Fernando Pons

Fernando Pons was born and raised in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, where he still lives with his wife Vicky and daughter Martina. Since 1999, he has worked at Leroy Merlin, a home improvement company, as the head of the electrical and plumbing department. Pons was introduced to poker by a friend in 2010 and quickly became passionate about the game, learning through television broadcasts and online training videos. He primarily played online tournaments with buy-ins between 40 or 50 euros, dedicating four to five hours each night after work. His poker activity was roughly 95% online and 5% live, the latter at local casinos like Gran Casino de Mallorca.

Pons’ breakout moment came in 2016 when he won a €30 online satellite on 888.es, which qualified him for a €250 mega-satellite. He won that as well, earning a package that included a $10,000 seat into the World Series of Poker Main Event. It was his first WSOP bracelet event. Pons navigated a field of 6,737 players to reach the final table, the November Nine, as the shortest stack. He finished in 9th place, earning $1,000,000 – a life-changing sum. The run drew comparisons to Chris Moneymaker’s 2003 Cinderella story, as both were amateurs who qualified via low-cost online satellites. Pons described the experience as unbelievable, and he remained calm throughout the long three-month wait between the final table being set and its televised conclusion.

Following his 2016 success, Pons returned to the WSOP in 2017 and 2018. In 2017, he played Event #73: $10,000 No-Limit Hold'em MAIN EVENT, finishing 977th out of 7,221 for $15,000. He also cashed in Event #50: $1,500 No-Limit Hold'em BOUNTY (278th, $1,414) and Event #19: THE GIANT - $365 No-Limit Hold'em (393rd, $772). In 2018, he placed 260th in Event #59: $1,000 No-Limit Hold'em Super Turbo Bounty for $1,054. As of his WSOP.com profile, his total live earnings from WSOP events stand at $1,018,240, with five cashes and one final table.

Pons is described as a primarily online tournament player who transitioned successfully to live events. He is known for his calm demeanor and disciplined approach. In interviews, he has mentioned that he does not feel intimidated by other players, saying “they are just like you” with two cards. Despite being a “bounty moral” (a target for others due to his November Nine fame), he handles the attention with good humor. Pons remains focused on enjoying the game and has acknowledged the support of coaching team Coaching4Dglory during his 2016 preparation.

Fernando Pons represents the dream of every recreational player: turning a tiny investment into a seven-figure score at poker’s biggest stage. His story inspired many in Spain and beyond, and he continues to be a respected figure in the poker community, often invited to tournaments and events. Though he has not matched his 2016 feat, his consistent WSOP cashes prove he is more than a one-hit wonder.