Qualifying for a major poker tournament on PokerStars.com continues to pay dividends. Poorya Nazari turned a $33 rebuy satellite tournament win into $3 million by taking down the 2009 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Saturday in the Bahamas.

Nazari started the final table of the European Poker Tour event second in chips behind Alex Gomes, but after Gomes went out in fourth it became Nazari’s tournament to lose. After riding a short stack through the latter stages of Day 3 and early parts of Day 4, Nazari only came to the realization he could win once the final table started.

“It was only today that I started thinking about winning. At one point yesterday I was down to virtually nothing but I got off to a good start today and at that point I thought I might have a shot,” said Nazari following his win.

Nazari eliminated Tony Gregg on the final hand of the night to capture the $3 million first place prize and the first major championship of 2009. Gregg earned $1,700,000 for his runner-up performance.

Gomes’ run came to an end when his pocket aces, a hand that had been crucial in putting him in the chip lead the previous day, had the Brazilian move all-in on the flop of J-J-J only to see Benny Spindler call with the fourth Jack. Gomes took home $750,000 for his fourth place finish. Spindler would go on to finish third and bank $1,100,000.

Online poker fans were disappointed to see Kevin “BeL0WaB0Ve” Saul as the first player eliminated from the final table. Saul was crippled late on Day 5 and was unable to muster any sort of comeback. He earned $234,000.

2009 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Final Table Payouts

1.       Poorya Nazari - $3,000,000
2.       Tony Gregg - $1,700,000

3.       Benny Spindler - $1,100,000

4.       Alexandre Gomes - $750,000

5.       Pieter Tielen - $550,000

6.       Dustin Dirksen - $400,000

7.       Daniel Heimiller - $300,000

8.       Kevin Saul - $234,000

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