PSPC 2023: Belarus’ Aliaksandr Shylko Wins Second-Edition of the PokerStars Players Championship For $3.10 Million

The 2023 PokerStars Players No-Limit Hold’em Championship has come to a close, and it was a momentous occasion for Belarusian poker superstar Aliaksandr Shylko. He achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the second PSPC champion, solidifying his place in the archives of poker history.

26-year-old Shylko outlasted the 1,014-player field in the $25K buy-in rake-free Freezeout poker tournament, pipping a field full of top pros and recreationals (including a slew of PSPC Platinum Passes), winning the grand prize of $3,121,838.

Shylko had to contend with fierce competition on the final table, including well-known pros like Germany’s Max Menzel (2nd for $2,859,990) and Brazil’s Philipe Pizzari (3rd for $2,524,871). The three reached an ICM deal and continued playing for the remaining $300,000 and the coveted PSPC golden trophy.

Shylko has been a professional poker player for six years and had just over $423,000 in recorded scores heading into the event. Despite his relatively modest earnings, he had already tasted success, winning the €2,000 Eureka High Roller last May for $80,853. This victory was just a fraction of what was to come, as Shylko took down the PokerStars Players No-Limit Hold’em Championship spectacularly.

According to his Hendon Mob profile, Shylko now has $3,545,208 in live tournament earnings.

PokerStars congratulated Shylko after the win.

Aliaksandr Shylko takes #PSPC title as Menzel's Platinum run ends in second.

?https://t.co/UXz6Tx1JLV
?(UK readers) https://t.co/x0hZfLwxsB pic.twitter.com/CQn96xJQf3

— PokerStars Blog (@PokerStarsBlog) February 4, 2023

In his post-win interview, Shylko said, “I don’t feel many emotions right now because I was too focused.”

He added, “I was just trying to be as calm as possible and do my best. It was a lot of work, but the win makes it all worth it.”

For the six players on the final table, the PokerStars Players Championship was a chance to take home their careers’ most significant live score. Nacho Barbero (4th for $1,551,300), Pedro Marques (5th for $1,251,500), and Niclas Thumm (6th for $1,001,200) were all guaranteed seven-figure payouts as they battled for a share of the $24,843,000 prize pool.

PokerStars streamed the final day action on its YouTube channel. You can watch it below.

After the three-handed deal was cracked, the Brazilian contender Philipe Pizzari, made a bold move by shoving his short 7 BB stack with , but unfortunately, it was not enough to withstand Max Menzel’s . The board gave Menzel a pair of Queens and Threes, ending Pizzari’s tournament run in third place.

In the final hand of the short heads-up, Menzel rivered a straight on the , but Shylko emerged victorious with a full house, becoming the second PSPC champion and banking a grand $3,121,838.

Final Table Results (USD)

1. Aliaksandr Shylko – $3,121,838*
2. Max Menzel – $2,859,990*
3. Philipe Pizzari – $2,524,871*
4. Nacho Barbero – $1,551,300
5. Pedro Marques – $1,251,500
6. Niclas Thumm – $1,001,200
7. Thomas Eychenne – $801,000
8. Petar Kalev – $621,300
9. Andrei Boghean – $449,700

*denotes a three-way deal

Content & Images Courtesy: PokerNews & PokerStars India

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