Last week, we wrapped up our biggest and most successful $8 Million Mystery Bounty Venom NLH tourney to date, which was one part of the Dual Mystery Bounty Venoms schedule. The $2,650 buy-in No Limit Hold’em event drew an incredible 3,673 entries, crushing its guarantee and generating a massive $9,182,500 total prize pool.
With $4,591,250 set aside for mystery bounties, the tournament delivered huge knockout drama from start to finish. After a three-way final table deal, Pedro Neves of Portugal, who plays under the name “MatasSembolas,” officially claimed the title, earning $630,327.94 in prize money and finishing with a total haul of $728,281 after bounties.
Following his victory, we caught up with Neves to talk about the experience, the pressure of the Mystery Bounty format, and what’s next on his poker schedule.
Here’s what the Venom champ had to say:
ACR Poker: Can you tell us a bit about yourself? What is your name, age, and where are you from?
Pedro Neves: My name is Pedro Neves, I’m 28 years old, and I’m from Madeira Island, Portugal.
ACR Poker: Congratulations! How does it feel to win this Venom Mystery Bounty $8M GTD 1st place?
Pedro Neves: It feels great to win such a big tournament. The Venom is one of the most well-known events on the schedule, so finishing in first place is very satisfying and something I’m really happy about.
ACR Poker: What was going through your mind when you realized you had won it?
Pedro Neves: At that moment, what really came to mind was how long and demanding the tournament is. It’s a true marathon, where you need to stay focused and play well in every phase, from the early levels to the final table. On top of that, the mystery bounties add another strategic layer, so you’re constantly balancing chip accumulation, survival, and bounty opportunities. Reaching the end and winning felt like the reward for staying disciplined and making good decisions throughout the entire event.
ACR Poker: Can you share a bit about your overall experience? Are there any specific memorable hands or moments that stand out to you?
Pedro Neves: The overall experience was very intense and enjoyable. One moment that really stands out was a key hand right before the deal, which gave me a big chip advantage and really set me up for the win. That hand was a turning point and made a huge difference going into the final stages. Another very memorable aspect is the start of Day 2 with the mystery bounties. It’s always funny and exciting to see such big bounties appear so early in the day; it completely changes the dynamic of the tournament and creates some unique and entertaining moments right from the start.
ACR Poker: How do you plan to celebrate your win?
Pedro Neves: I plan to celebrate with my family and close friends, taking some time to enjoy the moment and share this achievement with the people who support me the most.
ACR Poker: What are your future poker plans? Do you have any upcoming poker tournaments or goals you’re aiming for?
Pedro Neves: My plan is to keep playing a strong online schedule and stay consistent. One of the tournaments I want to play more regularly is the $10K Phil’s Thrill on the WPN, as it’s a great event and fits well with my goals. Overall, I want to keep improving and competing at a high level.
