Now that the dust has settled on the 2019 Spring Championship of Online Poker, we have a clearer sense of just how massive this tournament series truly was.
The Main Events – regardless of buy-in tier – remain the titles that everyone wants to capture, even the most seasoned pros and prolific ‘COOP winners. The medium edition, which came with a $1,050 buy-in, garnered a huge field of 5,475 entries to create a $5,475,000 prize pool.
After a heads-up deal with the UK’s “4BETBRICK”, it was Mexico’s Jacob “jakobgold” Montoya who came out on top to win $688,558. That amount towers over his previous largest tournament cash of $12,814.
But who was our latest Main Event champion? We wanted to find out, and Montoya was kind enough to give us a few minutes to let us do just that.
PokerStars Blog: Has it sunk in yet that you’re a SCOOP 2019 Main Event champion?
Jacob “jakobgold1” Montoya: To be honest, not yet! My life hasn’t changed at all. I’m still living the same life and doing the same things that I’m used to, but sometimes I do feel it and realise I’m the Main event champion.
Obviously it ended as well as it could have, but how did the tournament as a whole go for you?
It was a roller coaster the entire Day 2. I started the day 13th in chips but I started getting short. I entered the final table as the short stack and yet managed to win it all. The key hand was when I shoved with king-seven suited over an open and got cold called by ace-queen off before hitting a lucky seven on the turn.
At what point in the tournament did you start to believe you could win it?
When there were around 27 players left I thought I had a decent chance at it to be honest. I was enjoying every second of the day and felt that something great could happen. Once I made the final table I was already happy but I knew I could go all the way even as the short stack.
Jacob “jakobgold” Montoya
What were your expectations coming into the SCOOP?
I don’t really like to have big expectations on any tournament or series I play, because if you expect to win big and you don’t it feels way worse when you don’t. I just take it one day at a time and go from there.
Is there anything you credit this win to?
This year I started studying more in depth and taking more time away from the tables to review spots etc. I have been studying very hard with Rivers Staking for the past two years, and I feel like this event is a culmination of all this hard work so big shout out to them.
How do you think the money will change your life moving forward?
Money is always good of course but I don’t think it will be changing the way I live my life. I will invest a big percentage of the score for my future plans but I won’t go crazy with it. I will probably play a bit higher but not much. I want to have a good bankroll management and don’t want to gamble much.
How did you celebrate after the win?
My roommates were there so it was nice having someone to enjoy the moment with. We went out for dinner the next day, as when the tournament was over it was kind of late here in Mexico. I couldn’t go to bed right away because my brain was still thinking so many things through. I actually didn’t sleep until around 7am, and for only a couple of hours.
How did you first discover poker and what your journey has been like so far?
I remember I started watching the World Series of Poker on ESPN back in 2006 and I fell in love with the psychological part of it. I started playing with my friends and suddenly I was playing full time. Poker is now my job.
What is your life like away from poker?
Right now I live in Playa Del Carmen in Mexico. I like watching a lot of football and sports, I enjoy going to the beach and the pool and hanging out with my friends.
What are your plans for the rest of the year?
I’m going to Montreal with some friends for the summer and after I have no plans at all, I’m thinking about going to Vegas but that’s still in the air.
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