In the history of organized tournament poker, Chris Moneymaker's spin up from an $86 online qualifier to the $2.5M first-place prize in the 2003 World Series of Poker Main Event retains its standing as the greatest satellite-to-victory story.
While it's unlikely anyone will ever top Moneymaker's run, Martin Prado of Rosario, Argentina carved out his own chapter of poker history at the Enjoy Poker Series in Uruguay. In true Moneymaker fashion, Prado entered a $95 online satellite event on ACR Poker and won a $5,000 package to compete in the $1M GTD Punta del Este Main Event.
After several long days of play, Prado rose above the field to claim the $191,335 top prize – not exactly the level of return on investment that Moneymaker achieved, but still an impressive feat nonetheless. Prado, a long-time online grinder, completed an epic comeback during heads-up play and dedicated his victory to his father and his son.
'Everything happens for a reason'
In the video above, Prado describes the win as "a dream" and explained that he wasn't planning to play the series until a deep run in an ACR Poker tournament compelled him to fire the satellite event on the side.
"I did not plan to come to Uruguay," Prado said. "I got deep in the ACR $109 Moneymaker and since it was a long tournament I got into the satellite and said, 'Well, let's see if I qualify, it'll be an excuse to go.' I qualified and here I am. Everything happens for a reason."
Prado's father passed away recently, adding even more emotion to his victory. When asked how his father would react to seeing him hoist the trophy, Prado told reporters, "[He] would be happy. Happy and proud."
