PonsMaker – a qualifying player for the November Nine at the WSOP.

Have you learned about the narrative surrounding the 'PonsMaker'? It's the astonishing story of a man who turned €30 into a minimum of $1,000,000 through the game of poker.

 

However, there was a moment when it nearly didn’t happen. This was due to Fernando Pons, the 37-year-old, wanting to cash out after he turned his initial investment into $250. If he'd followed through on that impulse, he would have walked away, and the tale would have concluded there.

 

Instead, Pons is still in the race, competing in one of the most esteemed poker tournaments in the world, aiming for an astounding $8 million in first-place winnings.

 

The ultimate mark of Pons' legacy will be revealed in November. By then, this account executive from a retail chain in Palma, Spain, will return to Las Vegas to vie in the 2016 World Series of Poker Main Event, a competition that drew 6,737 participants in July.

 

Pons, one of 148 who qualified to play the tournament on 888poker After enduring a grueling seven-day competition, he became one of only nine remaining players. In a historic moment, he and Griffin Benger became the first participants from 888poker to secure a position in the esteemed November Nine.

For Pons, who is a family man with a four-year-old daughter, poker was initially just a pastime. In fact, he only began playing the game at a friend's house six years ago, which makes him somewhat of a late starter. learned to play He says, 'I was captivated from the very start even though I was clueless about the rules.' Pons, who isn't fluent in English, recalls, 'I had to look online to understand how to play.'

 

Interestingly, it was through online platforms that Pons' poker aspirations began to flourish. Earlier this year, he won a €30 satellite event on 888poker.es, which granted him entry to the next level worth €250. Had circumstances permitted, he might have chosen to cash out.

 

'I entered the €30 level with the thought of possibly opting out with €250 if I succeeded,' he recounts. 'But then I realized that the €250 was only for the next round. So I thought, why not continue?' That's when I started playing at the €250 level. When I was down to the final four, I began to believe I could actually win, and I did!'

 

Naturally, reaching the WSOP was no small feat. There were several moments during the satellite tournaments when Pons found himself incredibly close to being eliminated. Reflecting on those tense situations, he recalls,

 

'I remember those moments vividly because I was juggling multiple tables at once. One specific moment was when I finished the satellite final table in eighth. I sensed the challenge ahead but maintained my optimism. Who knows, perhaps I will face similar challenges at the November Nine.'

 

Parallels with the Poker Boom Pioneer.

Pons expressed, 'I feel honored as my story is quite similar.' His friends have started calling him Moneymaker, yet he knows he must secure the November Nine title to truly earn that comparison.

 

Unlike the satellite games, where he began the final table in eighth place with a smaller chip stack, Pons will start in the last position with 6.15 million chips during the November Nine. While it may appear minimal compared to the leader's impressive 74.6 million, it doesn't intimidate him.

 

'Not at all,' he replies when asked if the short stack gives him any anxiety. 'I am confident I can build my stack. I'll continue playing as I did throughout those seven days in Las Vegas; there’s no pressure on me, and I have a mindset that allows me to take risks. The short stack had five big blinds, and I had 18. I felt no nerves, just frustration because I was forced to wait for the short stack to be eliminated. That expectation put me down to just 12 big blinds at one point.'

 

Even though he enters as the short stack with limited live poker experience, Pons enjoys a solid support system. As he progressed through the Main Event, his friends Massa, Paola, and Fali cheered for him. Eventually, Fali had to leave Vegas by Day 5, but Paola adjusted his travel plans to stay till the end.

 

'Paolo has been residing in Mallorca for quite some time,' Pons shares about his friendship. 'We quickly bonded at Mallorca Casino, and he has a welcoming personality that easily connects with others. Having someone to lean on is invaluable, especially during the extended hours of play. It’s nice to have someone to converse with and clear your mind occasionally.'

 

Pons truly needed that support during his emotionally turbulent run in the Main Event.

'There were three pivotal hands that I remember well,' he reflects. 'The first was on Day 4 when I made a risky call that could have led to my elimination. Then on Day 6, I experienced a stroke of luck, doubling up with pocket nines against aces, followed by a crucial hand where I faced JJ against AQ, which ultimately placed me in the chip lead. The nines against aces moment was particularly thrilling as the nine appeared on the turn.'

 

Although the path to the November Nine was fraught with challenges, Pons succeeded. Consequently, he's assured of receiving at least $1 million for finishing ninth, but he has the possibility of achieving a much larger sum.

 

Pons will have to bide his time for three months to see if he can recover from being the short stack and aim for the staggering $8 million first-place prize. Unlike many who might feel distressed about this wait, he is determined to return to his everyday routine.

Unlike other finalists in the November Nine, he doesn't intend to seek out expert advice, which means he won't be employing a coach. Nonetheless, he has plans to participate in more live tournaments to build his experience.

 

'I will take part in several 888Local and 888Live competitions, along with an event in Barcelona in August,' Pons reveals. He also aims to continue playing on 888poker due to its attractive promotions and plentiful recreational players.

 

Regardless of his final standing come November, the tale of the 'PonsMaker' is genuinely remarkable. The only question left is whether this poker millionaire can replicate his success multiple times!

 

Chad Holloway is a proud recipient of a WSOP Bracelet from 2013, formerly managing editor and live reporter for PokerNews.