Ángel Guillén and Los Jefes Dominate WPT Australia
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Ángel Guillén had a festival to remember at WPT Australia, capturing two titles in 72 hours and leading Los Jefes to victory in the debut Team Tournament format.
The WPT Global Ambassador collected a combined AU$321,000 for his wins in the AU$5,000 Mad Max and AU$20,000 Super High Roller, along with a US$10,000 seat to December’s WPT World Championship at Wynn Las Vegas.
“It’s been an extraordinary experience,” Guillén told his wife and WPT host Lynn Gilmartin. “Winning one tournament is hard enough. Winning two in the same series is a dream for any poker player.”
Los Jefes Rule the Team Event
A highlight of this year’s festival was the introduction of the Team Tournament. Each squad featured five players contributing AU$2,000 apiece to a AU$24,000 prize pool.
Guillén’s Los Jefes, comprised of Sergio Barrios, Bernardo Crespo, Tomás Szwarcberg, Diego Ponce, and Guillén himself, were dominant from start to finish.
“We pretty much destroyed the competition,” Guillén said. “The points difference between us and the others was spectacular. We had five wins.”
The Mexican squad finished with 3,605 points, far ahead of second-place “Not a Hobby,” to secure the AU$12,000 top team prize.
Los Jefes’ Results
- Sergio Barrios – 1,440 points (2 titles)
- Ángel Guillén – 1,225 points (2 titles)
- Bernardo Crespo – 490 points (1 title)
- Tomás Szwarcberg – 275 points
- Diego Ponce – 175 points
Back-to-Back Titles for Guillén
Guillén’s AU$5K Mad Max victory came through steady aggression and instinctive reads. “That first win came from playing confidently and trusting my instincts, even with some unconventional decisions. Everything clicked.”
The AU$20K Super High Roller win required resilience after a sleepless night, and ended with Guillén facing teammate Barrios heads-up.
“The second event was different,” he said. “I only slept three hours and didn’t feel at my best, but I ran great and had incredible support from my team. Facing Sergio in the final was surreal. It was one of the most magical moments of the series.”
Mindset and Balance
Guillén, one of Latin America’s most respected professionals, believes mental discipline is as crucial as using poker tools and solver work.
“The game has evolved so much, with solvers and advanced strategies,” he said. “But before diving into the technical side, players need to work on themselves. Mindset and emotional control are everything.”
“Understanding GTO helps me stay consistent, but the real magic is in reading opponents and recognizing emotions.”
Away from the tables, Guillén and Gilmartin balance the demands of poker and family life with their four-year-old son. “Poker teaches self-reflection, but family always comes first,” he said.
Road to the WPT World Championship
Currently second on Mexico’s all-time money list with $2.7 million in earnings, Guillén joked about chasing JC Alvarado for the top spot. “It would be an honor to overtake JC, but he said he’ll come out of retirement if I do, so it’s friendly competition.”
He also praised WPT Global for its balanced gameplay. “The tables are fair and secure. Whether you’re a pro or a recreational player, you’ll always have a good experience.”
After his heroics in Sydney, Guillén now sets his sights on Las Vegas. The WPT World Championship at Wynn begins in December, and Los Jefes’ captain will arrive riding a wave of momentum.
