Chinese Player Topples Mateos and Ladva in $10K Showdown
The $10,000 GGMillion$ on GGPoker brought together some of the biggest names in the game this week, but it was an unfamiliar name that stole the spotlight. China’s “RealOA” outplayed elite pros Adrian Mateos and Ottomar Ladva at the final table, pulling off a shocking upset to capture $346,903 and their first GGMillion$ title.
Big Names, Bigger Surprises
When the final table began, Estonia’s Ottomar Ladva held the chip lead with 84 big blinds, just ahead of “RealOA.” With $16.1 million in online results and plenty of GGMillion$ final-table experience, Ladva was the favorite heading in. Spain’s Adrian Mateos, boasting $19 million in GGPoker winnings, wasn’t far behind.
Meanwhile, “RealOA” had just $6,221 in lifetime cashes—a complete unknown facing some of the toughest competition online. By the end of the night, that number had grown more than 55 times over.
How the Action Unfolded
The eight-handed final table began with a cautious pace, but once the first elimination hit, the fireworks followed.
Argentina’s “KingofM!A” was the first to go, shoving queen-high into “RealOA” to bust in eighth place for $63,204. Moments later, Mateos’ nightmare continued—his ace-nine ran into “Buzzcut’s” ace-jack, ending the Spaniard’s run in seventh for $80,609.
Ladva, who started as chip leader, soon followed. His ace-nine of spades couldn’t find help against “RealOA’s” pocket threes, and the Estonian pro exited in sixth place for $102,806.
From there, “RealOA” never looked back. Brazil’s Kelvin Kerber was next to fall in fifth for $131,117 after his ace-king lost to “Buzzcut’s” pocket nines, which flopped a set. Russia’s Vladimir Minko finished fourth for $167,223 when his ace-seven lost to “RealOA’s” king-queen.
Japan’s “Buzzcut,” who started the day as the short stack, laddered all the way to third place for $213,272 before finally bowing out against “RealOA’s” ace-nine.
Quick Finish Heads-Up
Heads-up play between “RealOA” and Argentina’s Guilhermo Pinarello didn’t last long. With a commanding 14.4 million to 4.3 million chip advantage, “RealOA” wasted no time sealing the win.
On a board of K-4-3-8-2 with three hearts, “RealOA” held 7-4 of hearts for a flush. Pinarello called with ace-seven, holding the ace of hearts as a blocker, but it wasn’t enough. Two hands later, it was over—“RealOA” was crowned the GGMillion$ champion.
Final Table Results
| Rank | Player | Country | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RealOA | China | $346,903 |
| 2 | Guilhermo Pinarello | Argentina | $272,001 |
| 3 | Buzzcut | Japan | $213,272 |
| 4 | Vladimir Minko | Russia | $167,223 |
| 5 | Kelvin Kerber | Brazil | $131,117 |
| 6 | Ottomar Ladva | Estonia | $102,806 |
| 7 | Adrian Mateos | Spain | $80,609 |
| 8 | KingofM!A | Argentina | $63,204 |
| 9 | Paulius Vaitekunas | Lithuania | $49,557 |
Commentary Reactions
On the broadcast, hosts Jeff Gross and Benjamin Rolle praised the winner’s fearless style.
“I would have liked to see those plays from [Minko],” Rolle noted.
“He did tighten up,” Gross replied.
Rolle added, “The winner played loose, but people weren’t adjusting to big stacks being looser. What I like about players that are loose is that they know how to get the money in.”
A Star Is Born
For “RealOA,” this victory changes everything. From a relative unknown with barely any results to a GGMillion$ champion taking home nearly $350,000, it’s the kind of breakthrough every online grinder dreams about.
Facing down legends like Mateos and Ladva, “RealOA” showed that fearlessness—and a few well-timed calls—can go a long way at poker’s highest level.
