Entering the final day with a commanding chip lead, Malinov showcased remarkable composure and strategic acumen, leveraging his massive chip lead to systematically dismantle all his five opponents, securing not only the prestigious title but also a substantial prize of €303,190.

A seasoned contender in the European poker circuit, Malinov’s triumph adds to his impressive track record, which includes a commendable sixth place finish for €52,050  at Eureka Prague 2014.

Recap of FPS Main Event at 2024 EPT Monte Carlo

The FPS Main Event at EPT Monte Carlo attracted an impressive 2,096 entries, generating a €2,012,160 prize pool which was shared by 314 players. Some notables to cash were EPT Berlin 2012 winner Davidi Kitai (37th – €5,730), PokerStars Ambassadors Felix Schneiders (62nd – €4,330), Lasse Jagd Lauritsen (216th – €2,150), and Simon Wiciak (268th – €1,850).

Also Read: EPT MONTE CARLO 2024: ANTOINE LABAT WINS MYSTERY BOUNTY, INDIA’S ANKIT AHUJA…

India’s Ankit Ahuja showcased exceptional skill and determination throughout the tournament, representing Team India with pride. He was the only Indian to make it to Day 3 and started the day with 11th in chips among 31 players. After a series of setbacks, his stack came down to just 2.5 big blinds. Despite a valiant effort, Ahuja’s journey finally concluded after his pocket aces were cracked by Atanas Malinov’s queen-nine. The latter won the hand with two pairs, ending Ahuja’s main event run in 23rd place. Ahuja earned €8,720 (INR 7.78 Lakhs) for his efforts. 

FPS €1,100 Main Event Final Table Recap

It took four starting flights and two more days of play to whittle the field down to a final table of six. Malinov started the final table with the chip lead and faced formidable opponents such as Guillaume Nolet and Gabi Livshitz. Local Nice-resident Remy Murcia couldn’t spin his 14 bigs and was the first to exit the table after running into Marco Gambini’s flopped top two pair.

He was followed by Israeli chess international master Livshitz, who doubled with aces before the break but then found himself all-in and at risk against Malinov.

Guillaume Nolet faced a series of setbacks before becoming the next victim of Malinov. The latter jammed as the big stack with Jh 6h and Nolet shoved his remaining stack with Ah Jd. Malinov hit a full house and Nolet was ousted in fourth place.  A few hands later, Malinov jammed with 4c 4h and Marco Gambini called with Ac 9s. Malinov rivered a set to bust Gambini in third place. 

The climactic heads-up battle saw Malinov facing off against Virgile Turchi, with the former ultimately emerging victorious. A couple of quick double-ups helped the Frenchman to gain the momentum, but Malinov then quickly regained control.On the final hand, Malinov shoved on the button with 10s 7s and Turchi called with Kc 7h. The board ran out 8c 6h 10d 4c 6c, giving Malinov the pot as well as the title. Turchi was eliminated in second place for €189,220.

FPS €1,100 Main Event Final Table Payouts

Source: PokerNews/PokerStarsLive

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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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The post EPT Paris 2024: Mateusz Moolhuizen Wins FPS Main Event; Two Indians Cash first appeared on Global Poker News Daily: PokerProNews.com.