Mokri Goes Back-To-Back To Win EPT Barcelona SHR Title, Suvarna Shines for India

The 20th anniversary of the PokerStars European Poker Tour Barcelona concluded the ever-prestigious €100,000 EPT Super High Roller. This Super High Roller has always been one of the main attractions of the series and draws the world’s best players. The latest edition of the tournament was no exception, with an impressive 41 players putting up the €100K buy-in and generating a whopping €3,977,820, which was eventually shared by the top six finishers.

When the dust settled, it was Kayhan Mokri who emerged victorious, claiming his second consecutive EPT Barcelona Super High Roller title. Mokri took home an impressive €1,372,420 for his back-to-back win, nearly doubling the €750,960 he earned from this event last year. This victory marks Mokri’s third EPT title, having also won a €20K buy-in NLHE event just a few days earlier for €259,646. The Norwegian has been in exceptional form, having final-tabled a $25K event at the Super High Roller Bowl Series in Cyprus last month and the €50K EPT High Roller in Monte Carlo this past May.

2024 EPT Barcelona €100,000 EPT Super High Roller Recap

The star-studded field of the EPT Barcelona €100,000 EPT Super High RolleR  had some of the biggest names, including Poker Hall of famer Patrik Antonius, fresh from his Super High Roller victory at EPT Monte-Carlo, Nacho Barbero, recent Cuatro Knockout winner Steve O’Dwyer, EPT Paris Super High Roller winner Thomas Santerne, & WSOP 2024 Super High Roller winner Santhosh Suvarna.

After two full days of intense action, the field was narrowed down to the final six players, including Antonius, Suvarna, Jesse Lonis, Sean Winter, Seth Davies, and Norway’s Kayhan Mokri, who returned on Day 3 to defend his title he had won for €750,960 in top prize money last year.

The second day featured a lengthy bubble phase, with Frenchman Thomas Santerne ultimately being the unlucky player to exit in seventh place. Santerne, winner of the €50,000 Super High Roller at EPT Paris earlier this year, shoved ace-king against Sean Winter’s pocket nines. With no help from the board, Santerne’s  journey came to an end, leaving the final six players to battle it out for the title

After the bubble burst, the final six players returned to compete at the final table on the third and final day. American pros Sean Winter (3,400,000) and Seth Davies (2,755,000) started as the chip leaders, while Kayhan Mokri sat fourth in chips. Despite starting the table as one the shortest stacks, Mokri steadily built his stack and ultimately clinched the title for the second year in a row.

The first player to fall from the final table was the poker hall of famer Patrik Antonius, who had won the €100,000 Super High Roller at EPT Monte Carlo just four months ago. He shoved with king-jack against the pocket sevens of Jesse Lonis whose hand held, ending Antonius’ dream for the back-to-back glory.  

Following Antonius was India’s high roller sensation Santhosh Suvarna who departed in fifth place. The WSOP 2024 Super High Roller champion shoved with ace-queen and was called by Kayhan Mokri with pocket nines. Pocket nines held up, ending Suvarna’s run in the tournament. This finish marked his second EPT final table of 2024, following his third place for € 77,900 in Cuatro Knockout (Event #9).

It took a long time for the fourth elimination of the final table. Finally, the dry spell ended when Seth Davies eliminated Jesse Lonis in fourth place. Following a raise from Davies, the current GPI ranking leader Lonis shoved with As 2s and Devies made the call with Kc Qs. The latter found a king on the flop, which was enough for him to win the pot and bust his opponent.

Sean Winter’s hot run ended during Level 22 as his triple barrel bluff was sniffed out by the hero call of Davies. With just two big blinds left behind the line, Winter finally shoved on the turn of the K-9-2-Q-K board holding Jd 8h against the 4s 2h of Devies and the 10h 6s of Mokri. Winter had a straight draw but the river bickered, ending his run in third and setting up the heads-up for the title.

Quick Heads-Up

Heads-up lasted only two hands, and ended in dramatic fashion. Davies, who held Jd 9d  hit the top two pairs on the Jh 8h 9c flop. Mokri,holding 5h 5d, bluffed and was called by Davies. The tables turned when the 5s fell on the turn, turning Mokri’s bluff into a monster. The two players quickly got their stacks in the middle. The 8c brought no help for Davies and Mokri was crowned as the champion.

2024 EPT Barcelona €100,000 EPT Super High Roller Payouts

Images & Hands Courtesy: PokerNews/PokerStars/EPT