredible debut triumph.
A Rising Star on the Spanish Poker Circuit
Lin’s breakthrough in Alicante is one of the most remarkable stories of the 2025 CNP Winamax season. Winning a major live event on his very first attempt—against a field of experienced professionals and with a rail cheering him on—sets him apart as a player to watch in upcoming stops.
With Sevilla already setting records and Murcia breaking attendance earlier this season, the CNP Winamax circuit continues to thrive. Lin’s victory only adds to the growing excitement as the tour heads into its next chapters.
