From a $75 Satellite to C$605,000: Allen Shen’s WSOP Circuit Montreal Title

Seventy-five dollars. That’s all it cost Allen Shen to enter the GGPoker satellite that sent him to the WSOP Circuit Montreal Main Event — and a C$605,000 payday.

In 2026, Shen was already running hot. His GGPoker satellite seat became the biggest score of his career.

The qualifier

Shen won his seat through a $75 satellite on GGPoker, earning entry to the C$2,500 WSOP Circuit Montreal Main Event at Playground Poker Club.

The run

He outlasted a massive field of 1,781 entries — building a prize pool north of C$4.1 million — and sealed the title heads-up against Pei Li.

The payoff

First place: C$605,000 and a WSOP Circuit gold ring. The win nearly doubled Shen’s career earnings and stands as his best result yet.

A breakout year

It was Shen’s second WSOP Circuit ring of 2026, following a $400 WSOPC Calgary title where he beat a field of 1,656 players.

Your path to glory

A $75 click turned into C$605,000. Your WSOP story can start the same way — climb the WSOP Express ladder from just $0.50.