EPT Paris 2024: Mateusz Moolhuizen Wins FPS Main Event; Two Indians Cash

Following four days of intense grind, the €1,100 PokerStars France Poker Series Main Event at the 2024 PokerStars European Poker Tour (EPT) Paris crowned a winner in Mateusz Moolhuizen. The Dutchman overcame a record-breaking field of 4,149 entries and took home €470,830 for his victory in the largest FPS ever event. This marked the first victory in a PokerStars Main Event for the 34-year old pro.

Winner’s Reaction

“It’s like a dream, to be honest, because I started Day 2 with six big blinds,” Moolhuizen said after his win. “People came to me and they’re like, how are you doing in the main? Well, I’m going to be there two or three minutes and then I’m going to have breakfast.” But those plans changed quickly, as Moolhuizen recalled. “After two hours I had 70, 80 big blinds and I was very, very hungry. So yeah, I had an insane run. Obviously, I was very lucky.”

Among the 619 who returned from the starting field of 4,149 entries across six flights, the Dutch pro started Day 2 with just six blinds and chipped up nicely, amassing a decent stack of 70-80 big blinds within two hours of play. During the thrilling final on Day 4, he started third in chips and consistently performed well, navigating his way to the victory. A little less than 30 minutes into the final day, Moolhuizen scored the first knockout by busting Scott Margereson in sixth place. 

From there, things slowed down until Poland’s Kacper Pyzara was eliminated in fifth position by the start-of-day chip leader Enis Rouissi. Despite entering the day with a commanding chip lead, France’s Rouissi was the next to fall in fourth after his queens ran into the kings of Blaz Zerjav. His fellow countryman Yassine Baqal secured a commendable third position for €210,220) after repeatedly surviving as the short stack.

Moolhuizen reached the heads-up against Blaz Zerjav (runner-up for €294,530) and skillfully defeated the Slovenian. The heads-up battle began with almost even stacks, and the two contenders traded the chip lead several times before Moolhuizen was able to pull away. On the final hand, Moolhuizen shoved with As 7h and was called by Zerjav in the big blind with Ks Qd. The board ran out 10h 5h 5d 6h 2h with four hourts, giving Moolhuizen the title and ending Zerjav’s run in second place.

Team India Performance

The top 619 players were paid out in the tournament and it was a significant event from India’s point of view with two Indians cashing the event, Abhinav Iyer and Ankit Ahuja. WSOP bracelet Iyer winner walked away with €2,170 for his 462nd finish, while 2023 POY India winner and EPT Cyprus Eureka Main Event champion Ahuja secured €1,890 for his 513th place finish in the €1,100 buy-in tournament.

The €1.100 FPS Main Event Final Table Payouts (Euro)

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Image Credit: Poker City and EPT